Christine Lovly, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.S.C.O.

Christine M. Lovly, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.S.C.O., is a professor of medical oncology and the division chief of thoracic medical oncology at City of Hope^® Cancer Center Duarte. Dr. Lovly is an internationally respected lung cancer expert and physician scientist whose research has helped advance targeted lung cancer treatments and other options for patients around the world.

With decades of experience and training in diagnostics and treatments for thoracic malignancies, Dr. Lovly has expertise in a wide range of leading-edge techniques and protocols and brings a wealth of knowledge regarding lung cancer biomarkers, precision medicine and utilization of liquid biopsies to understand the cancer’s unique characteristics.

An elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (since 2017), Dr. Lovly serves in leadership roles with prominent national and international organizations. She is an elected member of the Board of Directors of the American Association for Cancer Research and serves on the Scientific Leadership Boards for the LUNGevity Foundation, GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer Research, Lung Cancer Research Foundation, ALK Positive Patient Advocacy Group and the ROS1ders International Patient and Caregivers Advocacy Group.

Dr. Lovly also serves on several National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines panels, including those for non-small cell lung cancer, mesothelioma and thymus and thymic carcinoma, as well as the American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines committee for use of circulating tumor DNA. She is an editorial board member for Cancer Discovery, Clinical Cancer Research and JCO Precision Oncology. Her research program has received support from the National Cancer Institute, the Damon Runyon Foundation, the V Foundation and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among others. Her original research has been published in leading peer reviewed journals such as Cancer Discovery, Journal of Clinical Oncology and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

In her role as chief of thoracic medical oncology, Dr. Lovly oversees a multidisciplinary clinical care team and a robust clinical and translational research program. She is also committed to fostering strategic partnerships with other institutions to further solidify City of Hope’s leading role in lung cancer innovation and patient outcomes, expanding access to leading-edge lung cancer diagnostics and treatments, including lung cancr imaging and screening. “My approach to caring for people with lung cancer is to pair the best available medical science with compassion, connection and deep concern, treating every patient as if he or she were a member of my own family,” Dr. Lovly says. “I bring deep expertise and evidence-based treatments to every decision, but I never forget that behind every diagnosis is a person and a family facing uncertainty. "I believe in listening closely, speaking honestly, and navigating through each challenge together.”

Originally from Long Island, New York, Dr. Lovly earned her undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and her M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Washington University in St. Louis. She completed an internal medicine residency and a medical oncology fellowship at Vanderbilt University, where she served as Chief Fellow during her final year. Prior to being recruited to lead the lung cancer program at City of Hope, she was a tenured associate professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University and held a joint appointment at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Dr. Lovly has received numerous honors for her research, clinical care, teaching and mentorship. Most recently, she received the 2025 LUNGevity Foundation Face of Hope Award, which recognizes individuals who identify and address the needs of people living with lung cancer. She also received the 2025 William J. Darby Award from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine for translational research that has contributed to meaningful changes in medical practice.

When she is not treating patients or conducting research, Dr. Lovly enjoys dogs, gardening and dancing. She has a deep love for shelter dogs and previously volunteered at her local shelter in Nashville. She looks forward to continuing volunteer work with shelter animals in Southern California.

"I am passionate about sharing my knowledge of lung cancer with the people I care for, delivering personalized care and helping them improve their quality of life. Surrounded by a dedicated team, I am honored to guide and support our patients every step of the way with compassion, clarity and hope.”