2024 Faculty Biographies
Co-chairs
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Hope S. Rugo, MD, FASCO
Professor of Medicine and Winterhof Family Professor of Breast Oncology UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center San Francisco, CA Hope S. Rugo, MD, FASCO, is a medical oncologist and hematologist specializing in breast cancer research and treatment. A Professor of Medicine, Dr. Rugo joined the Breast Care Center in 1999 after a decade of experience at University of California San Francisco (UCSF) in malignant hematology and bone marrow transplantation for a variety of diseases, including breast cancer. She entered the field of breast cancer in order to incorporate novel therapies based on an understanding of the biology of cancer with excellent quality of care into the treatment of women with breast cancer. Dr. Rugo is the Director of Breast Oncology and Clinical Trials Education at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is a principal investigator of multiple clinical trials focusing on combining novel targeted therapeutics with standard treatment to improve the treatment of both early and late-stage breast cancer, and has published widely in this area. Her current research interests include immunotherapy and combinations of targeted agents in the treatment of breast cancer to overcome resistance. In addition, Dr. Rugo has conducted a number of studies focusing on reducing toxicity from therapy, resulting in approval of scalp cooling to reduce chemotherapy induced hair loss, and a steroid mouthwash to reduce targeted agent stomatitis. She is an investigator and the chair of the Safety Committee for the multicenter adaptively randomized phase II I-SPY2 trial, and also serves on the Novel Agents Committee. Dr. Rugo is the co-chair of the Triple Negative Working Group and an active member of the Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium (TBCRC), and is the principal investigator of several TBCRC trials including a multi-center immunotherapy trial funded by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). She is an active member of the Alliance (formerly CALGB) Breast Committee, as well as ASCO, where she serves on the Guidelines Committee and as an editor for the Education Committee. In addition to her research, Dr. Rugo is an active clinician, and is committed to education, regularly lecturing locally, nationally, and internationally on subjects relating to the treatment of and supportive care for breast cancer. At UCSF, Dr. Rugo runs the Breast Forum, an open bimonthly evening educational session for breast cancer patients, families, and friends from throughout the bay area. Dr. Rugo graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1983. She completed a residency in internal medicine and primary care followed by a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of California San Francisco. She was a post-doctoral fellow in immunology participating in laboratory research at Stanford University from 1988-1990. In 1990, Dr. Rugo joined the faculty at UCSF in the Division of Hematology and Oncology. Dr. Rugo has been recognized for her excellence in both patient care and in teaching of both medical students and training physicians. She has received several awards including the Bank of America Giannini Foundation Award and a UCSF Clinical Cancer Center Investigator Research Program intra-mural award. In 2006, she was honored for her work in Breast Cancer Research by the Friends of the Breast Care Center. Dr. Rugo was the recipient of the Women in Oncology Award in 2019 and was awarded the Giants in Cancer Care in Education and Outreach in 2021. -
Julie M. Vose, MD, MBA
Neumann M. and Mildred E. Harris Professor Chief, Hematology/Oncology University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE Julie M. Vose, MD, MBA, is the Neumann M. and Mildred E. Harris Professor and Chief of the Division of Oncology/Hematology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. In addition, she is a past president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Vose received her medical degree, completed her residency in internal medicine as chief resident, and completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. In addition, she completed a sabbatical at Stanford University, and continued her education by obtaining an MBA in Health Administration from the University of Colorado Business School. Dr. Vose has focused her career on translational research improving the therapy of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin’s lymphoma by developing a focused translational research program evaluating novel therapies, such as radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies, idiotype vaccine therapies, pathway-directed agents, stem cell transplantation, and CAR T-cell therapy. Further, her funding record and publications in NHL therapy and transplantation research have substantially added to the research and knowledge base for lymphoma therapy. As a result of her NHL research, Dr. Vose has been recognized nationally and internationally through worldwide research awards and invited lectureships.
Steering Committee
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Sanjiv S. Agarwala, MD (Chairman)
Professor, Temple University School of Medicine Co-Founder, President & CMO Cancer Expert Now Philadelphia, PA Sanjiv S. Agarwala, MD is professor of medicine at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. Dr. Agarwala is nationally and internationally recognized as an expert in melanoma research and treatment and cancer immunotherapy, and he has presented and led numerous conferences and meetings across the globe. He is Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer of Cancer Expert Now, an organization that specializes in cancer education. Dr. Agarwala completed his medical training through residencies and fellowships at the University of Bombay in India, the University of Otago in New Zealand, and the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. Dr. Agarwala has written and contributed to over 200 publications and book chapters on melanoma, immune-oncology, and other research areas. He is board certified in oncology and hematology and is an active member of several professional and scientific societies, such as the American Association for Cancer Research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the European Society of Medical Oncology, and the Society for Melanoma Research. -
Don S. Dizon, MD, FACP, FASCO
Professor of Medicine and Professor of Surgery, Brown University Director, Pelvic Malignancies Program, Lifespan Cancer Institute Director, Medical Oncology, Rhode Island Hospital Associate Director, Community Outreach and Engagement, The Legoretta Cancer Center at Brown University Providence, RI Don S. Dizon is a Professor of Medicine and Professor of Surgery at Brown University. He is a medical oncologist specializing in breast and pelvic malignancies, survivorship particularly as it pertains to sexual health for men and women with cancer, patient engagement, and social media. He grew up on the Pacific Island of Guam, and completed undergraduate and medical school at the University of Rochester in New York. He trained in Internal Medicine at Yale New-Haven Hospital and completed a fellowship in Medical Oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. He is the Director of Pelvic Malignancies and Director of Hematology-Oncology clinics at Lifespan Cancer Institute and Director of Medical Oncology at Rhode Island Hospital. Additionally, he is the Associate Director of Community Outreach and Engagement for The Legoretta Cancer Center at Brown University and serves as the Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Professional Integrity for SWOG Oncology Research Network. He is also the Co-Chief Medical Officer of the nonprofit, Global Cancer Institute. He writes an online column for the journal, The Oncologist, and for ASCO Connection. Dr. Dizon is a founding member of the Collaboration for Outcomes Using Social Media in Oncology and is active on many platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Follow him @drdonsdizon. -
Shane Y. Morita, MD, MS, PhD, FACS
Vice Chief of Staff Medical Director of Surgical Oncology The Queen's Medical Center Honolulu, HI Shane Y. Morita, MD, MS, PhD, FACS, was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii. He received his medical degree from the University of Hawaii/John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). At JABSOM, Dr. Morita also obtained his MS analyzing thyroid cancer in the Filipino community and his PhD investigating cutaneous melanoma in the Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander population. Dr. Morita completed his internship and residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center/David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. He then returned home to be with his father who was diagnosed with terminal cancer and worked at North Hawaii Community Hospital until his passing. He personally witnessed the bravery that his father exhibited in fighting an incurable illness and the dedication that his mother demonstrated during this trying time. Dr. Morita subsequently performed fellowships at the National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health and at The Johns Hopkins Hospital/The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Morita is the Vice Chief of Staff and Medical Director of Surgical Oncology at the Queen’s Medical Center, Associate Professor of Surgery within the John A. Burns School of Medicine, as well as Head of Surgical Oncology for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. He is the Vice President for the Hawaii Society of Clinical Oncology and past Chair for the Hawaii Comprehensive Cancer Coalition. Dr. Morita is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and Member of the Society of Surgical Oncology as well as the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He is the Chief Medical Officer and past Chair of the Board for the American Cancer Society Hawaii affiliate. He is Principal Editor for the Textbook of Complex General Surgical Oncology that is globally distributed by McGraw-Hill Medical. He was selected by Honolulu magazine as the inaugural recipient for the Community Healthcare Leadership Award. He is currently listed as both Top Doctor and Best Doctor in Hawaii. He has been married to Jaimie Tom, MD for over 25 years and has 3 boys-Josiah, Elijah, and Zechariah. -
Luis E. Raez, MD, FACP, FCCP
Luis E. Raez, MD, FACP, FCCP Chief Scientific Officer & Medical Director Memorial Cancer Institute/Memorial Health Care System Research Professor of Medicine I-Health Institute Florida Atlantic University Past President Florida Society of Clinical Oncology Miami, FL Luis E. Raez, MD, FACP, FCCP works as Chief Scientific Officer & Medical Director at Memorial Cancer Institute (MCI)/Memorial Health Care System, he is also Director of the Thoracic Oncology Program. He is Co-Director of the MCI/FAU Florida Cancer Center of Excellence designated by the Florida Department of Health, one of only five cancer centers in Florida. He is also Clinical Professor of Medicine at Florida International University (FIU), Visiting Professor of Medicine at Cayetano Heredia University in Peru and Research Professor at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). He was the President of the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO) 2019-2021. He was an Associate Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology and Public Health, and a Co-Director of Thoracic Oncology at Sylvester Cancer Center/University of Miami for 10 years (2001-2011). He has expertise in medical oncology in the areas of lung cancer, and head and neck cancer. He designs phase I-III clinical trials with new targeted agents and immunotherapy. Dr. Raez does translational research and clinical research. He has been funded by NCI and the pharma industry. He has given oral presentations and lectures in national and international meetings in the US, Europe, Latin-America, Africa and Asia. -
Edgardo S. Santos Castillero, MD, FACP, FASCO
Edgardo S. Santos Castillero, M.D., FACP, FASCO Medical Director- Broward, Florida The Oncology Institute of Hope and Innovation Clinical Associate Professor/Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine Florida Atlantic University Vice-President, Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO) President, FLASCO Foundation Edgardo S. Santos Castillero, MD, FACP practices at The Oncology Institute (TOI) of Hope and Innovation and is Clinical Associate Professor at Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine/Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Santos is the Medical Director at Broward County, Florida for TOI, Vice-President of Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO), President of the FLASCO Foundation, member of the Membership Committee as well as Editorial Group member ILCN of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), member of the Evidence-based Medicine Committee, Head and Neck Guideline Advisory Group and member of the 2023 ASCO-SEP Item Writing Task Force for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Dr. Santos earned his M.D. in 1994 at the University of Panama, School of Medicine, Republic of Panama. He completed his internship and residency training in Internal Medicine at Jackson Memorial Medical Center, University of Miami School of Medicine. Then, he went on to complete his fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida. He was selected “Best Fellow” in Hematology/Oncology Division as well as the Department of Medicine in 2003 and was a recipient of “The Spirit Award” by the American Cancer Society. Dr. Santos has authored or co-authored more than 100 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and serves as reviewer for several scientific publications. His focus and expertise in on lung cancer diagnosis, management, and research. Dr. Santos is a former faculty member of University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida where he held an academic rank as an Associate Professor of Medicine (2008-2012) and Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana (2004-2008). Dr. Santos has occupied several administrative, educational, and research leadership positions including Tulane University Principal Investigator at Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), Associate Scientific Director of Tulane Cancer Center’s Office of Clinical Research, Associate Director of the Fellowship Programs (Tulane University and University of Miami), Chief of the Hematology/Oncology Section at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System, Chair of the Committee Research Advisory Board, Co-Leader of Clinical Research for the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium, Co-Leader of the Head and Neck Cancer Program at Sylvester Cancer Center, Medical Director of Cancer Research at Lynn Cancer Institute/Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Medical Director of Research Services at Florida Precision Oncology/Genesis Care US and member of the Global Lung Cancer Committee/Genesis Care, among others. He is an active member of ACP, ASCO, ASH, AACR, ESMO, IASLC, OLA, and ILBS. -
Rachna T. Shroff, MD, MS
Rachna Shroff, MD, MS, FASCO Interim Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology Professor of Medicine Chief, Section of GI Medical Oncology Leader, University of Arizona Cancer Center GI Clinical Research Team Associate Director of Clinical Investigations, UACC Associate Dean, Clinical and Translational Research, UA-COM Medical Director, Arizona Clinical Trials Network (ACTN) University of Arizona Cancer Center Department of Medicine Division of Hematology/Oncology Tucson, Arizona Rachna T. Shroff, MD, MS, FASCO, is a Professor of Medicine and Chief of GI Medical Oncology as well as Leader of the Gastrointestinal Clinical Research Team at the University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC). She is the Director of UACC’s Clinical Trials Office as well as the Director of the Arizona Clinical Trials Network (ACTN), as well as Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research for UA College of Medicine-Tucson. More recently, most recently appointed Interim Chief of Division of Hematology and Oncology. She came to UACC from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX where she was on faculty from 2010-2018 after completing her medical oncology fellowship there. Dr. Shroff is a clinical and translational investigator focused on developing novel therapies for pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancers. She holds multiple positions nationally due to her expertise in these areas, including serving as the Hepatobiliary subcommittee Co-Chair for the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and as a Leadership Committee member for GI ASCO. Most recently, she was elected to serve on the ASCO Nominating Committee. She also is a member of the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. Dr. Shroff has led numerous clinical trials focusing on pancreaticobiliary tumors and is the national PI for SWOG 1815 which is investigating a triplet chemotherapy regimen as a potential new standard of care for biliary cancers. This is based on a phase 2 study she led that is now published in JAMA Oncology. Dr. Shroff has been invited to speak at national and international meetings on topics related to targeted therapies for pancreatic and biliary cancers and has numerous peer-reviewed publications in this area.
Educational Committee
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Jorge J. García, PharmD, MS, MHA, MBA, FACHE
Jorge J. Garcia, PharmD, MS, MHA, MBA, FACHE Assistant Vice President System Oncology Pharmacy Services Non-Oncology Infusion Center Pharmacy Services Corporate Pharmacy Clinical Enterprise Miami Cancer Institute Baptist Health South Florida Member, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance Miami, FL Jorge J. García obtained his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in 2010. He then transitioned to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) to pursue an American Society of Health-System Pharmacy (ASHP)-accredited PGY-1 & PGY-2 Health-System Pharmacy Administration Residency and a Master of Science (MS) in Pharmacy Administration. He also completed a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) from Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Dr. García has previously served in the roles of inpatient pharmacy operations coordinator as well as director of pharmacy for system wide oncology pharmacy services. Dr. García currently serves as an Assistant Vice President (AVP) at Baptist Health South Florida (BHSF) with responsibility for system-wide acute and ambulatory oncology pharmacy services as well as non-oncology infusion pharmacy services. Dr. García has pioneered pharmacy charge integrity and revenue management in the health-system setting and is a thought leader and national speaker in this area, as well as in the areas of alternative payment models, biosimilars, and value-based oncology care. Dr. García leads advocacy efforts at the national level to promote evaluation of safe and effective use of biosimilars, along with stakeholders’ engagement to support a more sustainable biosimilar pharmacoeconomic model. Dr. García has served as a board member at Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO) since 2015 and is also a previous recipient of the FLASCO Above and Beyond Award, which honored his exceptional dedication and innovative contributions to the society. Dr. García also currently holds multiple committee appoints at the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), including the Oncology Pharmacy Education Network (OPEN) and the National Biosimilar Taskforce. In 2020, Dr. García was also appointed to the Board of Trustees at ACCC. In addition, Dr. García currently serves as faculty for the ASHP Foundation Pharmacy Leadership Academy (PLA). Dr. García is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). -
Tricia Maeda, RN, BSN
Tricia Maeda, RN, BSN RN Clinical Navigator Surgical Oncology The Queen’s Medical Center Honolulu, HI Tricia Maeda, RN, BSN has been a registered nurse for over 10 years at The Queen's Medical Center. She is currently a surgical oncology nurse navigator, after working as an inpatient floor nurse most of her career with focus in orthopedic/med-surg population. She earned her degree at Hawaii Pacific University in Kaneohe, Hawaii. She served six years in the Hawai'i Air National Guard/Georgia Air National Guard. -
Amy Schippers, PA-C
Amy Schippers, PA-C Physician Assistant Cancer Expert Now Morristown, New Jersey Amy Schippers, PA is a physician assistant at St. Luke's University Health Network in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She completed her undergraduate degree in the fast track physician assistant program at DeSales University and then completed her master's degree at DeSales University in 2010. Since graduating as a PA she has been working in the hematology/oncology field and currently specializes in melanoma and squamous cell head/neck malignancies.
Faculty
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Jared D. Acoba, MD
Jared D. Acoba, MD Associate Researcher, University of Hawaii Cancer Center Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine John A. Burns School of Medicine Honolulu, HI Dr. Acoba is an Associate Researcher at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center and provides support in both clinical and translational research with a focus on gastrointestinal cancers. His efforts have been in developing (1) clinical trial protocols utilizing novel immunotherapeutic agents for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers and (2) interventions to reduce racial disparities in cancer treatment. Dr. Acoba also participates in oncology cooperative groups as a member of the NCI Community Oncology Research Program Minority/Underserved Community Site. -
Sanjiv S. Agarwala, MD (Chairman)
Professor, Temple University School of Medicine Co-Founder, President & CMO Cancer Expert Now Philadelphia, PA Sanjiv S. Agarwala, MD is professor of medicine at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. Dr. Agarwala is nationally and internationally recognized as an expert in melanoma research and treatment and cancer immunotherapy, and he has presented and led numerous conferences and meetings across the globe. He is Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer of Cancer Expert Now, an organization that specializes in cancer education. Dr. Agarwala completed his medical training through residencies and fellowships at the University of Bombay in India, the University of Otago in New Zealand, and the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. Dr. Agarwala has written and contributed to over 200 publications and book chapters on melanoma, immune-oncology, and other research areas. He is board certified in oncology and hematology and is an active member of several professional and scientific societies, such as the American Association for Cancer Research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the European Society of Medical Oncology, and the Society for Melanoma Research. -
Manmeet S. Ahluwalia, MD, MBA, FASCO
Manmeet S. Ahluwalia, MD, MBA, FASCO Fernandez Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Cancer Research Chief of Medical Oncology, Chief Scientific Officer & Deputy Director Miami Cancer Institute Baptist Health South Florida Professor of Translational Medicine Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Florida International University Miami, FL Manmeet Ahluwalia, MD is the Chief Scientific Officer, Chief of Medical Oncology, and the Deputy Director of the Miami Cancer Institute (MCI). Prior to his current role, Dr. Ahluwalia served as an endowed professor and physician-scientist at the Cleveland Clinic, where he built a world-class brain tumors clinical trials program. He led several landmark clinical trials in neuro-oncology resulting in over 250 publications. Currently, he is an NIH R01 grant-funded investigator on AI-based radiomics in glioblastoma (3.9 million USD). He serves as a clinical trial leader on an NIH PO1 grant of over 10 million USD focused on gender-specific differences in GBM. Dr. Ahluwalia has been a leader in organized efforts in oncology. He currently serves as the chair of the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) South-West Oncology Group (SWOG) Brain Tumor Working Group and co-chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of SWOG. He also chairs the Scientific Review Committee of the International Gamma Knife Research Foundation. He also serves as a member of the National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) Roundtable Committee and as founder PI of the coordinating site for the International Radiosurgery Research Foundation. He is the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Fellowship of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the National Cancer Institute/CTEP Career Development Award via the American Brain Tumor Consortium (ABTC), ASCO Leadership Development Program and the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin Most Distinguished Physician award. -
Daniel H. Ahn, DO, MS
Daniel H. Ahn, DO, MS GI Medical Oncologist and Associate Professor Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology Mayo Clinic Phoenix, AZ Daniel H. Ahn, DO, MS is a GI Medical Oncologist and Associate Professor in the Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology at the Mayo Clinic. He conducts clinical and translational research focused on developing anti-cancer agents for patients with gastrointestinal cancers. Dr. Ahn collaborates extensively with various scientists and industry partners to design and execute innovative clinical trials, including many first-in-human studies. He also is the Medical Director for the Clinical Cancer Trials Office and lead for the GI Oncology Translational Research Disease Working Group at Mayo Clinic Arizona. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Mayo Clinic-supported cancer research consortium Academic and Community Cancer Research United (ACCRU) and is heavily involved in the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-supported cooperative research group. Dr. Ahn’s research includes a large focus on the incorporation of agents that target the multiple facets of cancer, including genetic and epigenetic drivers, as well as the feeding microenvironment and the immune milieu. His research has also led to the launch of a number of clinical trials, including recent studies investigating novel agents targeting DNA repair mechanisms in the treatment of hepatobiliary malignancies as well as various targeted therapies in advanced colorectal cancer. -
Paul A. Bunn, Jr., MD
Paul A. Bunn, MD Distinguished Professor Division of Medical Oncology James Dudley Chair of Lung Cancer Research University of Colorado Cancer Center Aurora, CO Dr. Paul A. Bunn, Jr. is Distinguished Professor and the James Dudley Chair in Cancer Research in the Division of Medical Oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center of the Univ. of Colorado School of Medicine, where he has practiced and taught since 1984. Dr. Bunn received his B.A. from Amherst College in Amherst, Mass., and received his M.D. from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. He completed an internship and residency at the University of California San Francisco and a fellowship in medical oncology at the National Cancer Institute (Bethesda) Program. He is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. Dr. Bunn served as the Head of the Division of Medical Oncology from 1984-1992 and as the Director of the Univ. of Colorado Cancer Center from 1986-2009. In the IASLC, Dr. Bunn served on the Board of Directors from 1988 to 1994, President from 1997-2000, and CEO from 2004-2014. Dr. Bunn was the President of ASCO from 2002-2003. The author of hundreds of articles, reviews and book chapters, Dr. Bunn’s research is well known in the cancer world. He focuses primarily on novel therapies for lung cancer. Dr. Bunn has led numerous national and local trials regarding the treatment of lung cancer, and his findings are credited with setting standards in the treatment of the disease. Dr. Bunn has researched new personalized therapies for lung cancer that cause fewer side effects than traditional, intravenous chemotherapy. He has also studied the genetics of the disease, seeking to learn how gene therapy could be used to combat the disease. He was the Principal Investigator on the Specialized Program in Research Excellence in Lung Cancer (SPORE) grant funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute from 1992-2019. -
Michael Carney, MD
Michael E. Carney, MD, FACOG Professor and Division Chief Thomas S. Kosasa Endowed Professor Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii Cancer Center Hawaii Pacific Health Honolulu, HI -
Don S. Dizon, MD, FACP, FASCO
Professor of Medicine and Professor of Surgery, Brown University Director, Pelvic Malignancies Program, Lifespan Cancer Institute Director, Medical Oncology, Rhode Island Hospital Associate Director, Community Outreach and Engagement, The Legoretta Cancer Center at Brown University Providence, RI Don S. Dizon is a Professor of Medicine and Professor of Surgery at Brown University. He is a medical oncologist specializing in breast and pelvic malignancies, survivorship particularly as it pertains to sexual health for men and women with cancer, patient engagement, and social media. He grew up on the Pacific Island of Guam, and completed undergraduate and medical school at the University of Rochester in New York. He trained in Internal Medicine at Yale New-Haven Hospital and completed a fellowship in Medical Oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. He is the Director of Pelvic Malignancies and Director of Hematology-Oncology clinics at Lifespan Cancer Institute and Director of Medical Oncology at Rhode Island Hospital. Additionally, he is the Associate Director of Community Outreach and Engagement for The Legoretta Cancer Center at Brown University and serves as the Vice Chair of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Professional Integrity for SWOG Oncology Research Network. He is also the Co-Chief Medical Officer of the nonprofit, Global Cancer Institute. He writes an online column for the journal, The Oncologist, and for ASCO Connection. Dr. Dizon is a founding member of the Collaboration for Outcomes Using Social Media in Oncology and is active on many platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Follow him @drdonsdizon. -
Benjamin Falit
Benjamin Falit, MD, JD Radiation Oncologist and Medical Director Pacific Cancer Institute of Maui Wailuku, HI Dr. Benjamin Falit is a board-certified radiation oncologist and the Medical Director of the Pacific Cancer Institute of Maui. Dr. Falit received a B.A. from Brandeis University, a J.D. from Harvard Law School, and an M.D. from the Yale University School of Medicine. After completing an internship in internal medicine at Yale New Haven Hospital, he trained at the Harvard Radiation Oncology Program in Boston, MA where he saw patients at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. During medical school and residency, Dr. Falit won numerous awards related to both patient care and research. He is well trained in the use of newer and more precise radiation delivery techniques, including intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Dr. Falit has published and been an invited speaker on numerous panels related to health care policy, law and economics. After residency, Dr. Falit practiced in the greater Boston area as an attending radiation oncologist and joined the Pacific Cancer Institute in 2016. Dr. Falit has been married to his wife, Laurel, for 17 years. They have a thirteen-year-old son, Noah, and twelve-year-old daughter, Brooke. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Falit enjoys playing USTA league tennis and coaching his children’s tennis teams. He is also an avid Boston sports fan. -
Jami Fukui, MD
Jami Fukui, MD Associate Professor/Researcher at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center Medical Oncologist at Hawaii Pacific Health-Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children Member of the Hawaii Cancer Consortium Honolulu, HI Dr. Jami Fukui is an Associate Professor/Researcher at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center. She completed her medicine residency and hematology/medical oncology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. She is a Health Disparities Research Institute Scholar at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIHMHD) and serves on the NCI Breast Cancer Steering Committee as the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Representative. Her interests are in breast cancer clinical and translational research, developing clinical trial protocols, and providing cancer care to residents of Hawaiʻi. -
Jorge J. García, PharmD, MS, MHA, MBA, FACHE
Jorge J. Garcia, PharmD, MS, MHA, MBA, FACHE Assistant Vice President System Oncology Pharmacy Services Non-Oncology Infusion Center Pharmacy Services Corporate Pharmacy Clinical Enterprise Miami Cancer Institute Baptist Health South Florida Member, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance Miami, FL Jorge J. García obtained his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in 2010. He then transitioned to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) to pursue an American Society of Health-System Pharmacy (ASHP)-accredited PGY-1 & PGY-2 Health-System Pharmacy Administration Residency and a Master of Science (MS) in Pharmacy Administration. He also completed a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) from Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Dr. García has previously served in the roles of inpatient pharmacy operations coordinator as well as director of pharmacy for system wide oncology pharmacy services. Dr. García currently serves as an Assistant Vice President (AVP) at Baptist Health South Florida (BHSF) with responsibility for system-wide acute and ambulatory oncology pharmacy services as well as non-oncology infusion pharmacy services. Dr. García has pioneered pharmacy charge integrity and revenue management in the health-system setting and is a thought leader and national speaker in this area, as well as in the areas of alternative payment models, biosimilars, and value-based oncology care. Dr. García leads advocacy efforts at the national level to promote evaluation of safe and effective use of biosimilars, along with stakeholders’ engagement to support a more sustainable biosimilar pharmacoeconomic model. Dr. García has served as a board member at Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO) since 2015 and is also a previous recipient of the FLASCO Above and Beyond Award, which honored his exceptional dedication and innovative contributions to the society. Dr. García also currently holds multiple committee appoints at the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), including the Oncology Pharmacy Education Network (OPEN) and the National Biosimilar Taskforce. In 2020, Dr. García was also appointed to the Board of Trustees at ACCC. In addition, Dr. García currently serves as faculty for the ASHP Foundation Pharmacy Leadership Academy (PLA). Dr. García is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). -
Barbara Goff, MD
Barbara Goff, MD Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Professor of Gynecologic Oncology University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Seattle, WA Dr. Barbara Goff received her MD at the University of Pennsylvania and did her residency at Harvard Medical School. She did her gynecologic oncology fellowship at the Massachusetts General hospital and then joined the faculty at the University of Washington in Seattle. She became the Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Washington and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in 2005. Her major research focus has been in early detection of ovarian cancer, surgical skills training, novel therapeutics, survivorship and quality outcomes research in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Dr. Goff is an active gynecologic oncologist performing large numbers of surgical cases, administering chemotherapy, and supportive care for gynecologic cancer patients. Dr. Goff became the president of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology and the Foundation for Gynecologic Oncology in 2013. She served as a Deputy Editor for the journal Gynecologic Oncology for 15 years and she is the Editor of the Gynecologic Oncology section of Up to Date. In the Fall of 2017, she became the Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Washington. Dr. Goff is the PI of the UW K-12 WRHR training grant. She leads a group of over 120 clinicians and scientists and oversees the only academic obstetrics and gynecology residency in the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) region. -
William J. Gradishar, MD, FACP
William J. Gradishar MD FASCO FACP Betsy Bramsen Professor of Breast Oncology & Professor of Medicine Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology Deputy Director, Clinical Network Director, Maggie Daley Center for Women's Cancer Care Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, IL William J. Gradishar, MD, FACP, is a Betsy Bramsen Professor of Breast Oncology and professor of medicine and deputy chief in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the Northwestern Medicine Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He is also director of the Lurie Cancer Center’s Maggie Daley Center for Women’s Cancer Care, where he develops and implements clinical trials. He completed his residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. Dr. Gradishar is a fellow of both the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American College of Physicians, as well as a member of the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Federation for Medical Research. He has held numerous leadership positions at ASCO and has been a member of numerous study sections for funding agencies, including the Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the American Cancer Society. He has served as a consultant to the US Food and Drug Administration’s Oncology Drug Advisory Committee, and he is a member of the Breast Cancer Core Committee of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Dr. Gradishar is a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Clinical Breast Cancer, Current Treatment Options in Oncology, and Oncology. He is the currently the editor-in-chief of NEJM Journal Watch: Oncology and Hematology. -
Matthew Gubens, MD, MS
Matthew Gubens, MD, MS Professor of Medicine Medical Director, Thoracic Medical Oncology University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, CA Matthew Gubens, MD, MS, is Professor of Medicine at UCSF, where he practices as a thoracic medical oncologist and serves as Medical Director of Thoracic Medical Oncology. He is also Vice Chair of the UCSF Cancer Center-wide Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee overseeing scientific review of all cancer research at UCSF. He is particularly active in immunotherapy clinical trials and is the lung cancer liaison to the UCSF Cancer Immunotherapy Program. Dr. Gubens is Chair of the ASCO Evidence Based Medicine Committee which oversees the ASCO Guidelines program, and also co-chairs the ASCO Thoracic Guideline Advisory Group. Dr. Gubens serves on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network panels for non-small cell lung cancer, mesothelioma, and thymic malignancies. Dr Gubens completed his BA at Yale, his MS at the Harvard School of Public Health, and his MD at Stanford, and trained in internal medicine residency at UCSF and then medical oncology at Stanford. -
Scott Huntington, MD
Scott Huntington, MD, MPH Associate Professor of Medicine, Section of Hematology Director, Hematology Outpatient Program Interim Associate Chief Quality Officer, Smilow Cancer Center Yale University School of Medicine New Haven, CT Scott Huntington, MD, MPH is a clinician and researcher at the Yale School of Medicine specializing in the care of patients with lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology) and the Medical Director of Yale Cancer Center's Hematology Outpatient Program. He also contributes as the interim Associate Chief Quality Officer at the Smilow Cancer Center. Dr. Huntington serves as an investigator on clinical trials evaluating novel cancer therapeutics and is an active member of Yale’s Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy, and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, where he leads research focused on improving the delivery of complex cancer treatment during routine care. -
Komal Jhaveri, MD, FACP
Komal Jhaveri, MD, FACP Associate Attending, Breast Medicine Service and Early Drug Development Service Section Head, Endocrine Therapy Research Program Clinical Director, Early Drug Development Service Department of Medicine Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Associate Professor of Medicine Weill Cornell Medical College New York, NY Dr. Jhaveri is an Associate Attending Physician and serves as the Section Head for the Endocrine Therapy Research Program within the Breast Medicine Service and as the Clinical Director for the Early Drug Development Service at MSKCC. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine (DOM) at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. She earned her medical degree followed by a training in nuclear medicine from the University of Mumbai. She later completed her Internal Medicine residency from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Morningside/West) Program in New York and her Medical Oncology/ Hematology fellowship at MSKCC. From July 2012-May 2015, she served as an Assistant Professor in the DOM at New York University and as an Attending Physician at the Langone Medical Center and at Bellevue Hospital. Dr. Jhaveri’s research interests focus on the development of improved therapies for patients with breast cancer, by conducting novel clinical trials integrated with translational biomarker work through acquired biospecimen (cfDNA and tumor) or imaging analyses. She has led the development of PI3K/Akt inhibitors, FGFR inhibitors, ERBB2 inhibitors, oral SERD’s, Antibody-drug conjugates, amongst others. Dr. Jhaveri serves as a member of the ASCO/TAPUR Molecular Tumor Board and is currently a member of the Developmental Therapeutics Track. She is the Co-Chair for the Endocrine Resistance working group within the Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium. Her work has been presented at annual scientific meetings of ASCO, AACR, ESMO, SABCS and has been published widely in many reputable journals. -
Catherine Lai, MD, MPH
Catherine Lai, MD, MPH Associate Professor Physician Leader, Leukemia Clinical Research Unit University of Pennsylvania Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine Philadelphia, PA Catherine Lai, MD, MPH, is an Associate Professor and the Physician Leader of the Leukemia Clinical Research Unit at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Lai specializes in detecting, monitoring, and treating acute leukemia and myeloid malignancies in adults. Dr. Lai’s research focuses on integrating health outcomes into clinical trials with novel therapeutics, with a focus on measuring physiologic age and interventions to improve early mortality and overall survival, minimize treatment toxicity and maximize tolerability to therapy. Prior to joining Penn, Dr. Lai served as the Director of Leukemia at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in Washington, DC. She completed her Hematology/Oncology fellowship at the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Lai received her master’s in Public Health in Epidemiology from George Washington University. -
Glenn Lesser MD, FACP
Glenn J. Lesser, MD, FACP Louise McMichael Miracle Professor in Oncology Associate Chief, Section on Hematology and Oncology Principal Investigator, Wake Forest NCORP Research Base Co-Leader, Neuro-Oncology Research Program, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center Winston-Salem, NC Glenn Lesser MD, FACP, is the inaugural Louise McMichael Miracle Professor and Associate Chief in the section on Hematology and Oncology in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, with joint appointments in the Departments of Anesthesiology, Neurosurgery and Public Health Sciences. He completed his undergraduate education at Duke University, received his MD from the Penn State Hershey College of Medicine and finished his Internal Medicine residency at Wake Forest in 1991. He completed a Fellowship in Medical Oncology at the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center in 1994 and returned to Wake Forest as the Director of Medical Neuro-Oncology in 1995. Dr. Lesser is the Co-Program leader of the Neuro-Oncology Research Program of the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center and the contact MPI of the Wake Forest NCORP Research Base since its inception in 2014. He is also the recently re-elected co-chair of the NCI Symptom Management and Quality of Life Steering Committee. Lesser has extensive clinical trial expertise including serving as the PI, institutional PI or research team member for well over 130 neuro-oncology and symptom science studies. He is the Neuro-Oncology section editor of Current Treatment Options in Oncology and a member of the editorial board of Neuro-Oncology Practice. His clinical and research interests include the development of novel therapeutic agents to treat adult malignant brain tumors and symptom management issues experienced by patients with cancer. -
Sagar Lonial MD, FACP
Sagar Lonial, MD FACP Professor and Chair Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology Chief Medical Officer Winship Cancer Institute Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, GA Sagar Lonial completed his medical degree at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky. He completed his internship and residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas; served as Chief Medical Resident at the Ben Taub General Hospital and the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Hospital; and completed a fellowship in hematology/oncology at Emory University School of Medicine. Board certified in hematology and medical oncology, Dr. Lonial is internationally recognized as a leading authority in multiple myeloma treatment and research. He is involved in numerous professional organizations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, and the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. He is Vice Chair of the Myeloma Committee in the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group and Chair of the Steering Committee for the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium. Additionally, he is on the board of directors for the International Myeloma Society and the scientific Advisory Board for the International Myeloma Foundation. He is also a member of the Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics Research Program at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. Dr. Lonial’s recent research has focused on combinations of novel agents as therapy for myeloma and lymphoma, and particularly on evaluating combinations that may result in synergistic inhibition of the PI3-K/Akt pathway. His lab has recently received funding from the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, the Lymphoma Research Foundation, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Dr. Lonial has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Clinical Oncology and Leukemia; is the myeloma editor for Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma, and Leukemia; and is the hematologic malignancies section editor for the journal Cancer. In addition, he is an invited or ad hoc reviewer for several publications, including Blood, and Haematologica, Clinical Cancer Research, The New England Journal of Medicine, and others. Dr. Lonial’s research focuses on combination therapy in B-cell malignancies focusing on myeloma. He is a trained bone marrow transplant physician with an interest in molecular therapy for lymphoma and myeloma. His clinical interests include evaluating the combination of new molecular targeted agents for B-cell cancers, as well as methods to enhance immunity following allogeneic or autologous stem cell transplant. Dr. Lonial is a member of several local committees as well as a member of several committees for the American Society of Hematology. He is also involved in numerous professional organizations including the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. In addition, he serves on the editorial board of the American Journal of Clinical Oncology and as an invited or ad hoc reviewer for several publications, including Blood, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and Haematologica, Clinical Cancer Research, Leukemia, and others. Dr Lonial has authored or coauthored numerous publications and abstracts and has given several presentations, locally, nationally, and internationally. -
Ravi A. Madan, MD
Ravi A. Madan, M.D. Head, Prostate Cancer Clinical Research Section Senior Clinician, Genitourinary Malignancies Branch Program Director, Physician-Scientist Early Investigator Program Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH Bethesda, MD Dr. Madan's clinical research is focused on prostate cancer. A primary area of interest is to develop a better understanding of how immune stimulating therapies can improve clinical outcomes and be combined with other prostate cancer therapies. Currently, Dr. Madan is investigating the potential of immunocytokines in prostate cancer. In addition, Dr. Madan is also evaluating treatments in patients with early recurrence of prostate cancer after definitive surgery or radiation (e.g. biochemical recurrence). These clinical trials include interventions such as immunotherapy, radiopharmaceuticals, and anti- androgens, but spare the use of testosterone lowering therapy (i.e.androgen deprivation therapy). Dr. Madan is also working to better define the role of PSMA PET imaging in recurrent prostate cancer. Dr. Madan is also the program director of CCR's Physician-Scientist Early Investigator Program. -
Tricia Maeda, RN, BSN
Tricia Maeda, RN, BSN RN Clinical Navigator Surgical Oncology The Queen’s Medical Center Honolulu, HI Tricia Maeda, RN, BSN has been a registered nurse for over 10 years at The Queen's Medical Center. She is currently a surgical oncology nurse navigator, after working as an inpatient floor nurse most of her career with focus in orthopedic/med-surg population. She earned her degree at Hawaii Pacific University in Kaneohe, Hawaii. She served six years in the Hawai'i Air National Guard/Georgia Air National Guard. -
Shane Y. Morita, MD, MS, PhD, FACS
Vice Chief of Staff Medical Director of Surgical Oncology The Queen's Medical Center Honolulu, HI Shane Y. Morita, MD, MS, PhD, FACS, was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii. He received his medical degree from the University of Hawaii/John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). At JABSOM, Dr. Morita also obtained his MS analyzing thyroid cancer in the Filipino community and his PhD investigating cutaneous melanoma in the Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander population. Dr. Morita completed his internship and residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center/David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. He then returned home to be with his father who was diagnosed with terminal cancer and worked at North Hawaii Community Hospital until his passing. He personally witnessed the bravery that his father exhibited in fighting an incurable illness and the dedication that his mother demonstrated during this trying time. Dr. Morita subsequently performed fellowships at the National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health and at The Johns Hopkins Hospital/The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Morita is the Vice Chief of Staff and Medical Director of Surgical Oncology at the Queen’s Medical Center, Associate Professor of Surgery within the John A. Burns School of Medicine, as well as Head of Surgical Oncology for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. He is the Vice President for the Hawaii Society of Clinical Oncology and past Chair for the Hawaii Comprehensive Cancer Coalition. Dr. Morita is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and Member of the Society of Surgical Oncology as well as the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He is the Chief Medical Officer and past Chair of the Board for the American Cancer Society Hawaii affiliate. He is Principal Editor for the Textbook of Complex General Surgical Oncology that is globally distributed by McGraw-Hill Medical. He was selected by Honolulu magazine as the inaugural recipient for the Community Healthcare Leadership Award. He is currently listed as both Top Doctor and Best Doctor in Hawaii. He has been married to Jaimie Tom, MD for over 25 years and has 3 boys-Josiah, Elijah, and Zechariah. -
Alexander Olawaiye, MD, FRCOG, FACOG, FACS
Alexander B. Olawaiye, MD Professor Vice Chair, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Director, Gynecologic Cancer Research Director, Minimal Access Gynecologic Oncology Chair, AJCC Female Reproductive Panel Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Magee-Women's Hospital of UPMC Pittsburg, PA Dr. Olawaiye has been on staff at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital since 2008. He obtained his medical degree at the premiere University of Ibadan, Nigeria in 1991 after which he proceeded to London, United Kingdom where he successfully pursued a post-graduate training in obstetrics and gynecology at the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (RCOG) culminating in him becoming a member of that college in 1998. He subsequently relocated to the USA and went through residency at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo before moving to Boston Massachusetts to undergo fellowship training in gynecologic oncology at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Dr Olawaiye is a dedicated clinician and a passionate clinical researcher. He has served as the director of the gynecologic oncology research program, University of Pittsburgh for the past 7 years during which that program has done exceptionally well. In addition, he belongs to many national and international organizations where he has led and collaborated on multiple projects focused on advancing the field of gynecologic oncology. Dr Olawaiye has numerous publications in the peer-reviewed literature and has authored several book chapters. -
Luis E. Raez, MD, FACP, FCCP
Luis E. Raez, MD, FACP, FCCP Chief Scientific Officer & Medical Director Memorial Cancer Institute/Memorial Health Care System Research Professor of Medicine I-Health Institute Florida Atlantic University Past President Florida Society of Clinical Oncology Miami, FL Luis E. Raez, MD, FACP, FCCP works as Chief Scientific Officer & Medical Director at Memorial Cancer Institute (MCI)/Memorial Health Care System, he is also Director of the Thoracic Oncology Program. He is Co-Director of the MCI/FAU Florida Cancer Center of Excellence designated by the Florida Department of Health, one of only five cancer centers in Florida. He is also Clinical Professor of Medicine at Florida International University (FIU), Visiting Professor of Medicine at Cayetano Heredia University in Peru and Research Professor at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). He was the President of the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO) 2019-2021. He was an Associate Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology and Public Health, and a Co-Director of Thoracic Oncology at Sylvester Cancer Center/University of Miami for 10 years (2001-2011). He has expertise in medical oncology in the areas of lung cancer, and head and neck cancer. He designs phase I-III clinical trials with new targeted agents and immunotherapy. Dr. Raez does translational research and clinical research. He has been funded by NCI and the pharma industry. He has given oral presentations and lectures in national and international meetings in the US, Europe, Latin-America, Africa and Asia. -
Hope S. Rugo, MD, FASCO
Professor of Medicine and Winterhof Family Professor of Breast Oncology UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center San Francisco, CA Hope S. Rugo, MD, FASCO, is a medical oncologist and hematologist specializing in breast cancer research and treatment. A Professor of Medicine, Dr. Rugo joined the Breast Care Center in 1999 after a decade of experience at University of California San Francisco (UCSF) in malignant hematology and bone marrow transplantation for a variety of diseases, including breast cancer. She entered the field of breast cancer in order to incorporate novel therapies based on an understanding of the biology of cancer with excellent quality of care into the treatment of women with breast cancer. Dr. Rugo is the Director of Breast Oncology and Clinical Trials Education at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is a principal investigator of multiple clinical trials focusing on combining novel targeted therapeutics with standard treatment to improve the treatment of both early and late-stage breast cancer, and has published widely in this area. Her current research interests include immunotherapy and combinations of targeted agents in the treatment of breast cancer to overcome resistance. In addition, Dr. Rugo has conducted a number of studies focusing on reducing toxicity from therapy, resulting in approval of scalp cooling to reduce chemotherapy induced hair loss, and a steroid mouthwash to reduce targeted agent stomatitis. She is an investigator and the chair of the Safety Committee for the multicenter adaptively randomized phase II I-SPY2 trial, and also serves on the Novel Agents Committee. Dr. Rugo is the co-chair of the Triple Negative Working Group and an active member of the Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium (TBCRC), and is the principal investigator of several TBCRC trials including a multi-center immunotherapy trial funded by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). She is an active member of the Alliance (formerly CALGB) Breast Committee, as well as ASCO, where she serves on the Guidelines Committee and as an editor for the Education Committee. In addition to her research, Dr. Rugo is an active clinician, and is committed to education, regularly lecturing locally, nationally, and internationally on subjects relating to the treatment of and supportive care for breast cancer. At UCSF, Dr. Rugo runs the Breast Forum, an open bimonthly evening educational session for breast cancer patients, families, and friends from throughout the bay area. Dr. Rugo graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1983. She completed a residency in internal medicine and primary care followed by a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of California San Francisco. She was a post-doctoral fellow in immunology participating in laboratory research at Stanford University from 1988-1990. In 1990, Dr. Rugo joined the faculty at UCSF in the Division of Hematology and Oncology. Dr. Rugo has been recognized for her excellence in both patient care and in teaching of both medical students and training physicians. She has received several awards including the Bank of America Giannini Foundation Award and a UCSF Clinical Cancer Center Investigator Research Program intra-mural award. In 2006, she was honored for her work in Breast Cancer Research by the Friends of the Breast Care Center. Dr. Rugo was the recipient of the Women in Oncology Award in 2019 and was awarded the Giants in Cancer Care in Education and Outreach in 2021. -
Ritu Salani MD, MBA
Director, Division of Gynecologic Oncology Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Los Angeles, CA Dr. Ritu Salani is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist who is a nationally renowned expert in the treatment of gynecologic malignancies with over 15 years of experience. She serves as the Director of Gynecologic Oncology at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her expertise is in providing comprehensive care to patients with gynecologic malignancies with both surgery and the administration of systemic treatment, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy and access to clinical trials. Her clinical care is focused on delivering compassionate care with state-of-the-art medicine and best clinical practices. Dr. Salani has also served as the UCLA Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Director and is dedicated to the education of the next generation of healthcare providers. She has received multiple teaching awards throughout her career and focuses on innovative teaching methods. Dr. Salani’s research focuses on clinical trials with novel therapies, best practices after cancer treatment, and improving patient centered outcomes. She has over 100 peer reviewed publications and is a national and international leader in the field. She is actively involved in professional societies where she has(d) leadership roles including NRG Oncology (Cervical Cancer Committee), National Cancer Institute Gynecologic Cancer Steering Committee (Cervical Cancer Co-Chair), Society of Gynecologic Oncology (Education and Finance Committee) and the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (Education Committee Chair and Secretary-Treasurer). -
Edgardo S. Santos Castillero, MD, FACP, FASCO
Edgardo S. Santos Castillero, M.D., FACP, FASCO Medical Director- Broward, Florida The Oncology Institute of Hope and Innovation Clinical Associate Professor/Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine Florida Atlantic University Vice-President, Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO) President, FLASCO Foundation Edgardo S. Santos Castillero, MD, FACP practices at The Oncology Institute (TOI) of Hope and Innovation and is Clinical Associate Professor at Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine/Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Santos is the Medical Director at Broward County, Florida for TOI, Vice-President of Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO), President of the FLASCO Foundation, member of the Membership Committee as well as Editorial Group member ILCN of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), member of the Evidence-based Medicine Committee, Head and Neck Guideline Advisory Group and member of the 2023 ASCO-SEP Item Writing Task Force for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Dr. Santos earned his M.D. in 1994 at the University of Panama, School of Medicine, Republic of Panama. He completed his internship and residency training in Internal Medicine at Jackson Memorial Medical Center, University of Miami School of Medicine. Then, he went on to complete his fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida. He was selected “Best Fellow” in Hematology/Oncology Division as well as the Department of Medicine in 2003 and was a recipient of “The Spirit Award” by the American Cancer Society. Dr. Santos has authored or co-authored more than 100 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and serves as reviewer for several scientific publications. His focus and expertise in on lung cancer diagnosis, management, and research. Dr. Santos is a former faculty member of University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida where he held an academic rank as an Associate Professor of Medicine (2008-2012) and Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana (2004-2008). Dr. Santos has occupied several administrative, educational, and research leadership positions including Tulane University Principal Investigator at Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), Associate Scientific Director of Tulane Cancer Center’s Office of Clinical Research, Associate Director of the Fellowship Programs (Tulane University and University of Miami), Chief of the Hematology/Oncology Section at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System, Chair of the Committee Research Advisory Board, Co-Leader of Clinical Research for the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium, Co-Leader of the Head and Neck Cancer Program at Sylvester Cancer Center, Medical Director of Cancer Research at Lynn Cancer Institute/Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Medical Director of Research Services at Florida Precision Oncology/Genesis Care US and member of the Global Lung Cancer Committee/Genesis Care, among others. He is an active member of ACP, ASCO, ASH, AACR, ESMO, IASLC, OLA, and ILBS. -
Priyanka Sharma, MD
Priyanka Sharma, MD Frank B. Tyler Professor in Cancer Research Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine University of Kansas Medical Center Co-Program Leader Drug Discovery, Delivery and Experimental Therapeutics program University of Kansas Cancer Center Westwood, KS Priyanka Sharma, MD, is Professor of Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center, as well as Assistant Director of Clinical Research and co-program Leader for the Drug Discovery, Delivery & Experimental Therapeutics program at the University of Kansas Cancer Center. She is the institutional principal investigator for SWOG and co-PI for The University of Kansas Cancer Center – Masonic Cancer Alliance NCORP (NCI Community Oncology Research Program Minority/Underserved UG1). Dr. Sharma’s research interests include clinical and translational research in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and assessment of novel therapeutic strategies for breast cancer. She has led several investigator-initiated trials assessing novel therapeutic agents for breast cancer and continues to serve as principal investigator for many ongoing breast cancer trials. Dr. Sharma is the recipient of several grants including the Department of Defense (DOD) Breakthrough grant, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Advanced Clinical Research Award, The Mary Kay Foundation grant, and SWOG ITSC grant. Dr. Sharma is Vice-Chair of the SWOG Breast Committee and is a member of the SWOG Board of Governors and the NCI Breast Cancer Steering Committee. She currently serves on the ASCO Research Committee and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Breast Expert Panel. -
Rachna T. Shroff, MD, MS
Rachna Shroff, MD, MS, FASCO Interim Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology Professor of Medicine Chief, Section of GI Medical Oncology Leader, University of Arizona Cancer Center GI Clinical Research Team Associate Director of Clinical Investigations, UACC Associate Dean, Clinical and Translational Research, UA-COM Medical Director, Arizona Clinical Trials Network (ACTN) University of Arizona Cancer Center Department of Medicine Division of Hematology/Oncology Tucson, Arizona Rachna T. Shroff, MD, MS, FASCO, is a Professor of Medicine and Chief of GI Medical Oncology as well as Leader of the Gastrointestinal Clinical Research Team at the University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC). She is the Director of UACC’s Clinical Trials Office as well as the Director of the Arizona Clinical Trials Network (ACTN), as well as Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research for UA College of Medicine-Tucson. More recently, most recently appointed Interim Chief of Division of Hematology and Oncology. She came to UACC from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX where she was on faculty from 2010-2018 after completing her medical oncology fellowship there. Dr. Shroff is a clinical and translational investigator focused on developing novel therapies for pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancers. She holds multiple positions nationally due to her expertise in these areas, including serving as the Hepatobiliary subcommittee Co-Chair for the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and as a Leadership Committee member for GI ASCO. Most recently, she was elected to serve on the ASCO Nominating Committee. She also is a member of the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. Dr. Shroff has led numerous clinical trials focusing on pancreaticobiliary tumors and is the national PI for SWOG 1815 which is investigating a triplet chemotherapy regimen as a potential new standard of care for biliary cancers. This is based on a phase 2 study she led that is now published in JAMA Oncology. Dr. Shroff has been invited to speak at national and international meetings on topics related to targeted therapies for pancreatic and biliary cancers and has numerous peer-reviewed publications in this area. -
Guru P. Sonpavde, MD
Guru P. Sonpavde, MD Genitourinary Oncology & Phase I Research Director Christopher K. Glanz Chair for Bladder Cancer Research AdventHealth Cancer Institute Professor of Medicine, University of Central Florida Orlando FL Guru P. Sonpavde, MD is the Director of Genitourinary (GU) Oncology and Phase I Research as well as the Christopher K. Glanz Chair for Bladder Cancer Research at the AdventHealth Cancer Institute, Orlando, Florida. Additionally, he holds a position of Professor of Medicine at the University of Central Florida. Previously, he was Bladder Cancer Director at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School from 2017-2022, GU Oncology Director and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham from 2012 to 2017 and practiced from 2004 to 2012 at Texas Oncology, a US Oncology affiliate. His focus is drug development (including early development Phase I clinical trials and later Phase II/III trials) evaluating immunotherapy, targeted therapy, antibody-drug-conjugates and other novel and emerging classes of treatments (e.g., Bi-Specific T-cell engagers, CAR-T cells) across solid tumors and clinical/translational research to cure GU cancers with a focus on bladder cancer. He serves on the steering committees of several pivotal phase III trials evaluating treatments for bladder cancer. Under his leadership, the Phase I and GU Oncology program have grown robustly at the AdventHealth Cancer Institute. His research efforts have led to ~500 publications. He also enjoys interacting with medical residents and fellows in order to teach and mentor research projects leading to presentations and publications. He is a member of Southwest Oncology Group, Scientific Advisory Board of the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN), and the Bladder Cancer Task Force of U.S. NCI GU Steering Committee. He was often contributed to or has been cited in video and written cancer education portals including Uptodate®, Practice Update, Onclive, Physician Education Resource (PER) and Research to Practice. He has also been cited in several lay magazine articles notably in TIME magazine regarding participation in clinical trials in August 2022: https://time.com/6210644/bladder-cancer-clinical-trials/. -
Ulka Vaishampayan, M.D. FAB
Ulka Vaishampayan, M.D. FAB Professor, Internal Medicine Division of Hematology/ Oncology University of Michigan Chair, Phase I Therapeutics, Rogel Cancer Center Co-Leader TACR Program, Rogel Cancer Center Ambulatory Clinical Care Chief, Medical Oncology Ann Arbor, MI Dr. Vaishampayan is a Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and her research is primarily in translational drug development and early phase clinical trials in cancer with a focus on genitourinary malignancies. She is the Director of the Multi-tumor Experimental Therapeutics Team/ Phase I program and is co-leader of the Translational and Clinical Research Program (TACR) at the Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI. She has initiated, obtained funding for, and conducted and published many investigator-initiated trials with embedded biomarkers and established multidisciplinary collaboration. She is currently PI of the Dept of Defense Kidney Cancer Consortium award (UMPAKT) and is co-PI of the Prostate Cancer challenge Award. She is PI of a national SWOG trial in kidney cancer: S1931/PROBE trial. She has served as site PI of the UO-1 Early Therapeutics Research Grant at Wayne State University. She was also the chair of the solid tumor division of oncology at Wayne State University until 2020. She has completed formal leadership training course and is Fellow of the Advisory Board (FAB). She was appointed Chief of the Ambulatory Care Center for Medical Oncology in 2020. She is the appointed chair of the Advanced Renal committee of SWOG and a member of the Renal task force of the NCI. She is a board member of the Michigan Society of Hematology/Oncology (MSHO) and organizes annual board review course. Additionally, she has served as track leader for the ASCO education committee GU non prostate (Renal and bladder cancer) track. Dr. Vaishampayan attended Wayne State University for her residency and fellowship completion and attended medical school at Byramjee Jeejeebhoy in Pune, India and completed a higher secondary certificate in the field of science at Fergusson College in Pune, India. In her free time, Dr. Vaishampayan enjoys reading, dance, music and travel. She also loves watching football, both professional and college. -
Julie M. Vose, MD, MBA
Neumann M. and Mildred E. Harris Professor Chief, Hematology/Oncology University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE Julie M. Vose, MD, MBA, is the Neumann M. and Mildred E. Harris Professor and Chief of the Division of Oncology/Hematology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. In addition, she is a past president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Vose received her medical degree, completed her residency in internal medicine as chief resident, and completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. In addition, she completed a sabbatical at Stanford University, and continued her education by obtaining an MBA in Health Administration from the University of Colorado Business School. Dr. Vose has focused her career on translational research improving the therapy of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin’s lymphoma by developing a focused translational research program evaluating novel therapies, such as radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies, idiotype vaccine therapies, pathway-directed agents, stem cell transplantation, and CAR T-cell therapy. Further, her funding record and publications in NHL therapy and transplantation research have substantially added to the research and knowledge base for lymphoma therapy. As a result of her NHL research, Dr. Vose has been recognized nationally and internationally through worldwide research awards and invited lectureships. -
Kevin Wilcox, MD
Kevin Wilcox, MD Radiation Oncology Medical Director of East Hawaii Health Cancer Center, Hilo Hilo, HI Kevin Wilcox, MD, graduated from Medical School at Loma Linda University, and then from Radiation Oncology Residency at University of Southern California in 1999. He has practiced in Guam, Maui, and since 2006 the Big Island of Hawaii. He is grateful to the wonderful teams he has worked with to bring a very high level of care to each of these rural locations.
