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Despina Siolas, M.D., PhD

Medical Oncology

Locations and Appointments

Insurances Accepted

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Personal Statement

My decision to pursue a career in medicine was deeply influenced by my mother’s cancer diagnosis. I became a medical oncologist to care for people with cancer, support them and their family members, and also work on new cancer therapies through my research.I specialize in treating people who have gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including cancer of the colon, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and esophagus. At Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, I collaborate with other experts in gastrointestinal cancer care, including surgeons, oncologists, and gastroenterologists, to provide each patient with an individualized and thorough treatment plan. We’re also extremely active in clinical trials, so patients who come to Weill Cornell Medicine have access to the newest and most advanced treatments, such as immunotherapy.I have focused on treating people with gastrointestinal cancers for many years.  I understand the complex experience of going through a cancer diagnosis and am able to offer my patients support and help manage their symptoms. I also view myself as a patient advocate and part of my patients’ support system—I want the best outcomes for each and every patient. In addition to treating patients, I conduct research on pancreatic cancer and immunotherapy. I belong to the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), and American Medical Association (AMA), and I regularly present my research at the AACR Annual Meeting.

Biographical Info

Dr. Despina Siolas received her Bachelor of Science with summa cum laude honors from St. John’s University. She attended medical school at Stony Brook University, where she was awarded the prestigious E-Trade Financial Scholarship from the Hellenic Medical Society of New York. In addition to her MD degree, Dr. Siolas is the recipient of a Doctor of Philosophy in Genetics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook for studies she conducted in the lab of Greg Hannon PhD, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor, at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. She completed her internal medicine residency training and hematology/oncology fellowship at NYU Langone Health. In addition to treating patients, Dr. Siolas conducts research on cancer genes that influence the immune microenvironment using preclinical models of pancreatic cancer and colon cancer. She has authored numerous publications and has received a prestigious Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) from the National Institute of Health. She is a member of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, the American Association for Cancer Research, and American Medical Association, and Hellenic Medical Society.

Board Certifications
American Board of Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology)
Clinical Expertise
Gastrointestinal Oncology
Stomach Cancer
Esophageal Cancer
Colon Cancer
Liver Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Gallbladder Cancer
Languages
English
Education 
  • M.D.
    State University of New York at Stony Brook, School of Medicine
    2010
  • Ph.D.
    State University of New York at Stony Brook
    2008
  • B.S.
    St. John's University
    2001
Appointments 
  • Assistant Attending Physician
    NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
  • Assistant Professor of Medicine
    Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University

Relationships and collaborations with for-profit and not-for profit organizations are of vital importance to our faculty because these exchanges of scientific information foster innovation. As experts in their fields, WCM physicians and scientists are sought after by many organizations to consult and educate. WCM and its faculty make this information available to the public, thus creating a transparent environment.

Consultant: 
Ciox Health
Zephyr AI, Inc.
Speaker/Lecturer: 
Natera, Inc.