Dean Bajorin, MD, is an emeritus member of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. A pioneering figure in genitourinary oncology and clinical trials, Dr. Bajorin is widely recognized for developing novel chemotherapy regimens for germ cell tumors and bladder cancer. His work on risk stratification based on blood-borne biomarkers for germ cell tumors led to more effective chemotherapy treatments. He also played a key role in the development of therapeutic strategies for bladder cancer and contributed to pivotal studies on nivolumab as maintenance therapy following cystectomy for high-risk urothelial cancer.
Dr. Bajorin received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of the Holy Cross in 1973 and his MD degree from New York Medical College in 1978. After completing his residency in Internal Medicine at Hartford Hospital in 1981, he pursued fellowships in Research and Medical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in 1986. This was followed by a fellowship in Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. He joined MSK’s staff in 1986, rising to the position of Member, MH at MSK in 1999 and Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell in 2000.
In addition to his clinical and research achievements, Dr. Bajorin has had a significant impact as a physician-educator. He served as Program Director of MSK’s renowned Medical Oncology Fellowship from 1994 to 2022, mentoring numerous fellows who have gone on to become leaders in oncology. He was also the Principal Investigator for the NCI Investigational Cancer Therapeutics Training Program and National Cancer Institute’s Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) in bladder cancer.
Dr. Bajorin has authored 336 peer-reviewed articles and holds a prominent leadership role in the oncology community, with extensive involvement in committees and boards, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the NCI Bladder Cancer Task Force. His numerous honors include the ASCO Statesman Award, the ASCO Excellence in Teaching Award, and the Willet Whitmore Award for Excellence in Clinical Care.
A Fellow of the American College of Physicians and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dr. Bajorin remains a key figure in shaping the standards of care for genitourinary cancers and mentoring the next generation of oncologists.