Ryan P. Goepfert

Ryan P. Goepfert is an Associate Professor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he specializes in surgical oncology and radiation oncology. His research focuses on head and neck oncology, particularly carcinoma of unknown primary, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and the use of transoral robotic surgery. Recent breakthroughs include a 2025 *Nature* publication on cancer-induced nerve injury promoting resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy, as well as ASCO guideline development for multidisciplinary care. His work also encompasses radiographic classification of mandibular osteoradionecrosis and international interobserver studies on extranodal extension detection. He has contributed to biomarker analyses of neoadjuvant relatlimab and nivolumab in resectable melanoma, reflecting his collaborative, translational approach to cancer treatment and epidemiology.