Bhavana Pothuri

Bhavana Pothuri, MD is Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Perlmutter Cancer Center. She is a nationally recognized leader in the clinical investigation of endometrial cancer, with particular expertise in HER2-targeted therapy, mismatch repair biomarkers, and PARP inhibitor combinations. Dr. Pothuri was a co-principal investigator and key contributor to the landmark phase II trial demonstrating that the addition of trastuzumab to carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival in HER2-positive uterine serous carcinoma — establishing a new targeted treatment standard for one of the most aggressive endometrial cancer subtypes. This study provided the pivotal data used by GOG/NRG and regulatory bodies to support trastuzumab use in HER2-positive endometrial cancer. She has also led and participated in multiple GOG Foundation and NRG Oncology clinical trials evaluating PARP inhibitors, checkpoint immunotherapy, and molecularly stratified approaches in endometrial and ovarian cancers. Dr. Pothuri is deeply involved in cooperative group trial design, serving on the NRG Oncology Gynecologic Cancers Committee and contributing to TCGA-guided molecular subtyping initiatives. She is a strong advocate for ensuring equitable access to clinical trials and has contributed to diversity and inclusion research in gynecologic oncology enrollment. She has authored over 120 peer-reviewed publications.