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Gary L. Clayman, D.M.D., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Professor of Surgery, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Director of Head and Neck Cancer Program, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

Gary L. Clayman, D.M.D., M.D., F.A.C.S., is the Alando J. Ballantyne Distinguished Chair of Head and Neck Surgery and Professor of Surgery in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. He also serves as the Director of the head and neck cancer program as well as Deputy Head of the Division of Surgery for academics at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. After earning his dental and medical degrees, he completed a surgery internship at the University of Minnesota and subsequent residencey in otolaryngology/ head and neck surgery at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Dr. Clayman was promoted to Professor of Surgery in 2000 and awarded his Distinguished Chair of Surgery in 2003. 

Dr. Clayman lectures nationally and internationally on the surgical management of thyroid malignancies. He actively is involved in both basic, translational, and clinical research in thyroid cancer. He has authored more than 190 peer-reviewed publications and serves on the editorial board of several international journals, including Clinical Cancer Research, Laryngoscope, Head and Neck, and Frontiers in Bioscience. Dr. Clayman has consistently been named one of America’s Top Doctors by Castle Connolly as well as Best Doctors in America for over seven consecutive years.  

Research Interests

Identifying the molecular characteristics of aggressive or recurrent thyroid cancer

Developing novel targeted approaches for the management of thyroid cancer

Molecular characterization of thyroid cancer

Office Address

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Department of Head and Neck Surgery
1515 Holcombe Boulevard
Unit Number: 1445
Houston, TX 77030-4009
Room Number: FCT 10.6004
Phone: (713) 792-8837
Fax: (713) 794-4662

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

2006 Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, DMD, Dental Medicine
1991 University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, MS, Immunobiology
1986 Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown, OH, MD, Medical
1982 Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, Cleveland, OH, DDS, Dental
1978 Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, BS, Biology

Board Certifications

1995 Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
1992 Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery (oral)
1992 Joint Council for Approval of Advanced Training in Head & Neck Oncologic Surgery
1992 American Board of Otolaryngology
1991 Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, 1991 (written)

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

Adjunct Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine Voluntary Faculty, Houston, TX, 7/2007-present
Adjunct Associate Professor, Houston Dental Branch, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, 1996-2000

Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities

Deputy Head Division of Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1/2003-present

Endowed Positions

Alando J. Ballantyne Distinguished Chair of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2003-present

Honors and Awards

2005 Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
2003-present Alando J. Ballantyne Distinguished Chair in Head and Neck Surgery
2003-present Best Doctors in America
2002 NEOUCOM Distinguished Alumni, Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine
2001-present Americas Top Doctors, Castle Connolly Medical Ltd.

Professional Memberships

American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Fellow
Fellow, 1995-present
American College of Surgeons-Fellow
Fellow, 1995-present
American Head and Neck Society-Fellow
Fellow at Large, 2003-present
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Member, 1995-present
Endocrine Surgery - American Head and Neck Society
Committee Chair, 2007-present

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Henderson YC, Shellenberger TD, Williams MD, El-Naggar AK, Fredrick MJ, Cieply KM, Clayman GL. High rate of BRAF and RET/PTC dual mutations associated with recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 15(2):485-91, 1/2009. PMID: 19147753.
2. Chattopadhyay C, El-Naggar AK, Williams MD, Clayman GL. Small molecule c-MET inhibitor PHA665752: effect on cell growth and motility in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Head Neck 30(8):991-1000, 8/2008. PMID: 18327775.
3. Ahn SH, Henderson Y, Kang Y, Chattopadhyay C, Holton P, Wang M, Briggs K, Clayman GL. An orthotopic model of papillary thyroid carcinoma in athymic nude mice. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 134(2):190-7, 2/2008. PMID: 18283163.
4. Henderson YC, Fredrick MJ, Clayman GL. Differential responses of human papillary thyroid cancer cell lines carrying the RET/PTC1 rearrangement or a BRAF mutation to MEK1/2 inhibitors. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 133(8):810-5, 8/2007. PMID: 17709622.

Last updated: 9/16/2009