Gloria S. Huang, MD

Gloria Huang, MD, is a gynecologic oncologist who specializes in treating and researching ovarian, uterine and cervical cancer, in addition to other cancers of the reproductive tract.

Dr. Huang says she was drawn to the subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology (which requires several years of additional training) after doing a rotation with a gynecologic oncologist during her medical school training. “I was inspired by the courage of the patients who were facing very challenging illnesses. I wanted to make a difference in women's lives,” she says. “I also saw that there was clearly a need for developing more effective prevention and treatment for these cancers.”

The principal investigator of a federally funded cancer research laboratory, Dr. Huang is interested in discovering treatment options that harness a patient’s immune system to fight cancer through less toxic methods.

With each patient, Dr. Huang notes, she takes an individualized approach. “For many cancers, we have the ability to tailor the care so that fertility, for example, could be preserved for patients who have not had a chance to complete their family,” she says. “There are differences in how we treat cancers on a molecular level based on the genetics of the cancer. We're much better at identifying patients who might have hereditary risk factors, which allow family members who may be at risk to have appropriate counseling and take preventive measures.”

Dr. Huang is an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine.