Dr. Stephen Creekmore, PhD, MD

Dr. Stephen Creekmore passed away on June 30, 2026 peacefully at his home in Frederick Maryland. Serving nearly three decades at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), he helped guide research in biologic and immunotherapeutic approaches to treating cancer.

He was Chief of the Biological Resources Branch (BRB), Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP), Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD) since 1987. Steve played a key role in creating the Biopharmaceutical Development Program in 1993, which helped move promising research from the lab toward early clinical studies and large-scale commercial production. Dr. Creekmore’s work at NCI resulted in more than 50 publications, many on topics related to clinical development of cytokines, vaccines, and immunotoxins.

After retiring, he continued to volunteer at NCI serving on peer-review panels for drug development grants and contracts funded by NIH programs outside of NCI.

Steve earned his Ph.D. in Physics from Caltech and his M.D. from UCSF. His research at Caltech contributed to theoretical developments in particle physics.

He is survived by his beloved wife of over 50 years, Jane, and their two children, Robert and Elizabeth. He is also survived by his younger brother, Mark, his sister-in-law, Julie, and their son, Peter. He was preceded in death by his two youngest sons, Matthew and Benjamin.

He is also survived by his five cherished grandchildren-Laura, Kaili, Nicholas, Calvin, and Flora.