George Coukos

Director, Ludwig Laboratory for Cell Therapy, Walter B. Wriston Chair, Associate Director for Cell Therapy, Meyer Cancer Center & Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine

Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland

About

Prof. George Coukos serves as the Director of the Lausanne branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and of the Department of Fundamental Oncology at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), Switzerland. He is a pioneer in tumor immunology, immune engineering and ovarian cancer. In recent years, Professor Coukos has established Lausanne as a global center of excellence in basic, translational and clinical cancer research, focusing on the development of personalized immunotherapies, including adoptive T-cell therapies and autologous dentritic cell vaccines. The research of Pr. Coukos has highlighted the spontaneous antitumor response in ovarian cancer, challenging previous beliefs and extending its application to other solid tumors. Recently, the development of rational engineering of the higher states of effector T cells for adoptive therapies together with his translational efforts have driven significant clinical advancements, setting new standards in cancer immunotherapy. His visionary approach continues to redefine the future of cancer treatment.

Experience

  • Université de Lausanne (14 yrs)
    • Director Department of Fundamental Oncology
      Oct 2025 - Present · 9 mos

    • Professor
      Jul 2012 - Present · 14 yrs

  • Founder and President, Working Group Cellular Therapy at SAKK Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research
    Nov 2019 - Present · 6 yrs 8 mos

  • Branch Director at Ludwig Cancer Research
    Jul 2015 - Present · 11 yrs

  • Professor & Director at CHUV | Lausanne university hospital
    Jul 2012 - Sep 2025 · 13 yrs 3 mos

    Director, Department of Oncology UNIL CHUV Director, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne Director, Swiss Cancer Center Léman

  • University of Pennsylvania (14 yrs 7 mos)
    • Professor
      Jun 2010 - Jul 2014 · 4 yrs 2 mos

    • Director, Ovarian Cancer Research Center
      Jan 2007 - Jun 2012 · 5 yrs 6 mos

    • Associate Professor
      Jul 2006 - Jun 2010 · 4 yrs