Robert Dilley

I am a physician-scientist and a survivor of childhood leukemia. I currently serve as a Clinical Fellow in Hematology/Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Mass General Brigham in Boston. Prior to this, I obtained a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Johns Hopkins University, followed by an MD and PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Pennsylvania where I studied DNA repair in cancer. I completed Internal Medicine Residency at Massachusetts General Hospital in the Stanbury Physician Scientist Program. My work bridges cancer research, drug development, and advocacy. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, mountain biking, and baseball.

I became a patient advocate because I know firsthand what it means to face cancer. As a teenager, I was diagnosed with leukemia and survived thanks to a clinical trial. That experience shaped my life’s work. I entered medicine and research not only to understand cancer but to transform how we treat it — and how we support those living with it. I believe advocacy must be embedded in every stage of cancer research and care. I joined Inspire2Live to ensure that patient voices shape the direction of oncology around the world.

My focus areas include clinical medicine, cancer biology, drug development, clinical trials, rare cancers, sarcoma, leukemia, and survivorship.