Melanoma Research Institute of Excellence

Michael J. Mastrangelo, MD, Professor of Medicine and Medical Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University/Sidney Kimmel Medical College, and a former Director of both the Division of Medical Oncology and the Solid Tumor Service, passed away on December 6, 2024. Dr. Mastrangelo devoted his professional life to exploring the immunobiology of cutaneous melanoma, with the goal of improving therapeutic outcomes. A fixture at Jefferson for over 40 years, Dr. Mastrangelo was respected and admired by his colleagues and loved by his patients. As an outstanding clinician, he impacted the lives of countless patients with the extraordinary time and care he gave to them. During his career, he received numerous awards and accolades and authored or co-authored two medical textbooks and hundreds of other publications and abstracts. His research has been cited in over 6500 articles.  In his quest to cure a challenging disease, Dr. Mastrangelo mentored generations of doctors and nurses. In 2005, his portrait was commissioned by the Administration and Faculty of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, and it now hangs in the offices of the MRIE. In June 2024, he was formally welcomed as an Inaugural Member of the Jefferson Luminaries. While he will be greatly missed, his work in the field of melanoma will undoubtedly impact generations to come.

A celebration of Dr. Mastrangelo’s life and career will be held on January 17, 2025, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, in the Dorrance Hamilton Building, Connelly Auditorium, on the Center City campus of Thomas Jefferson University; 1001 Locust Street, Philadelphia PA, 19107. 

The MRIE and the SKCCC wish to honor Dr. Mastrangelo’s legacy by establishing the Michael J. Mastrangelo Memorial Lectureship Fund. This fund will support annual lectures on topics relating to oncology and immunology, as well as melanoma research and treatments. Those who would like to contribute to this fund may do so by clicking the link below.