PHILADELPHIA (November 3, 2025) — Fox Chase Cancer Center is pleased to announce the hiring of Louis Chai, MD, as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Thoracic Surgery.
Chai joins Fox Chase from Temple University Hospital, where he recently completed a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery and served as a chief fellow. He brings with him a wealth of experience in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, surgical innovation, and translational immunotherapy research, as well as a deep commitment to advancing care for patients with complex thoracic malignancies.
Chai graduated magna cum laude from Brandeis University with an undergraduate degree in biology and minors in chemical biology and Hispanic studies. He then earned his medical degree from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and started his general surgery residency at Hahnemann University Hospital prior to its closure. He returned to Rutgers to complete his residency, where he also served as an administrative chief resident.
As part of his training, Chai also completed two years as a dedicated research fellow at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, Rhode Island, where he contributed to work in regional delivery of CAR-T and checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy for solid tumors and in the study of tumor microenvironments.
Throughout his training, Chai has received numerous awards for his clinical excellence, research endeavors, and dedication to the community. He graduated with a Distinction in Service to the Community award from his medical school, and accolades from his residency include Intern of the Year, multiple Resident of the Year awards, and the Burke Humanism Award. He is a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society and has been recognized for his leadership in student and resident education and program development.
Chai has authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapters, with more than 40 presentations at local, regional, and national conferences. His work has appeared in Cancer Gene Therapy, Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic Surgery Clinics, and Journal of Surgical Research. His research spans areas including lung cancer screening disparities, immunotherapy delivery and responses, and surgical management for complex thoracic disease.
Chai’s tenure at Fox Chase began on October 1.