Biography

Dr. Nijhawan is originally from Chicago and completed the medical scientist training program at UT Southwestern in 2005. He then completed a residency in Internal Medicine and clinical fellowship in Medical Oncology before returning to UT Southwestern.

He is interested in using cancer genomics to predict new cancer vulnerabilities. During his fellowship, he used functional cancer genomics to identify novel targets in cancer. He developed a novel strategy to target “passenger” genes as an Achilles heel in ovarian cancer.

At UTSW, he is interested in expanding the list of vulnerabilities and translating these findings into the clinic to improve the treatment of ovarian and lung cancer. Dr. Nijhawan’s interests outside of medicine include cycling, hiking, travel, and sports.

Education
Graduate School
UT Southwestern Medical School (2005)
Medical School
UT Southwestern Medical School (2005)
Residency
Massachusetts General Hospital (2007), Internal Medicine
Fellowship
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (2011), Hematology Oncology

Research Interest
  • Cancer Genomics
  • Chemical Target Identification
  • Lung Cancer
  • Synthetic Lethality

Publications

Featured Publications LegendFeatured Publications

Elimination of Mcl-1 is required for the initiation of apoptosis following ultravioet irradiation
Nijhawan D, Fang M, Traer E, Zhong Q, Gao W, Du F, Wang X Genes Dev 2003 17 1475-86
Cytochrome c and dATP-dependent formation of Apaf-1/caspase-9 complex intitates an apoptotic protease cascade
Li, P, Nijhawan D, Budihardjo I, Srinivasula SM, Ahmad M, Alnemri ES, Wang X Cell 1997 91 479-489

Honors & Awards
  • ASCO Young Investigator Award
    (2007)

Professional Associations/Affiliations
  • American Association of Cancer Research (2007)
  • Conquer Cancer Foundation (2007)