Renowned cancer physician and researcher Dr. Daniela Matei to lead Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center

HOUSTON, TX -- Dr. Daniela Matei, a nationally recognized cancer clinician and translational scientist, will become the next director of the Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center following a national search. She begins in April.

A renowned expert in ovarian cancer treatment and research, Matei currently serves as chief of the Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and is the leader of the Translational Research in Malignancies Program at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Matei has made significant contributions to ovarian cancer biology and therapeutics, earning numerous accolades for her work. An experienced clinical trialist, she has led multiple hypothesis-driven trials in women with gynecologic cancers and has published more than 170 papers, with over 15,000 citations. For the past two decades, she has served on committees of the National Cancer Institute, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Ovarian Cancer NCI Taskforce, the Gynecologic Oncology Group (now NRG Oncology) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

“We could not be more excited to welcome Dr. Matei to lead the Neal Cancer Center,” said Marc L. Boom, M.D., president and CEO of Houston Methodist. “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 succeeds interim director Dr. Nestor Esnaola, who assumed the role in January 2025 following Dr. Jenny Chang’s selection as president and CEO of the Houston Methodist Academic Institute.

“Dr. Matei is an exceptional clinical scientist in ovarian cancer resistance mechanisms, with expertise in translating basic discoveries into clinical trials. Her arrival reflects the strength of our academic and research mission and our commitment to discoveries that move swiftly into practice,” Chang said. “Her vision and perspective will enhance the momentum of our research enterprise and support our shared goal of turning scientific innovation into real world impact for patients.”

Matei’s primary research goal is to bridge laboratory science to the clinic and to advance the discovery of new and innovative concepts from bench to bedside. She is also deeply committed to mentoring and training students, fellows, residents and junior faculty. Her recruitment is supported by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas through a Recruitment of Established Investigator (REI) award for $4 million.

She received her medical degree from the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, Romania, and completed subsequent medical training at SUNY Stony Brook and a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of California, Los Angeles.