Luka Milas, MD, PhD, former Graduate School faculty member and Distinguished Senior Lecturer, passed away Nov. 11, 2024. He is remembered for his kindness, his service to students, and his exceptional support of faculty.

Milas started his career with MD Anderson as a research project investigator in 1967, performing postdoctoral work in Experimental Radiotherapy. He joined MD Anderson full time in 1980 as a professor and chair of Experimental Radiation Oncology, at which time he also joined the faculty of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He served as a faculty member from 1980 until 2008 and earned the distinction of Distinguished Senior Lecturer from 2009 to 2012. During his years at the Graduate School, Milas became known for his dedication to student success and mentorship.

“He was extremely kind, and very supportive, always wanting his faculty to succeed,” says former colleague Elizabeth Travis, PhD, professor of Experimental Radiation Oncology. “I was the first female faculty member in the department when I joined the faculty, and he worked hard to make sure I felt welcomed and supported in the role.”

In addition to his mentorship and teaching, Milas is remembered for his significant contributions to science, including the development of new cancer therapies and radiosensitizing agents. His work led to the use of concomitant boost radiotherapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer. He was also the first researcher to show that the combination of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX–2) enzyme inhibitors with radiotherapy is selectively toxic to some cancers, and he spearheaded the exploration of the role of COX-2 and its products, prostaglandins, in tumor response to radiation.

Milas’ meticulousness, intelligence, and dedication to investigation led to achievements including novel cancer therapies; the publication of more than 400 scientific articles, book contributions, and reviews; service and leadership on multiple professional boards and committees; continuous NIH grant funding, and many awards and honors.

He will be remembered by those who knew him not only for his science, but for his dedication to students and faculty, and his commitment to treating his department like a family.

“He cherished his family, and I know he thought of our department as another aspect of his family,” says Travis.