The UAB Heersink School of Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of Corey Speers, M.D., Ph.D., as the second holder of the prestigious Merle M. Salter, M.D. Endowed Chair of Radiation Oncology. This appointment was formally approved by the Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama System in June 2025.
"It’s an incredible honor to be named the Merle M. Salter Endowed Chair. Dr. Salter's legacy of excellence in patient care and innovation in radiation oncology set a powerful example, and I’m humbled to follow in his footsteps,” Speers said. “I’m especially grateful to Dr. Jim Bonner, whose visionary leadership as the inaugural holder of this chair shaped the department into a nationally respected program. I look forward to building on that foundation as we expand research, enhance education, and deliver the highest-quality care to the patients we serve."
Speers, a distinguished physician-scientist, brings with him an impressive academic and clinical background. He earned his Ph.D. in 2009 and M.D. in 2010 from Baylor College of Medicine, following a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. He completed his residency training in Radiation Oncology at the University of Michigan, where he later served as both assistant and associate professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology.
An accomplished researcher, Speers is known for his work in breast cancer biology, radiation resistance, and translational oncology. He has received significant funding, including R01 and R21 awards, and has published extensively in high-impact journals such as Journal of Clinical Oncology, Clinical Cancer Research, and Nature Communications.
Beyond his research, Speers has made significant contributions to education and mentorship, training medical students, residents, and fellows. He is actively involved in national professional organizations including the American Society for Radiation Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Association for Cancer Research.
Speers joined UAB in May 2025 as professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology. His appointment as the Merle M. Salter, M.D., Endowed Chair underscores his outstanding achievements and the promise of his leadership in advancing UAB’s mission in patient care, education, and innovative cancer research.
Established in 1995, the Merle M. Salter, M.D. Endowed Chair of Radiation Oncology recognizes excellence in clinical care, research, and leadership in the field. Speers' appointment follows a national search and comes with the unanimous recommendation of the search committee and the full support of UAB and Heersink School of Medicine leadership.