Eugene Hwang, M.D., named as William Seamus Hughes Professor of Neuro-oncology and Immunology
Children’s National Hospital named Eugene Hwang, M.D., the inaugural William Seamus Hughes Professor of Neuro-oncology and Immunology. This professorship is the first at Children’s National to focus exclusively on these two pediatric specialties.
Dr. Hwang serves as associate chief of oncology, director of the Clinical Neuro-oncology Immunotherapeutics Program and director of the Neuro-oncology Fellowship Program. He is an associate professor of pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
About the award
Dr. Hwang joins a distinguished group of 42 Children’s National physicians and scientists who hold an endowed chair. Professorships at Children’s National support groundbreaking work on behalf of children and their families and foster new discoveries and innovations in pediatric medicine. These appointments carry prestige and honor that reflect the recipient’s achievements and donor’s forethought to advance and sustain knowledge.
Dr. Hwang has dedicated much of his career to the pursuit of new therapies that improve outcomes for children with brain cancer. He has led many early phase clinical trials on immunotherapeutics, gene therapy and new targeted agents. He participates in international studies focused on reducing harmful side effects of standard treatments. He serves as the principal investigator for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium and co-chairs their Immunotherapy Working Group. Dr. Hwang also lends his time to grant review committees and the scientific advisory boards of several large foundations.
Claire and Kevin Hughes, through their vision and generosity, are ensuring that Dr. Hwang and future holders of this professorship will launch new initiatives to rapidly advance the fields of pediatric neuro-oncology and immunotherapy, elevate our leadership and improve outcomes for children diagnosed with brain cancer.
About the donors
Claire and Kevin Hughes established this professorship with support from community partners in loving memory of their son William Seamus Hughes (Willie). Their dedication to giving all children a chance for life has helped launch groundbreaking trials and research at Children’s National, including one of the first trials in the U.S. to use cell therapy to treat brain tumors.
“Working with Willie meant working with a young man who embodied a resilient, cheerful spirit that was truly remarkable,” said Dr. Hwang. “It meant fighting side-by-side with a walking inspiration, who I continue to remember and who continues to drive the mission of curing childhood brain cancer. I’m deeply honored to ensure that Willie’s spirit and bravery lives on in the promise to other families that face a devastating brain tumor diagnosis.”
