Dr. David MacPherson studies how mutations in certain genes cause cancer. He aims to translate fundamental discoveries about cancer biology into more effective, targeted treatments for patients. Dr. MacPherson focuses particularly on small-cell lung cancer, a highly aggressive type of lung tumor. His specialty is developing preclinical models of this disease. Such models help researchers understand how different genes contribute to the disease and begin developing new ways to target them. He also works to link specific mutations to exceptional responses to certain cancer treatments. These insights could help better match individual patients and their unique tumors to the most effective treatments.