Dr. Samir N. Khleif will step down as director of the Georgia Cancer Center.

“I am grateful to Dr. Khleif for his leadership and wish him much future success,” said President Brooks A. Keel. “We have a talented group of clinical and research faculty who will capitalize on the work that has been done to further advance the Georgia Cancer Center’s journey to become the state’s second National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.”

Dr. John K. Cowell, associate director of basic science for the cancer center and leader of the molecular oncology and biomarkers program, will serve as interim director until a permanent replacement is named.

Earlier this year, Dr. Daniel Albo, Distinguished Chair in Surgical Oncology at the Medical College of Georgia, was named director for the cancer center clinical service line, and Dr. Sharad Ghamande, professor and director of gynecologic oncology at MCG, was named associate director for clinical research.

“The interim appointment of Dr. Cowell, coupled with the leaders we already have in place to oversee clinical care and translational research, will ensure a smooth transition for our patients, faculty, staff and visitors,” Keel said.

Khleif joined the cancer center in 2012. Prior to that, he held positions at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, where he served as medical oncology fellow, senior investigator, and chief of the Cancer Vaccine Section.

Following a year of educational and professional leave, Khleif will return to his faculty position in the university’s medical school.