Salwan Al Mutar, MD, MSc
Director, Clinical Research
Dr. Salwan Al Mutar serves as Director of Clinical Research at START Dallas–Fort Worth, where he leads early-phase oncology trials and works to expand patient access to innovative cancer therapies across North Texas.
A board-certified medical oncologist, Dr. Al Mutar brings extensive experience in clinical research, translational medicine, and gastrointestinal malignancies. He joins START from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Hematology/Oncology and as an attending physician at the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in advancing early- and late-phase clinical trials, including first-in-human and biomarker-driven studies.
Dr. Al Mutar has served as a principal or sub-investigator on 20+ clinical trials spanning Phase I–III development, with a strong focus on novel therapeutics and combination strategies. His research has contributed to the advancement of treatment approaches in complex and aggressive cancers, particularly within gastrointestinal oncology.
His primary areas of clinical and research focus include Gastrointestinal malignancies (including pancreatic and colorectal cancers); Biomarker-driven and precision oncology approaches; Early-phase and first-in-human clinical trials.
Dr. Al Mutar has authored and co-authored 25+ peer-reviewed publications and abstracts and has presented his work at leading national and international scientific meetings. His research is centered on improving outcomes for patients with advanced cancers through innovative trial design and access to emerging therapies.
At START Dallas–Fort Worth, Dr. Al Mutar works alongside a dedicated oncology research team and in collaboration with partners including OneOncology and The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD) to deliver high-quality, efficient clinical trials. His work supports START’s mission to bring cutting-edge cancer research closer to patients in the communities where they receive care.
