Dr. Joe W. Ramos, PhD became the President and CEO of The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in early 2025. TLI is a leading nonprofit biomedical research organization in Los Angeles dedicated to advancing medical research, delivering on our mission to improve patient outcomes through cutting-edge research, education, and community engagement.

Previously, Dr. Ramos was the Director and CEP of the Louisiana Cancer Research Center (LCRC) and Director of the Louisiana State University LCMC Health Cancer Center in New Orleans. Before his time in Louisiana, he was the Interim Director at the University of Hawai’i Cancer Center (an NCI-designated Cancer Center), where he served more than 10 years in various leadership roles through two renewals of NCI designation.

Dr. Ramos grew up in a small town in Virginia and completed his undergraduate degree and his PhD at the University of Virginia Medical School. He went on to do postdoctoral studies at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA. Driven by a passion for research that makes a difference in people’s lives, he works to assemble and lead formidable teams to conduct groundbreaking research, deliver exceptional clinical care, foster education, and engage with communities, all dedicated to addressing the unique needs of local populations.