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BATON ROUGE – The º£½ÇÉçÇø College of Science is honored to announce Dr. Erich Sturgis as the Spring 2025 Commencement Speaker. Dr. Sturgis is a distinguished alumnus of the º£½ÇÉçÇø College of Science and a 2025 inductee into the College of Science Hall of Distinction. A nationally recognized leader in surgical oncology, he currently serves as Professor and Deputy Chair with tenure in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, where he also holds the Brown Foundation Endowed Chair and serves as Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs and Head, Neck, and Thyroid Multidisciplinary Program Director. His career spans decades of excellence in patient care, research, and education, making significant contributions to cancer treatment, particularly in head, neck, and thyroid cancers.

Dr. Sturgis earned his B.S. in Biochemistry from º£½ÇÉçÇø in 1985 and his M.D. from Georgetown University in 1990, followed by extensive surgical training, including an internship at Tulane, a research fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, and specialized fellowships in oncologic surgery and molecular epidemiology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He also obtained an M.P.H. from UT Health Science Center in 2004. 

During his 23-year tenure at MD Anderson, he performed over 4,000 surgeries for complex head, neck, and thyroid cancers while advancing the understanding of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer. His research has identified key genetic predispositions, such as p53 variations, and emphasized the importance of HPV vaccination in cancer prevention.

A recognized leader in his field, he has received prestigious honors, including the ASCO Young Investigator Award and the National Cancer Institute's Outstanding Investigator Award. With over 340 peer-reviewed publications, 60 invited reviews and book chapters, and more than 230 invited lectures, his contributions to cancer research, prevention, mentorship, and education have been profound.

Dr. Sturgis remains deeply committed to º£½ÇÉçÇø and its students. As an advocate for the College of Science’s Prehealth Advising Support and Education (PHASE) Program, he has played a vital role in mentoring premedical students. He was instrumental in securing º£½ÇÉçÇø students' participation in the MD Anderson Summer Externship Program, providing them with invaluable clinical experience. Between 2016 and 2020, 24 º£½ÇÉçÇø students benefited from this initiative, many of whom have gone on to medical and doctoral programs. He frequently visits campus to share career insights and provide mentorship, further demonstrating his dedication to the next generation of healthcare professionals.

The Sturgis family’s legacy at º£½ÇÉçÇø is longstanding. His grandfather, Madison B. Sturgis, was a professor of agronomy, and Sturgis Hall on campus bears his name. Continuing this tradition of giving back, Dr. Sturgis and his wife, Shannan, have been dedicated members of the College of Science Dean’s Circle since 2015. He served as Chair of the College of Science Executive Committee from 2019 to 2022 and has been instrumental in advancing the college’s mission. He also spearheaded the establishment of a $500,000 endowed graduate scholarship in Chemistry and Biochemistry, honoring his grandmother, Adah Proctor Sturgis, and pioneering women in science.

Dr. Sturgis’ impact on the scientific and medical communities, along with his enduring contributions to education and mentorship, underscores his profound legacy as an º£½ÇÉçÇø College of Science alumnus. 

For details about the 2025 Spring Commencement Ceremony, visit /commencement/ceremonies/spring.php.