Alan Ashworth

Alan Ashworth co-discovered BRCA2 and was among the first to describe synthetic lethality between BRCA mutation and PARP inhibition, providing the conceptual foundation for PARP inhibitor cancer therapy. His research on resistance to PARP inhibitors — including BRCA2 reversion mutations and drug efflux mechanisms — has informed second-line strategies after PARP inhibitor failure. He now leads UCSF's comprehensive cancer center.