Harold Varmus

Harold Varmus is an American scientist who made significant contributions to cancer research. He discovered that certain genes, called oncogenes, can cause normal cells to become cancerous. His work helped us better understand how cancer develops at the molecular level. Varmus also served as the director of the National Institutes of Health and shared the 1989 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with J. Michael Bishop for their discoveries. His research has advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment, making a lasting impact on medicine and public health.