Michael E. Kupferman, M.D., M.B.A., FACS
Department of Deputy President & COO, Division of Deputy President & COO
About Dr. Kupferman
Dr. Michael Kupferman is the Senior Vice President of Clinical and Academic Network Development at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. In this role, Dr. Kupferman leads the development, management and growth of clinical oncology and research programs across the Cancer Network, inclusive of domestic and international partnerships. He is a Professor in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, and is an internationally-recognized expert in Head and Neck Oncology, with expertise in the surgical management of pediatric head and neck cancers and skull base tumors. His clinical practice focuses on upper aerodigestive tract cancers, melanoma, salivary gland and skull base tumors, as well as robotic surgery of the head and neck. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and completed residency in Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He completed a fellowship in advanced Head and Neck Surgical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and he received his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. He has published over 125 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters, and his laboratory research in the mechanisms of metastasis has been funded by the NIH, ACS, AHNS, AAO-HNSF and numerous private foundations.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Senior Vice President, Division of Clinical and Academic Network Development, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
MDAPN Surgical Faculty Consultant, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Physicians Network, Houston, TX
Medical Director, The Voice Center, Department of Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
International Disease Site Liaison, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Clinical Consultant, Division of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
Research Interests
Transoral robotic surgery for oropharynx cancer
Targeting the tumor microenvironment in squamous cell carcinoma
Molecular mechanisms of metastasis in head and neck cancer
Clinical Interests
Minimally invasive skull base surgery
Transoral robotic surgery for oropharynx cancer
Malignant melanoma of the head and neck
Benign and malignant salivary gland tumors
Recurrent and metastatic thyroid cancer
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2017 | Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA, MBA, Business Administration |
| 1999 | University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA, MD, Medicine |
| 1995 | Yeshiva University, New York, NY, USA, BA, Political Science, Biology |
Postgraduate Training
| 2014-2015 | Faculty Leadership Academy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2011-2011 | Entrepreneurship Course 2011 sponsored by the Office of Technology Discovery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2010-2011 | Heart of Leadership of the Faculty Leadership Academy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2004-2006 | Clinical Fellowship, Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2004-2005 | Research Fellowship, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2000-2004 | Clinical Residency, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA |
| 1999-2000 | Clinical Internship, Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA |
Board Certifications
| 2005 | American Board of Otolaryngology |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2016 - 2017
Interim Chief, Division of Surgery, Banner - MD Anderson Cancer Center, Gilbert, AZ, 2016 - 2017
Associate Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2017
Associate Member of the Graduate Faculty, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, TX, 2011 - 2016
Assistant Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2012
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
PRS Retirement Board Division Representative, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - 2017
Clinical Site Director, The University of Texas MD Anderson Global Network, San Diego, CA, 2016 - 2017
Clinical Site Director, The University of Texas MD Anderson Global Network, San Antonio, TX, 2016 - 2017
Clinical Consultant, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Global Network, MD Anderson Physicians Network, Houston, TX, 2014 - 2017
Clinical Site Liaison, Banner-MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Global Network, Gilbert, AZ, 2014 - 2017
Leader, Department of Fast-Track Program, Charles and Daneen Stiefel Research Fund, Houston, TX, 2014 - 2017
Clinical Site Director, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Global Network, Gilbert, AZ, 2014 - 2017
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Member, Division of Surgery Multi-Scheduling Task Force, Houston, TX, 2016 - Present
Member, Neurosurgery Skull Base Fellowship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2014 - Present
Member, Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, Houston, TX, 2013 - Present
Neurosurgery Fellowship Faculty, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - Present
Co-Director, Thoracic Head and Neck Research Symposium, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2014
Otorhinolaryngology Residency Program, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Houston, TX, 2006 - Present
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Innovation Advisory Committee, 2016 - Present
Member, Neurotologist Search Committee, 2015 - Present
Member, Resource Utilization: Institutional Credit and Compensation Project Team, 2015 - Present
Member, Research Planning Committee, 2015 - Present
Member, Department of Head and Neck Surgery Design Innovation Team, 2015 - Present
Member, Operating Room Subcommittee of the Medical Practice Committee, 2014 - 2017
Representative of the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Laser Safety Committee, 2013 - Present
Abstract Reviewer, Pew Scholar Award in the Biomedical Sciences, 2013 - 2013
Representative of Head and Neck Surgery and Grant Reviewer, Multidisciplinary Research Advisory Committee, 2013 - 2015
Member, Clinical Effort Standardization and Faculty Incentive Program Committee, 2013 - 2014
Representative of the Division of Surgery, Physician Referral Service Budget and Finance Committee, 2012 - Present
Member, Sub-committee, Faculty Achievement Awards Committee (Faculty Senate), 2012 - 2014
Member, Material Transfer Agreement Faculty Advisory Committee (MTAFAC), 2012 - 2014
Member, Division of Surgery Promotion and Tenure Committee, 2012 - 2015
Representative of the Division of Surgery and the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, eResearch Executive Steering Committee, 2011 - 2015
Member, Clinical Research Committee 3, 2011 - 2016
Member, NCCN Head and Neck Cancers Guidelines Institutional Review Committee, 2011 - Present
Representative of Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty Senate, 2010 - 2016
Representative of Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty Appeals Panel Committee, 2009 - Present
Member, Search Committee for Assistant or Associate Professor, Tenure Track, for Department of Head and Neck Surgery, 2009 - 2013
Member, Tissue Transplantation Committee, 2007 - 2008
Honors & Awards
| 2018 | Top Doctor Award, Castle Connolly Medical Group |
| 2017 | Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor, Castle Connolly Medical Group |
| 2017 | Top Otolaryngologist in Houston, TX, International Association of Healthcare Professionals |
| 2017 | Top Doctor Award, Castle Connolly Medical Group |
| 2017 | Texas Super Doctors, Texas Monthly |
| 2017 | Patients' Choice Award, Vitals |
| 2016 | Texas Super Doctors, Texas Monthly |
| 2016 | Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor, Castle Connolly Medical Group |
| 2016 | Top Doctor Award, Castle Connolly Medical Group |
| 2015 | President's Recognition Award for Faculty Excellence, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2015 | Top Doctor Award, Castle Connolly Medical Group |
| 2015 | Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor, Castle Connolly Medical Group |
| 2014 | Chris O'Brien Traveling Fellowship Award, American Head and Neck Society-Australia-New Zealand Head and Neck Society |
| 2014 | Honor Award, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery |
| 2014 | Patients' Choice Award, Vitals |
| 2014 | Houston's Top 10 Otolaryngologists, Vitals |
| 2014 | Most Compassionate Doctor, Vitals |
| 2014 | Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor, Castle Connolly Medical Group |
| 2013 | Super Doctors Texas Rising Stars, Key Professional Media, Inc |
| 2013 | Top Doctor Award, Castle Connolly Medical Group |
| 2013 | Patients' Choice Award, The American Registry |
| 2013 | Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor, Castle Connolly Medical Group |
| 2012 | Super Doctors Texas Rising Stars, Key Professional Media, Inc |
| 2012 | Travel Grant Award, American Head and Neck Society |
| 2011 | U.S. News Best Doctor Directory, U.S. News and World Report |
| 2011 | America's Top Physicians, Consumers' Research Council of America |
| 2011 | Fellow of American College of Surgeons, American College of Surgeons |
| 2011 | Faculty Teaching Award, Head and Neck Surgery Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2008 | Physician-Scientist Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2006 | Young Oncologist Travel Award, ARS |
| 2006 | AACR-AstraZeneca Scholar-in-Training Award, AACR |
| 2005 | Resident Travel Grant, AAO-HNS |
| 2004 | Annual Resident Research Symposium, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine |
| 2004 | Basic Science Research Award, Philadelphia Laryngological Society |
| 2004 | National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Program, NIH |
| 2004 | Resident Research Award, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania |
| 1999 | Alpha Omega Alpha, Beta Chapter, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine |
| 1996 | NIH Cancer Research Training Grant, NIH |
| 1995 | Margalith Award for Excellence in Political Science |
| 1991 | Joseph and Caroline Gruss Memorial Scholarship |
| 1991 | Samuel Belkin Memorial Scholarship |
| 1991 | Senator Robert C. Byrd Scholarship |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Starnes-Roubaud MJ, Hanasono MM, Kupferman ME, Liu J, Chang EI. Microsurgical Reconstruction Following Oncologic Resection in Pediatric Patients: A 15-Year Experience. Ann Surg Oncol 24(13):4009-4016, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28884452.
- Amit M, Tam S, Abdelmeguid AS, Kupferman ME, Su SY, Raza SM, DeMonte F, Hanna EY. Role of Adjuvant Treatment in Sinonasal Mucosal Melanoma. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 78(6):512-518, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29142805.
- Hansen CC, Smith JB, Mohamed ASR, Mulcahy CF, Wefel JS, Hutcheson KA, Chrane K, Phan J, Frank SJ, Garden AS, Smith BD, Eichelberger H, Anderson C, McCoy C, Horiates M, Patrick C, Floris S, French C, Beadle BM, Morrison WH, Su SY, Lewis CM, Kupferman ME, Johnson JM, Skinner HD, Lai SY, Hanna EY, Rosenthal DI, Fuller CD, Gunn GB, MD Anderson Head and Neck Cancer Symptom Working Group. Cognitive function and patient-reported memory problems after radiotherapy for cancers at the skull base: A cross-sectional survivorship study using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status and the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head and Neck Module. Head Neck 39(10):2048-2056, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28763137.
- Su SY, Bell D, Ferrarotto R, Phan J, Roberts D, Kupferman ME, Frank SJ, Fuller CD, Gunn GB, Kies MS, Glisson BS, Hanna EY. Outcomes for Olfactory Neuroblastoma Treated with Induction Chemotherapy. Head Neck 39(8):1671-1679, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28561956.
- Jiffar T, Yilmaz T, Lee J, Miller Y, Feng L, El-Naggar A, Kupferman ME. Brain Derived Neutrophic Factor (BDNF) Coordinates Lymphovascular Metastasis Through a Fibroblast-Governed Paracrine Axis in the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancer Cell Microenviron 4(2), 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28966935.
- Amit M, Tam S, Abdelmeguid AS, Roberts DB, Takahashi Y, Raza SM, Su SY, Kupferman ME, DeMonte F, Hanna EY. Mutation Status among Patients with Sinonasal Mucosal Melanoma and its Impact on Survival. Br J Cancer 116(12):1564-1571, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28494469.
- Schoppy DW, Kupferman ME, Hessel AC, Bell DC, Garland EM, Damrose EJ, Holsinger C. Transoral Endoscopic Head and Neck Surgery (eHNS) for Minor Salivary Gland Tumors of the Oropharynx. Cancers of the Head and Neck 2(5), 2017.
- Klein JD, Kupferman ME. Li-Fraumeni syndrome presenting as mucosal melanoma: Case report and treatment considerations. Head Neck 39(2):E20-E22, 2017. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27726232.
- Phan J, Sio TT, Nguyen TP, Takiar V, Gunn GB, Garden AS, Rosenthal DI, Fuller CD, Morrison WH, Beadle B, Ma D, Zafereo ME, Hutcheson KA, Kupferman ME, William WN, Frank SJ. Reirradiation of Head and Neck Cancers with Proton Therapy: Outcomes and Analyses. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 96(1):30-41, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27325480.
- Jiang W, Mohamed AS, Fuller CD, Kim BY, Tang C, Gunn GB, Hanna EY, Frank SJ, Su SY, Diaz E, Kupferman ME, Beadle BM, Morrison WH, Skinner H, Lai SY, El-Naggar AK, DeMonte F, Rosenthal DI, Garden AS, Phan J. The role of elective-nodal irradiation for esthesioneuroblastoma patients with clinically negative neck. Pract Radiat Oncol 6(4):241-7, 2016. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26979544.
- Tao R, Ma D, Takiar V, Frank SJ, Fuller CD, Gunn GB, Beadle BM, Morrison WH, Rosenthal DI, Edson MA, Esmaeli B, Kupferman ME, Hanna EY, Garden AS, Phan J. Orbital carcinomas treated with adjuvant intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Head Neck 38 Suppl 1:E580-7, 2016. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25782700.
- Takahashi Y, Lee J, Pickering C, Bell D, Jiffar TW, Myers JN, Hanna EY, Kupferman ME. Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2/neu as a novel therapeutic target in sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma. Head Neck 38(S1):E1926-E1934, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26752332.
- de Almeida JR, Li R, Magnuson JS, Smith RV, Moore E, Lawson G, Remacle M, Ganly I, Kraus DH, Teng MS, Miles BA, White H, Duvvuri U, Ferris RL, Mehta V, Kiyosaki K, Damrose EJ, Wang SJ, Kupferman ME, Koh YW, Genden EM, Holsinger FC. Oncologic outcomes after transoral robotic surgery: A multi-institutional study. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 141(12):1-9, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26402479.
- Su YX, Roberts DB, Hanna EY, El-Naggar A, Saylam G, Frank SJ, Weber RS, Kupferman ME. Risk factors and prognosis for myoepithelial carcinoma of the major salivary glands. Ann Surg Oncol 22(11):3701-7, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25636455.
- Daram SP, Sacks JM, Kupferman ME. Noninvasive intraoperative angiography for reconstruction of head and neck defects. Ear Nose Throat J 94(10-11):E32-6, 2015. PMID: 26535829.
- Davis-Malesevich MV, Goepfert R, Kubik M, Roberts DB, Myers JN, Kupferman ME. Recurrence of cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck after negative sentinel lymph node biopsy. Head Neck 37(8):1116-21, 2015. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24764188.
- Grant SR, Grosshans DR, Bilton SD, Garcia JA, Amin M, Chambers MS, McGovern SL, McAleer MF, Morrison WH, Huh WW, Kupferman ME, Mahajan A. Proton versus conventional radiotherapy for pediatric salivary gland tumors: Acute toxicity and dosimetric characteristics. Radiother Oncol 116(2):309-15, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26232128.
- Jakob JA, Kies MS, Glisson BS, Kupferman ME, Liu DD, Lee JJ, El-Naggar AK, Gonzalez-Angulo AM, Blumenschein GR. A phase II study of gefitinib in patients with advanced salivary gland cancers. Head Neck 37(5):644-9, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 24585506.
- Hutcheson KA, Holsinger FC, Kupferman ME, Lewin JS. Functional outcomes after TORS for oropharyngeal cancer: a systematic review. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 272(2):463-71, 2015. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24643851.
- Bhayani MK, Yilmaz T, Sweeney A, Calzada G, Roberts DB, Levine NB, DeMonte F, Hanna EY, Kupferman ME. Sinonasal adenocarcinoma: A 16 year experience at a single institution. Head Neck 36(10):1490-6, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 23996784.
- Alves MV, Roberts D, Levine NB, DeMonte F, Hanna EY, Kupferman ME. Impact of chemoradiotherapy on CSF leak repair after skull base surgery. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 75(5):354-7, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25276601.
- Gelbard A, Hale KS, Takahashi Y, Davies M, Kupferman ME, El-Naggar AK, Myers JN, Hanna EY. Molecular profiling of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma. Head Neck 36(1):15-21, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23633104.
- Monroe MM, Myers JN, Kupferman ME. Undertreatment of thick head and neck melanomas: An age-based analysis. Ann Surg Oncol 20(13):4362-9, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23975303.
- Cockerill CC, Daram S, El-Naggar AK, Hanna EY, Weber RS, Kupferman ME. Primary sarcomas of the salivary glands: Case series and literature review. Head Neck 35(11):1551-7, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23728801.
- Neskey DM, Klein JD, Hicks S, Garden AS, Bell DM, El-Naggar AK, Kies MS, Weber RS, Kupferman ME. Prognostic factors associated with decreased survival in patients with acinic cell carcinoma. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 139(11):1195-202, 2013. PMID: 24076756.
- Wu X, Bhayani MK, Dodge CT, Nicoloso MS, Chen Y, Yan X, Adachi M, Thomas L, Galer CE, Jiffar T, Pickering CR, Kupferman ME, Myers JN, Calin GA, Lai SY. Coordinated targeting of the EGFR signaling axis by microRNA-27a*. Oncotarget 4(9):1388-98, 2013. PMID: 23963114.
- Sridhara SK, Yener M, Hanna EY, Rich T, Jimenez C, Kupferman ME. Genetic testing in head and neck paraganglioma: Who, what and why. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 74(4):236-40, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24436918.
- Raol N, Hutcheson KA, Lewin JS, Kupferman ME. Surgical management of the non-functional larynx after organ preservation therapy. J Otol Rhin 2:1-6, 2013.
- Davoudi S, Kumar VA, Jiang Y, Kupferman M, Kontoyiannis DP. Invasive mould sinusitis in patients with haematological malignancies: a 10 year single-centre study. J Antimicrob Chemother. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26188039.
- Bell D, Saade R, Roberts D, Ow TJ, Kupferman M, Demonte F, Hanna EY. Prognostic utility of Hyams histological grading and Kadish-Morita staging systems for esthesioneuroblastoma outcomes. Head Neck Pathol. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24806334.
- Amit M, Tam S, Abdelmeguid AS, Kupferman ME, Su SY, Raza SM, DeMonte F, Hanna EY. Patterns of Treatment Failure in Patients with Sinonasal Mucosal Melanoma. Ann Surg Oncol. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29626308.
- Romero Arenas MA, Rich TA, Hyde SM, Busaidy NL, Cote GJ, Hu MI, Gagel RF, Gidley PW, Jimenez C, Kupferman ME, Peterson SK, Sherman SI, Ying A, Bassett RL, Waguespack SG, Perrier ND, Grubbs EG. Recontacting Patients with Updated Genetic Testing Recommendations for Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma and Pheochromocytoma or Paraganglioma. Ann Surg Oncol. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29427212.
- Freeman JL, DeMonte F, Al-Holou W, Gidley PW, Hanna EY, Kupferman ME, Su SY, Raza SM. Impact of early access to multidisciplinary care on treatment outcomes in patients with skull base chordoma. Acta Neurochir (Wien). e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29270681.
- Amit M, Tam S, Abdelmeguid AS, Roberts DB, Raza SM, Su SY, Kupferman ME, DeMonte F, Hanna EY. Approaches to regional lymph node metastasis in patients with head and neck mucosal melanoma. Cancer. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29044491.
- Mays AC, Bell D, Ferrarotto R, Phan J, Roberts D, Fuller CD, Frank SJ, Raza SM, Kupferman ME, DeMonte F, Hanna EY, Su SY. Early Stage Olfactory Neuroblastoma and the Impact of Resecting Dura and Olfactory Bulb. Laryngoscope. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29226334.
- Raza SM, Gidley PW, Kupferman ME, Hanna EY, Su SY, DeMonte F. Site Specific Considerations in the Surgical Management of Skull Base Chondrosarcomas. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28962038.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Stromal Determinants of Lymphatic Metastasis in Head and Neck Center |
| Funding Source: | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Principal Investigator-MDACC |
| Title: | Critical Role of TrkB for Invasion and Metastasis in Oral Cancer |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDCR |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | MD Anderson Cancer Center Support Grant Head and Neck Oncology Program - Project 9 |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Program Member |
| Title: | Overcoming Chemotherapy Resistance Via KiSS1 |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |