UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Primo “Lucky” Lara Jr. received the 2025 Giants of Cancer Care award presented by OncLive. For the past 13 years, the award program has recognized national leaders in oncology whose groundbreaking work has significantly advanced cancer treatment and improved patient outcomes.
The 2025 honorees distinguished themselves through innovative therapies and protocols spanning the full spectrum of cancer care. A committee of more than 115 prominent cancer doctors selected honorees for their pioneering achievements in oncology research and clinical care. Lara was recognized for his exceptional contributions to researching and treating people with cancers of the urinary and reproductive tracts.
Lara has led or co-led numerous clinical trials exploring targeted treatments for advanced kidney, prostate and urothelial cancers. His work encompasses the spectrum of phase 1 through phase 3 clinical trials. Beyond drug development, Lara is a strong advocate for increasing access to clinical trials.
In 2023, Lara rose to the level of distinguished professor, the highest campus-level faculty title that can be bestowed at the University of California. He received the honor for achieving distinction in scholarship, teaching and university and public service.
In 2018, Lara received the Faculty Research Award from the UC Davis School of Medicine’s Department of Internal Medicine. He is an active member of several professional societies, including the American Association for Cancer Research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the European Society for Medical Oncology and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.
