Beth Karlan, M.D.

Beth Y. Karlan, M.D. is Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She holds the Nancy Marks endowed chair in Women’s Health Research and is the Director of Cancer Population Genetics at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research focuses on early detection and precision prevention for ovarian and other gynecologic malignancies as well as on identifying biomarkers to personalize treatments and improve patient outcomes. Recognized as an authority on inherited cancer risk, Dr. Karlan has contributed to the development of treatment guidelines and novel therapies for these patients. To date, her scholarly work has resulted in more than 500 peer-reviewed research publications.

Dr. Karlan is an American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor, a member of the National Academy of Medicine, and the National Cancer Policy Forum. She has served in many national leadership roles including president of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, member of the National Cancer Advisory Board, and editor-in-chief of the scientific journal, Gynecologic Oncology. Her contributions have been recognized by her peers with multiple awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society of Gynecologic Cancer.