Department of Cell Biology

Joan S. Brugge, Ph.D.

Director of the Ludwig Center, Louise Foote Pfeiffer Professor of Cell Biology

Joan Brugge

Dr. Brugge is currently Director of the Harvard Ludwig Cancer Center and Professor of Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School. She received her B.S. degree from Northwestern University, Ph.D. degree from the Baylor College of Medicine, and postdoctoral training at the University of Colorado with Dr. Raymond Erikson. Prior to joining Harvard (Professor 1997-present, Department Chair 2004-2014), Dr. Brugge has held professorship at the State University of New York, Stony Brook (1979- 1988), and was an HHMI investigator/professor at the University of Pennsylvania (1989-1992). Dr. Brugge was also Scientific Director of the biotechnology company ARIAD (1992-1997).

Dr. Brugge has received the NIH Merit Award, American Cancer Society Research Professorship, ASCB Senior Career Recognition Award, as well as elected memberships in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, National Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of Medicine.

Latest Lab News and Events

Check out our lab's latest Nature Genetics paper on new insights into BRCA1 hereditary breast cancer (and read the press release here). Thumbs up to postdoctoral fellow Carman Li and the team!

The lab had a great time at this year's Cell Bio Retreat. The Brugge Olympics Team won a glorious victory at the Halloween costume competition, thanks to an impressive breakdancing performance from our bioinformatist, Jaeyong Kang! 

Celebrating Francesca and Gianmarco. Congrats to the newlyweds!

Fun night out for the Red Sox! 

The lab cheering for Kung-Chi at the Boston Marathon. Way to go Kung-Chi!

Thumbs up to Klarisa and Mayura for presenting their work at the Harvard Research Associate Symposium!