When Micael Lopez-Acevedo, MD, stepped back onto the George Washington University (GW) campus, it felt like a return to familiar ground. Years earlier, he had been part of the GW Cancer Center community, working closely with faculty, trainees, and researchers. Now, as the new Division Director of Gynecologic Oncology, he is eager to build on that foundation and shape the program’s next chapter.
“It feels good to be back,” he said. “GW is a place where I can continue to teach, collaborate, and contribute to research. The community here values academic medicine and supports the work needed to advance it.”
For Lopez-Acevedo, returning to GW is both professional and personal. The academic environment, rooted in mentorship, discovery, and service, reflects the core values that have guided his career. “The main reason I came back is my passion for academic medicine,” he said. “I want to be part of an institution that prioritizes education, research, and patient care in equal measure.”
Educating the Next Generation
One of Dr. Lopez-Acevedo’s top priorities is education. He describes teaching as one of the most meaningful parts of his work, particularly in a field as complex and evolving as gynecologic oncology. “As I’ve grown in my career, I’ve realized how important it is to pass along what I’ve learned,” he said. “Helping medical students, residents, and fellows develop their skills and their confidence is essential to ensuring that patients in the future receive the best possible care.”
At GW, he plans to create more structured opportunities for trainees to work within the division, including participation in surgeries, research projects, and multidisciplinary case discussions. He sees these experiences as critical for shaping physicians who are not only clinically skilled but also curious and adaptable. “Gynecologic oncology requires a balance of precision and empathy,” he said. “Training programs that expose learners to both the technical aspects of the specialty and the emotional realities of cancer care are the ones that prepare them best.”
Dr. Lopez-Acevedo also views mentorship as a two-way exchange. “Teaching isn’t just about giving knowledge,” he said. “It’s about learning from the people around you — students, nurses, researchers, and patients. Each perspective adds something valuable to how we understand and deliver care.”
The Changing Landscape of Gynecologic Cancer Care
The field of gynecologic oncology is undergoing rapid change. New therapies are transforming treatment options for patients with ovarian, cervical, uterine, and other gynecologic cancers. These include targeted drugs, antibody-drug conjugates, and immunotherapy—treatments that use the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells.
“Just four or five years ago, we didn’t have many of these options,” Dr. Lopez-Acevedo explained. “Now, there are multiple new agents that allow us to personalize care. We’re understanding more about the molecular behavior of each tumor, and that’s helping us select treatments that fit the biology of the individual patient.” He sees this progress as both exciting and challenging. “The more treatments we develop, the more questions we have,” he said. “Which patients benefit most? How do we combine therapies safely? How do we ensure access to these treatments across diverse populations? Those are the questions that drive our research and collaboration.”
For Dr. Lopez-Acevedo, those questions also underscore the importance of working across disciplines. He envisions strong partnerships among clinicians, basic scientists, and data specialists to evaluate how new discoveries can improve patient outcomes.
Bridging Science and Practice
Dr. Lopez-Acevedo’s approach to research centers on the idea of translational medicine, the process of moving findings from the laboratory into real-world care. He is particularly interested in collaborations with GW’s basic science researchers, whose work explores cancer genetics, tumor biology, and immune response. “Translational research allows us to take an idea developed in the lab and test it in the clinic,” he said. “It’s how we turn hypotheses into therapies.”
He emphasized that these projects depend on collaboration. “No one advances cancer care alone,” he said. “It takes teams: scientists, clinicians, and patients working together to turn data into better treatment options.”
One ongoing study at GW exemplifies this approach. The surgical trial examines whether removing only the fallopian tubes, where many ovarian cancers are now believed to begin, can reduce cancer risk in women with inherited genetic mutations, while leaving the ovaries intact to preserve hormonal function.
“This research matters because it has real implications for patients’ quality of life,” Dr. Lopez-Acevedo said. “If we can prevent cancer while avoiding early menopause, that’s a meaningful step forward.” He also plans to expand GW’s participation in national research groups, such as NRG Oncology, allowing local patients to access clinical trials that might otherwise be available only at larger cancer centers. “Clinical trials are how we move the field forward,” he said. “They give patients options, and they give us the data we need to refine care.”
Expanding the Program
Since his return, Dr. Lopez-Acevedo has focused on strengthening the division’s clinical services and expanding its reach within the region. He envisions a program that offers patients comprehensive care: surgery, chemotherapy, and access to supportive services, all within a connected academic setting. “We already have a strong base,” he said. “The next step is to grow our clinical volume, add more faculty, and build new research partnerships.”
He is also considering developing a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at GW, which would allow the division to train specialists dedicated to both patient care and research. “A fellowship would be a natural extension of what we do here,” he said. “It would strengthen the pipeline of future leaders in the field.”
Dr. Lopez-Acevedo’s long-term vision aligns with the Cancer Center’s broader goals, including its work toward National Cancer Institute designation. “That’s a collective effort,” he said. “It reflects the quality of the research, the depth of collaboration, and the commitment to improving patient care across the institution.”
A Collaborative Path Forward
Beyond the clinical and academic work, Dr. Lopez-Acevedo is drawn to GW’s sense of community, both within the medical campus and throughout the District. “Washington, DC, is a diverse city, and our patients come from many backgrounds,” he said. “It’s important that our care reflects that diversity and that we continue to reach people where they are.” He believes that commitment to community health, paired with the Cancer Center’s growing research infrastructure, makes GW uniquely positioned to lead. “We have the tools and the people to make an impact,” he said. “This is where I want to be part of that progress.”
As he settles into his new role, Dr. Lopez-Acevedo remains grounded in the balance that first drew him to academic medicine: science, teaching, and compassion. “Each day offers a chance to learn something new and to make a difference,” he said. “That’s what motivates me.”
