Dr. Lukas is a physician and medical director at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Issaquah specializing in medical oncology and hematology-oncology.
I know that patients often feel perplexed by the complexity of their illness and options for treatment. I strive to be the best navigator to chart the most state of the art therapeutic treatment course for every individual patient.
Medical oncology, hematology-oncology, internal medicine, immunotherapy and cancer vaccines
- Physician and Medical Director, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Issaquah
- Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine
- Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley
- PhD: University of Southern California
- MD: Drexel University School of Medicine
- Residency: UW Medicine
- Fellowship: University of California, San Francisco
- Post doctoral fellowship at UCSF, with Dr Elizabeth Blackburn, Nobel Laureate, 2006- 2009
- General Hematology/Oncology on active duty with the US Navy, with deployment to Afghanistan, 2009 - 2013
- General Hematology-Oncology at The Everett Clinic/Providence Regional Cancer Partnership as well as Director of Hematology/Oncology Research, 2013 - 2019
I have always had a passion for patient care, dating back to grade school and nursing animals back to health, like a squirrel who was found out of his nest. Going to graduate school and researching the genetic roots of cancer helped me confirm my decision to pursue a career in oncology.
My father's battle with three separate cancers while I was in residency was a big factor in choosing to care for cancer patients, but also my scientific interest in the genetics of cancer progression proved too strong of a pull for me.
Prior to joining SCCA, I was the Director of Hematology Oncology Research at The Everett Clinic, working in the clinical research arena. In addition, as a graduate student, and afterward, I have published more basic science efforts. I hope to combine both arenas with SCCA Issaquah by bringing some of the bench and bedside efforts at South Lake Union (and across the nation) to SCCA Issaquah.
I've seen two tremendous changes in oncology, one with molecular testing for genetic causes allowing targeted therapeutics and the other being the revolution of immunotherapy. I'm hoping to see the combination of these efforts moving us much closer to the end of cancer.
Outside of caring for patients, I enjoy hiking and camping, among other outdoor activities, as well as photography, travel, black and white cinema and reading.