David Jones, PhD, is senior director of early translational research and an investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI). He is a professor in the Department of Oncological Sciences at the University of Utah and a co-leader of the Gastrointestinal Cancers Program at HCI. He holds the Dee Glen and Ida W. Smith Endowed Chair for Cancer Research.

Translational research focuses on the development of new ideas and treatments derived from laboratory experiments into actual cancer treatments for patients. Jones is also a professor of oncological sciences and adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

In his lab at Huntsman Cancer Institute, he examines the molecular pathways that cause colon cancer and develops strategies for altering these pathways to prevent or treat this disease.

Jones earned his PhD in pharmacology from the University of Colorado in 1991. Prior to joining Huntsman Cancer Institute, he worked in the pharmaceutical industry as a senior research scientist and program team leader for Pharmacia and Upjohn, Inc., from 1993 to 1997.