Emese Zsiros, MD, PhD, FACOG

I am committed to redefining how we care for women with cancer, bringing together surgical excellence, innovative therapies, and forward-looking science to improve outcomes and quality of life.

I am Chair of the Department of Gynecologic Oncology and the Shashi Lele, MD Endowed Chair at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, where I serve as a Professor of Oncology. I specialize in the surgical and medical treatment of gynecologic cancers, with particular expertise in minimally invasive approaches and clinical trial development. My clinical philosophy is centered on precision, safety, and thoughtful decision-making, ensuring that each patient receives a personalized treatment plan that integrates surgery, systemic therapy, and access to clinical trials when appropriate.

As a high-volume gynecologic oncologic surgeon, I care for patients across the full spectrum of disease, including advanced and recurrent cancers. I believe surgical excellence is a cornerstone of cancer care, and I work closely with each patient to balance effective cancer control with preservation of quality of life.

In parallel, I lead a nationally recognized clinical and research program advancing next-generation therapies for ovarian and endometrial cancers. My work spans immunotherapy, cell-based therapies, and novel combination strategies designed to overcome treatment resistance. I have contributed to more than 150 clinical trials and played a key role in designing and leading studies that bring new treatment options to patients. This work has helped establish combination therapies now incorporated into national guidelines, reflecting a commitment to translating science into real-world impact.

I also serve as co-leader of the Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Program at Roswell Park within the NCI-designated Cancer Center Support Grant. In this role, I help define research priorities, lead multidisciplinary collaborations, and mentor faculty to accelerate high-impact discovery and clinical innovation.

In addition, I lead efforts in artificial intelligence and data-driven oncology, focused on developing next-generation, trajectory-based models to enable more proactive, personalized cancer care. My work integrates machine learning with clinical, biological, and patient-derived data to better predict disease behavior, guide treatment decisions, and improve outcomes. In parallel, my translational team investigates the tumor microenvironment and immune resistance to improve the precision, effectiveness, and durability of immunotherapy for patients.

I earned my MD and PhD from the University of Debrecen in Hungary, graduating in the top 1% of my class. I completed my OB/GYN residency at Northwestern University in Chicago, followed by fellowship training in Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania. I joined Roswell Park in 2014 and was appointed Chair in 2022, becoming the institution’s first female surgical chair.

I am deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of oncologists, working closely with fellows, residents, and junior faculty. I also serve as a reviewer for national funding agencies, including the National Cancer Institute, and contribute to the NCCN Ovarian Cancer Panel.

My clinical excellence and leadership have been recognized nationally, including my selection as a Castle Connolly 2026 Top Doctor and as a recipient of the Breaking Barriers for Visionary Leadership Award. I have also been consistently named a Top Doctor by Buffalo Spree and received the Buffalo Business First Excellence in Healthcare Award for advancing safer opioid prescribing practices.

Above all, my mission is to move cancer care forward by combining surgical expertise, innovation, and compassion to deliver better, more personalized outcomes for every patient.