Richard C. Zellars, MD is currently the William A. Mitchell Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, Associate Director for Clinical Affairs at the Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center at Indiana University and recently served as the Physician-in-Chief of Cancer Services for Indiana University Health.  A graduate of Bowdoin College and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, he completed his residency in radiation oncology at University of Michigan where he was named chief resident. He then became faculty at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio where he eventually served as Vice Chair. He returned to Johns Hopkins and served as Assistant Director for Clinical Trial Accrual for the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and was promoted to associate professor. In 2015 he joined Indiana University School of Medicine. 

His clinical research addresses the efficacy, facility and safety of radiation therapy for breast cancer.  He designed and completed two phase I trials evaluating partial breast irradiation and concurrent chemotherapy, 1 phase III trial evaluating cardiac perfusion changes in women receiving radiation and another study assessing the use of PET/CT to better plan breast cancer radiation therapy. Currently, his open trials further investigate the role of partial breast irradiation and concurrent chemotherapy, and the possible synergy between PARP inhibitors and pre-operative radiation for breast cancer.  His clinical research prompted the NCI to develop the Breast Oncology-Local Disease Task Force for which he served as co-Chair for 2 terms. 

Dr. Zellars is also the founder and past co-director of the Cancer in the Under-Privileged Indigent or Disadvantaged (CUPID) Summer Fellowship at Johns Hopkins.  The goal of CUPID is to promote the discipline of Oncology in 1st year medical students who have a demonstrated interest in serving disadvantaged populations.  The program, which started in 2005, is still very active and has grown to include Ohio State University and Indiana University Schools of Medicine.  As Co-PI, he was awarded an NCI R25 for a related program to promote the discipline of Oncology to students who are at medical schools without an NCI-designated cancer center. Nationally, he continues to serve as scientific program committee member for American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Radiation Oncology, and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.  Additionally, he is a member of the NCI Breast Cancer Steering Committee, and the NCI Board of Scientific Advisors.  Dr. Zellars is currently pursuing an MBA which he will complete in May 2023.