The National Academy of Inventors named Wafik El-Deiry, MD, PhD, director of the Legorreta Cancer Center and associate dean for oncologic sciences, to its 2024 class of Senior Members. This distinction recognizes his success in patents, licensing, and commercialization and for producing technologies that have brought, or aspire to bring, real impact.

El-Deiry studies mechanisms of therapy resistance with a focus on drug discovery and development. He has 19 issued patents, and discovered and brought a first-in-class small molecule treatment for gliomas into clinical trials. His discoveries have led to the founding of three start-up companies, including one since coming to Brown in 2019, and he remains active in the translation of basic science discoveries into therapies for patients who need them.