Bob T. Li MD, PhD, MPH, FRACP

Bob T. Li is a medical oncologist and physician-scientist who specializes in lung cancers and the development of precision medicines for solid tumors. He understands how devastating a cancer diagnosis can be for patients and their loved ones. Yet he emphasizes that there is hope for extended survival and improved quality of life. His practice is devoted to pursuing that hope through personalized and compassionate care, and by applying the most cutting-edge science to fighting cancer. He tailors treatments to the molecular profile of patients’ tumors as well as their individual circumstances - whether that means offering a proven standard of care or a novel clinical trial. 

Bob T. Li's research focuses on molecular changes in patients’ tumors on a gene or protein level and targeting them with new medicines. He has led numerous pivotal international clinical trials as principal investigator, including “drugging the undruggable” KRAS which has long been considered impossible to treat - and targeting HER2 across multiple types of cancers. Furthermore, He is also co-director of MSK’s multidisciplinary Thoracic Liquid Biopsy Program, which is focused on clinically developing liquid biopsy technologies to optimize early cancer detection and precision cancer therapy. 

As Chief Scientific Officer, MSK Direct, He oversees the research agenda for the institutional digital outreach strategy in expanding patient access to MSK’s expertise. He is also a member of the International Center and serves as MSK’s Physician Ambassador to China and Asia-Pacific, in which he provides administrative leadership in international patient care, as well as research and education programs to advance MSK’s mission abroad with transparency and impact. As a faculty member of MSK and Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, He is committed to educating the next generation of physician leaders, including fellows, residents, and medical students. We cannot fight cancer alone, but through international collaboration, He devotes his career to winning the global war on cancer and bringing real hope to patients.