Yuri Nikiforov

Yuri Nikiforov developed ThyroSeq, the leading next-generation sequencing panel for molecular diagnosis of thyroid cancer in fine-needle aspiration specimens. His research transformed the management of thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology by demonstrating that molecular testing of FNA samples could accurately classify nodules as benign or malignant without requiring diagnostic surgery. He has characterized the mutational landscape of thyroid cancers including the spectrum of RET, BRAF, RAS, NTRK, and ALK alterations detected by ThyroSeq. His molecular diagnostic innovations have significantly reduced unnecessary thyroid surgeries while ensuring accurate cancer detection.