Dr. W. Martin Kast is a professor at the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center (NCCC) at the University of Southern California. He holds the Walter A. Richter Cancer Research Chair and serves as the director of the NCCC Tumor Microenvironment Program, the USC Medical Biology & Infectious Diseases Immunology and Pathogenesis Graduate Programs, the Beckman Center for Immune Monitoring, and the K-12 Cancer Education Program. Additionally, he is the associate dean of academic integrity. He earned his BS, MS, and PhD summa cum laude from the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands. He previously served as secretary/treasurer of the International Papillomavirus Society (2012–2019) and is on the advisory board of six biotechnology companies. His research interests include designing therapeutic cancer vaccines targeting human papillomavirus (HPV) and prostate cancer.
USC Stevens Center for Innovation Commercialization Award 2021
University of Southern California
For licensing invention to 7 biotech companies.
USC Graduate Student Mentoring Award 2021
University of Southern California
USC's highest award for graduate student mentoring 2021
Team Science Award 2020
Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer
Award that exemplifies that team science can bridge multiple fields
Dornsife Award for Exceptional Service 2019
University of Southern California
Award for establishing a large cancer and medical education program for K-12 students
BeHeard Ultimate Prize 2015
Rare Genomics Institute
Award for research that led to the Discovery Channel's documentary on Treemen disease.
Stop Cancer Award 2015
Stop Cancer
Award for research on the immunotherapy of HPV induced cervical cancer
Mellon Graduate Student Mentoring Award 2014
University of Southern California
Award for excellence in graduate student mentoring.
Landsteiner Prize 2012
University of Amsterdam
Award for exceptional research on HPV induced cancers
Career Award 1991
Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
Highest award from the Netherlands for research on oncogenic viruses.
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Research Prize 1991
The Netherlands Cancer Institute
Award for research on cancer inducing viruses.