Dr. Harvey Pass has been dedicated to conducting innovative research for pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer since the start of his career. His research in clinical trials to find groundbreaking ways to diagnose and treat mesothelioma, as well as his tenured experience as a leading thoracic surgeon has allowed Dr. Pass to help numerous mesothelioma patients and their loved ones. He continues his important research at the NYU Langone Medical Center as Vice Chair of Research for the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, as well as passing along his extensive knowledge to future thoracic surgeons as a professor of surgery.

Professional History

Dr. Pass has held many prestigious positions since beginning his medical career. Before beginning his tenure in New York City, Dr. Pass started his career as an assistant professor in the cardiothoracic surgery division at the Medical University of South Carolina. After some time teaching, Dr. Pass was accepted to a fellowship training program at the National Cancer Institute. Upon completion of the fellowship, he served ten years as the Head of Thoracic Oncology for the NCI. Dr. Pass also taught as Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland during the time of his fellowship.

After a decade with the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Pass moved to Detroit to lead mesothelioma research at the Karmanos Cancer Institute from 1996 to 2005. One of his most significant breakthroughs for mesothelioma research occurred during his time at Karmanos Cancer Institute, when his research team identified a protein (osteopontin) that presents at elevated levels in patients with pleural mesothelioma. The discovery allows doctors to use blood tests to diagnose pleural mesothelioma earlier in patients with a history of asbestos exposure. During this time, Dr. Pass was also part of a group that helped lead to the development of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.

Today, he continues his important research in New York City. Dr. Pass is now the Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the NYU Langone Medical Center, as well as Vice Chair of Research, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Dr. Pass also serves as Stephen E. Banner Professor of Thoracic Oncology and a professor in the department of surgery at NYU School of Medicine.

Clinical Interests and Research

During his extensive medical career, Dr. Pass has focused his research into distinct areas, like biomarkers for mesothelioma detection and surgical techniques to treat mesothelioma and various types of lung cancer. His interests have shaped the focus of his clinical trials and research.