Cancer Clinician and Translational Scientist Dr. Daniela Matei will become the next director of the Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center following a national search, Houston Methodist officials announced in a Feb. 27 news release.
Matei will replace interim Director Dr. Nestor Esnaola, who served in the position since January 2025, when Dr. Jenny Chang was selected as president and CEO of the Houston Methodist Academic Institute, per the release.
The details
Currently chief of the Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Matei is an expert in ovarian cancer treatment and research, per the release.
She is also the leader of the Translational Research in Malignancies Program at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and has served on various committees, including:
National Cancer InstituteAmerican Society of Clinical OncologyOvarian Cancer NCI TaskforceGynecologic Oncology Group (now NRG Oncology)National Comprehensive Cancer NetworkMatei received her medical degree from the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, Romania, per the release. She completed medical training at SUNY Stony Brook and a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of California, Los Angeles.
“We could not be more excited to welcome Dr. Matei to lead the Neal Cancer Center,” said Marc L. Boom, president and CEO of Houston Methodist, in the release. “Her expertise will play a key role in advancing translational and precision cancer research at Houston Methodist, and her leadership will have far-reaching benefits for cancer patients, researchers and trainees in our city, across Texas and internationally.”
Matei has contributed to ovarian cancer biology and therapeutics, leading several trials in women with gynecologic cancer and publishing more than 170 papers, with over 15,000 citations, according to the release.
What they’re saying
Chang said Matei’s vision will “enhance the momentum of our research enterprise and support our shared goal of turning scientific innovation into real-world impact for patients.”
“Dr. Matei is an exceptional clinical scientist in ovarian cancer resistance mechanisms, with expertise in translating basic discoveries into clinical trials,” Chang said in the release. “Her arrival reflects the strength of our academic and research mission and our commitment to discoveries that move swiftly into practice.”
What’s next?
Matei will begin her role as director in April, per the release.