Meet Our Leaders

As chief executive officer (CEO) of SCRI, Dee Anna Smith leads the organization’s overall mission and vision to make a global impact on the next generation of cancer care.

Under her leadership, SCRI formed a joint venture with US Oncology Research in 2022, bringing together physicians who are actively accruing patients to clinical trials at more than 200 locations in 20 states across the U.S.

Prior to creating the SCRI joint venture, she served as CEO for Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare. During her tenure, the company experienced exponential growth across its care network, and conducted pivotal clinical research that led to the majority of newly approved cancer therapies now available to patients.

As an entrepreneur, Smith founded two companies focused on clinical trial services; the first startup, SiteWorks Solutions, was acquired by Oracle and the second, Summit Research Solutions, was acquired by HCA Healthcare to become a part of SCRI. Smith began her career as an auditor and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with KPMG, after receiving a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Pepperdine University.

She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. She is also the chair of the Pepperdine University Board of Regents.

Howard A "Skip" Burris, III, MD, serves as president of SCRI, one of the world’s leading oncology research organizations conducting community-based clinical trials. In addition to his clinical expertise, Dr. Burris is known for his leadership in business strategy. Most recently, Dr. Burris helped to lead the formation of SCRI’s joint venture with US Oncology Research in 2022 to expand access to clinical trials for patients seeking the latest treatment options close to home.

As a well-respected key opinion leader globally, Dr. Burris was elected by his peers to serve as the president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO^®) 2019-2020 term and has continued to hold several leadership positions on behalf of the ASCO^® community. Prior to his term as president, Dr. Burris had served in a variety of leadership roles over many years, including the ASCO^® Board of Governors, ASCO^® Audit Committee, and as chair of the ASCO^® Nominating Committee. Currently, he is chair of the Board for the ASCO^® Conquer Cancer Foundation.

Dr. Burris received his undergraduate degree at West Point, his medical degree from the University of South Alabama in 1985, and performed his residency and fellowship in hematology/oncology at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. While there, he served as director of clinical research at the Institute for Drug Development of The Cancer Therapy and Research Center, and was an associate professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center. He attained the rank of lieutenant colonel in the US Army, and among his decorations, he was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster for his service in Operation Joint Endeavor.

Dr. Spigel joined SCRI in 2003, and as chief scientific officer he oversees all scientific aspects of SCRI’s clinical trial program, working with the research physician leaders to ensure the best new agents and studies are available to our patients. He serves as a primary contact for the Pharma and biotech partners as well as the strategic site physicians with whom SCRI conducts cancer research.

Dr. Spigel received his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University in New Orleans in 1992 and medical degree from The University of Tennessee in Memphis in 1996. After completing an internal medicine and chief residency at Indiana University Medical Center, he completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology at The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. He is board certified in medical oncology. Additionally, he is a medical oncologist with SCRI Oncology Partners.

Dr. Subbiah joined SCRI in 2023 and serves as chief of Early-Phase Drug Development. In his role, Dr. Subbiah oversees SCRI’s nine drug development units and leads the expansion of early-phase capabilities and programs across SCRI’s growing research network. Dr. Vivek Subbiah comes to SCRI from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center where he was an associate professor in the Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics. During his near 15-year tenure there, Dr. Subbiah held several leadership roles including executive director, Medical Oncology Research for MD Anderson Cancer Network as well as clinical medical director, Division of Cancer Medicine where he oversaw both the outpatient and inpatient clinical care delivery operations for the Phase I program.

Dr. Vivek Subbiah has served as the principal investigator in more than 100 phase I/II trials and co-investigator in over 200 clinical trials and is known for his leadership in several first-in-human and practice-changing studies that directly led to approvals from the FDA, European Medicines Agency, and other agencies across the world. He has authored more than 350 peer-reviewed publications in several high-impact journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Medicine, Journal of Clinical Oncology, JAMA Oncology, Cancer Discovery, Lancet Oncology, Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, and Clinical Cancer Research.

After finishing his medical education in India, Dr. Subbiah completed a combined residency program in internal medicine and pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University, MetroHealth, Cleveland. He received board-certifications in both internal medicine and pediatrics and completed fellowships in both adult and pediatric oncology at MD Anderson.

Yazhene Krishnaraj joined SCRI in 2025 and serves as chief information and digital officer. In this role, she is focused on accelerating the company’s technology and digital transformation to enhance service delivery to sponsors and sites. Collaborating closely with SCRI's leadership, Yazhene ensures that the organization's technology strategies are intricately aligned with its critical business goals.

Before her tenure at SCRI, Yazhene demonstrated her expertise in various leadership roles across the U.S., UK, and India, focusing on delivering transformative digital solutions for Fortune 500 companies. Her strategic leadership at Citizens Financial Group was crucial in steering the digital transformation for the Risk Office, where she centralized risk monitoring through data and AI solutions. Most recently, she led the Decision Intelligence unit for US Pharmaceutical, Oncology & Specialty at McKesson, a role that underscored her ability to drive large-scale data and AI initiatives, resulting in significant business value.

Yazhene holds a Bachelor of Computer Engineering from Anna University in India, a Master of Computer Science from Wayne State University and an Executive Leadership Program at Harvard Business School.

Throughout her career, Yazhene has been recognized for her ability to forge strong partnerships between business and IT leadership, manage substantial budgets with a focus on value creation, and build high-performing technology organizations. Her contributions have been acknowledged by industry peers, including recognition in CDO Magazine’s Global Data Power Women list for two consecutive years. She is also a founding member of Women Leaders in Data and AI, advocating for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.

Jill Anderson joined SCRI in 2024 and serves as managing principal counsel, overseeing all legal matters across the organization. Jill has more than 20 years of legal, transactional, and regulatory experience, with a particular focus on the oncology space and is nationally known as a legal expert and thought leader in clinical research.

Prior to joining SCRI, Jill served as chief legal officer for miR Scientific, where she oversaw global legal operations and advised leadership on a wide range of legal and business issues. Previously, Jill served as a partner at law firm Moses & Singer and held roles at both Partners Healthcare System and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Her strategic leadership and innovative thinking have been instrumental in creating groundbreaking data and IP revenue models, lobbying for updates to national cancer guidelines, and managing large-scale strategic transactions, among other accomplishments.

Jill received a Bachelor of Science in pre-medicine studies from Rutgers University and her Doctor of Law degree from Widener University School of Law.

Jennifer Cole is the senior vice president of Research Operations for SCRI. She has been in the research industry for more than 20 years, and with SCRI since 2005. Jennifer started her career as an intensive care nurse after graduating Summa Cum Laude from the Loewenberg School of Nursing at the University of Memphis in 1998. 

From the beginning of her professional career, Jennifer has been passionate about the ability to advance therapies for patients and help ensure they are receiving the best possible treatment options. With the transition from bedside nursing to research operations, Jennifer continues to influence and play a part in both. Not only does she have the joy of working with SCRI research sites, colleagues, and physicians who directly impact our patients, but she also oversees and leads the centralized services department as part of our Site Management Organization (SMO), who are critical in supporting SCRI sites, ensuring they have what they need to serve patients in clinical trials.

Marcy Vallone joined SCRI in 2011 and serves as the senior vice president of Development Innovations, SCRI’s full-service contract research organization (CRO). She also oversees business development for SCRI, including alliance and strategic partnerships and business development activities for the research institute.

Marcy has nearly 20 years in clinical research experience primarily focused in early phase oncology. Prior to joining SCRI, she conducted research for several pharmaceutical companies including Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Proteolix Inc., and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, an Amgen subsidiary where she served as a key member of the Kyprolis clinical development team. She graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science in microbiology and has been a co-author on seven publications and 29 abstracts.

Dr. McKenzie joined SCRI in 2015 and serves as the vice president of its Personalized Medicine program. He also serves as the scientific director for Genospace, SCRI's fully integrated personalized medicine engine.

Dr. McKenzie has more than 10 years of basic science and translational research experience in oncology. In his role, Dr. McKenzie is responsible for providing scientific and operational oversight for implementing SCRI’s personalized medicine strategy. He and the personalized medicine program provide scientific, consultative and programmatic services to clinical research investigators, study sponsors, research personnel and other healthcare providers to advance SCRI’s molecular profiling efforts. As scientific director at Genospace, Dr. McKenzie is responsible for providing scientific and strategic guidance to data science and product development activities.

Prior to joining SCRI, Dr. McKenzie was a research fellow in the Cancer Biology Department at Vanderbilt University's Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center where he investigated extracellular vesicle trafficking and translational cell biology research. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Shorter College and a Doctor of Philosophy in pharmacology from The University of Vermont where he investigated extracellular matrix remodeling and cell motility.

David Adler serves as vice president of Business Development for SCRI, and previously served in the same capacity for US Oncology Research prior to the joint venture between the two organizations. In his role, David leads the business development efforts across the organization, working closely with SCRI’s industry partners to support research opportunities across the network.

Prior to joining US Oncology Research in 2009, David spent the first half of his career working within the pharmaceutical industry serving in a number of leadership roles.

David holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech communications from California State University, Northridge.

Amber Woodward-Smith serves as vice president of finance for SCRI. She joined SCRI in 2019 and is responsible for operational and financial leadership of the company. In 2022, Amber successfully led the company through a joint venture with US Oncology Research and continues to lead many of SCRI’s integration efforts. In her current role, Amber oversees SCRI’s financial operations and helps shape new processes across SCRI’s network and oversees several of the company’s enabling corporate functions.

Previously, Amber served as chief financial officer for HCA Healthcare’s Physician Services Group – Urgent Care. Amber was recruited to HCA Healthcare to lead 24 CareNow clinics, which were added to the Urgent Care portfolio in 2014. In 2015, her leadership expanded to support all urgent care operations across the enterprise. With her oversight, Amber advanced several key acquisitions and developments to better serve patients in the urgent care setting.

Amber has worked in a variety of financial leadership areas for several nationally recognized healthcare organizations. By blending her entrepreneurial spirit with her ability to enhance business operations, she has helped to scale several start-ups in Nashville and beyond.

Amanda Bilbrey serves as vice president of Research Operations for SCRI. She has been with SCRI’s Research Operations team for over 15 years, with experience spanning Phase 1 and Phase 2/3 studies. Amanda began her career as an oncology nurse after graduating from Aquinas College in 2006.

Amanda is passionate about collaborating with both physicians and site leaders to advance drug development and provide patients with access to novel therapies. She provides operational support across several sites in the SCRI network, focusing specifically on SCRI’s drug development units.  Amanda partners closely with all SCRI support teams to efficiently serve our patients and provide them with the best experience possible.

Chandra King serves as vice president of Site Support Operations for SCRI, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Since joining SCRI in 2006, she has demonstrated her passion for helping others and a steadfast commitment to advancing treatment options for cancer patients. Her journey in healthcare began as a nurse extern in the med/surg unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center while pursuing her nursing degree at Tennessee State University. In her role, she leads the Site Management Organization’s centralized services departments, which play a crucial role in reducing the administrative burden of clinical trials at our research sites, allowing them to prioritize patient care.

Amanda Belcher serves as vice president of Human Resources (HR) for SCRI. She has been with the organization since 2015, successfully leading the HR integration for SCRI’s joint venture with US Oncology Research in 2022. In her role, Amanda collaborates with SCRI's leadership team to develop people strategies for the company, spanning organizational culture and engagement, talent attraction and development, internal communications, change leadership, and diversity, inclusion and belonging. She and her team also manage SCRI’s end-to-end HR operations.

Additionally, Amanda develops new ways to scale the organization’s design and talent functions, with SCRI’s size doubling during her tenure. She continues to implement talent strategies across both our Site Management Organizations and Contract Research Organizations, which have helped SCRI maintain a competitive advantage.

Amanda has more than 15 years of experience in people leadership across multiple industries. She holds both a Bachelor of Arts in communications studies and a Master of Arts in organizational communication from Western Kentucky University.

Pamela Paul-McNeill serves as vice president of Quality Assurance for SCRI. In her role, she leads the optimization and standardization of Quality Assurance Programs across the organization to enhance research and care delivery for our patients and partners.

Prior to joining SCRI, Pamela served in numerous roles at Johnson & Johnson. Most recently, she was senior director of Strategy & Operations for Janssen Quality, where she oversaw the development of quality and compliance strategies and introduced data-driven, standardized processes to deliver on the company’s business initiatives.

Pamela holds a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from Howard University.

Rory Rahn joined SCRI in 2023 and serves as the vice president of Compliance and Ethics. In this role, he leads and manages the compliance and privacy program for SCRI.

Prior to joining SCRI, Rory was both the senior director of Compliance & Ethics, Data & Technology as well as the director of Regulatory Compliance & Ethics at McKesson from 2022-2023 and 2019-2022, respectively. During his time at McKesson, Rory oversaw regulatory compliance, ethics, and data privacy within McKesson Pharmaceutical Solutions & Services' data-driven sectors, leading risk assessments to identify and manage the business's regulatory compliance needs, and developed and implemented policies, procedures, and monitoring activities to support compliance and reporting requirements.

Rory received a Bachelor of Science in finance and accounting and information management as well as a Master of Business Administration from University of Texas at Dallas. Additionally, he is certified in Healthcare Compliance and Healthcare Privacy Compliance.

Sridhar Nuthi serves as vice president of Engineering for Genospace. In his role, Sridhar leads the Engineering and Technology function to advance clinical trial matching and health analytics through SCRI’s precision medicine platform. Sridhar is responsible for leading the software engineering program and platform operations, and facilitating collaboration between product, UX design, data science, and clinical/business teams.

Prior to joining Genospace, Sridhar served as the senior director for Data and Analytics at GE Healthcare, Digital Services Team. A thought leader and inventor, Sridhar has 23 years of professional experience, and has received various chief technology officer and chief information officer awards throughout his career in addition to his 20 patents, trade secrets, and more.

He received a Bachelor of Engineering from Osmania University, two master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and computer science from University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management.

Erika Hamilton, MD

Director, Breast Cancer Research; Executive Chair, Breast Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI

Joyce O’Shaughnessy, MD

Disease Chair, Breast Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Texas Oncology

Jay Andersen, MD

Executive Member, Breast Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Compass Oncology

Michael Danso, MD

Executive Member, Breast Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Virginia Oncology Associates

Mabel Mardones, MD

Executive Member, Breast Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers

Sarah Premji, MD

Assistant Director, Breast Cancer Research; Executive Member, Breast Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI

Denise Yardley, MD

Associate Director, Breast Cancer Research; Executive Member, Breast Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI

Shaachi Gupta, MD, MPH

Ad Hoc Member, Breast Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Muhammad Imam, MD

Ad Hoc Member, Breast Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Meredith McKean, MD, MPH 

Director, Melanoma & Skin Cancer Research; Executive Chair, BRIDGE Research Executive Committee, SCRI

Michael Danso, MD 

Executive Member, BRIDGE Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Virginia Oncology Associates

Jason Henry, MD 

Executive Member, BRIDGE Research Executive Committee, SCRI at HealthONE

David Waterhouse, MD, MPH 

Ad Hoc Member, BRIDGE Research Executive Committee, SCRI at OHC

Vivek Subbiah, MD

Chief, Early-Phase Drug Development

SCRI

Deepak Bhamidipati, MD

Assistant Director, Drug Development

SCRI

Babar Bashir, MD

Associate Director, Drug Development

SCRI at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health

Manoj Bupathi, MD, MS

Genitourinary Drug Development

SCRI at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers

Gerald Falchook, MD

Director, Drug Development

SCRI at HealthONE

Elisa Fontana, MD, PhD

Director, Drug Development

SCRI at HCA Healthcare UK

Benjamin Garmezy, MD

Genitourinary Drug Development

SCRI

Sarah Gordon, DO

Associate Director, Drug Development

SCRI at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health

Erika Hamilton, MD

Breast Drug Development

SCRI

Jason Henry, MD

Associate Director, Drug Development

SCRI at HealthONE

Melissa Johnson, MD

Lung Drug Development

SCRI

Meredith McKean, MD, MPH

Melanoma Drug Development

SCRI

Kathleen Moore, MD

Drug Development

SCRI at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center

Abdul Rafeh Naqash, MD

Drug Development

SCRI at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center

Manish Patel, MD

Director, Drug Development

SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Michael Pearlman, MD

Neuro Oncology Drug Development

SCRI at HealthONE

Meredith Pelster, MD

Gastrointestinal Drug Development

SCRI

Cesar Perez, MD

Director, Drug Development

SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Alex Philipovskiy, MD

Director, Drug Development

SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Russ Schilder, MD

Director, Drug Development

SCRI at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health

Susanna Ulahannan, MD

Director, Drug Development

SCRI at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center

Judy Wang, MD

Associate Director, Drug Development

SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Ryan Weight, MD

Melanoma Drug Development

SCRI at The Melanoma & Skin Cancer Institute

Anja Williams, MD

Assistant Director, Drug Development

SCRI at HCA Healthcare UK  

Meredith Pelster, MD, MSCI 

Associate Director, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research; Executive Chair, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI

Allen Cohn, MD 

Executive Member, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers

Jason Henry, MD 

Executive Member, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at HealthONE

Scott Paulson, MD 

Executive Member, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Texas Oncology 

Don Richards, MD 

Executive Member, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Texas Oncology

Vivian Cline, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Texas Oncology

David Cosgrove, MD  

Ad Hoc Member, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Compass Oncology

Anjan Patel, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Syed Zafar, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute 

Benjamin Garmezy, MD

Associate Director, Genitourinary Cancer Research; Executive Co-Chair, Genitourinary Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI

Manoj Bupathi, MD, MS 

Executive Co-Chair, Genitourinary Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers

Mark Fleming, MD

Disease Chair, Genitourinary Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Virginia Oncology Associates

Mike Lattanzi, MD 

Executive Member, Genitourinary Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Texas Oncology

Jeff Yorio, MD 

Executive Member, Genitourinary Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Texas Oncology

Judah Friedman, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Genitourinary Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

William Grow, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Genitourinary Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Ian Schnadig, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Genitourinary Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Compass Oncology 

Noelle Cloven, MD

Executive Chair, Gynecologic Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Texas Oncology

Charles Anderson, MD

Executive Member, Gynecologic Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute & Research Center

Elizabeth Guancial, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Gynecologic Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Bradley Monk, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Gynecologic Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Jessica Thomes-Pepin, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Gynecologic Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Minnesota Oncology

Cesar Perez, MD

Director, Drug Development, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute – Lake Nona;  Executive Chair, Head & Neck Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Tristan Bice, MD

Ad Hoc Member, Head & Neck Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Compass Oncology

Jerry Goldschmidt, MD

Ad Hoc Member, Head & Neck Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Blue Ridge Cancer Care

Amir Harandi, MD, MS

Ad Hoc Member, Head & Neck Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Eric Nadler, MD, MPP

Ad Hoc Member, Head & Neck Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Texas Oncology

David Neskey, MD

Ad Hoc Member, Head & Neck Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Head & Neck Cancer Specialists

Graham Watson

Ad Hoc Member, Head & Neck Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Virginia Oncology Associates

Navneet Majhail, MD, MS, FASTCT

Executive Chair, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Research Executive Committee, Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute

Haydar Frangoul, MD, MS 

Executive Member, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Research Executive Committee, SCRI at TriStar Centennial Children’s Hospital

Mike Tees, MD  

Executive Member, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Colorado Blood Cancer Institute

Jeff Sharman, MD  

Disease Chair, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute & Research Center

Minoo Battiwalla, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Research Executive Committee, SCRI at TriStar Centennial

Alireza Eghtedar, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Colorado Blood Cancer Institute

James Essell, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Research Executive Committee, SCRI at OHC

Nosha Farhadfar, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Methodist Healthcare

Usama Geris, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health

Jeremy Pantin, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Research Executive Committee, SCRI at TriStar Centennial

Aravind Ramakrishnan, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Research Executive Committee, SCRI at St. David’s Healthcare

Paul Shaughnessy, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Methodist Healthcare

James Essell, MD

Executive Chair, Immune Effector Cell Therapy Research Executive Committee, SCRI at OHC

Haydar Frangoul, MD, MS  

Executive Member, Immune Effector Cell Therapy Research Executive Committee, SCRI at TriStar Centennial Children’s Hospital

Navneet Majhail, MD, MS, FASTCT 

Executive Member, Immune Effector Cell Therapy Research Executive Committee, Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute

Mike Maris, MD 

Executive Member, Immune Effector Cell Therapy Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Colorado Blood Cancer Institute

Stephen Strickland, Jr., MD, MSCI 

Executive Member, Immune Effector Cell Therapy Research Executive Committee, SCRI

Jeff Sharman, MD

Disease Chair, Immune Effector Cell Therapy Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute & Research Center

Nosha Farhadfar, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Immune Effector Cell Therapy Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Methodist Healthcare

Usama Geris, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Immune Effector Cell Therapy Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health  

Tara Gregory, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Immune Effector Cell Therapy Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Colorado Blood Cancer Institute

Aravind Ramakrishnan, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Immune Effector Cell Therapy Research Executive Committee, SCRI at St. David’s Healthcare

Paul Shaughnessy, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Immune Effector Cell Therapy Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Methodist Healthcare

Pat Ward, MD, PhD 

Ad Hoc Member, Immune Effector Cell Therapy Research Executive Committee, SCRI at OHC 

Stephen Strickland, Jr., MD, MSCI

Director, Leukemia Research; Executive Chair, Leukemia Research Executive Committee, SCRI

Jeff Sharman, MD

Disease Chair, Leukemia Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute & Research Center

Chris Benton, MD 

Executive Member, Leukemia Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers

Luke Fletcher, MD 

Executive Member, Leukemia Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute & Research Center 

Mike Maris, MD 

Executive Member, Leukemia Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Colorado Blood Cancer Institute

Gustavo Fonseca, MD, FACP  

Ad Hoc Member, Lymphoma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute 

Blessy Jacob, MD  

Ad Hoc Member, Leukemia Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute  

Kruti Patel, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Leukemia Research Executive Committee, SCRI at OHC

Shachar Peles, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Leukemia Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Melissa Johnson, MD

Director, Lung Cancer Research; Executive Chair, Lung Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI

Robert Jotte, MD, PhD

Disease Chair, Lung Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers

Kartik Konduri, MD  

Executive Member, Lung Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Texas Oncology

Bo Wang, MD 

Executive Member, Lung Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute & Research Center

Pat Ward, MD, PhD

Executive Member, Lung Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at OHC

David Waterhouse, MD, MPH

Executive Member, Lung Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at OHC

Jerome Goldschmidt, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Lung Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Blue Ridge Cancer Care

Maen Hussein, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Lung Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Sushma Tatineni, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Lung Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Minnestoa Oncology

Patrick Ward, MD, PhD 

Ad Hoc Member, Lung Cancer Research Executive Committee, SCRI at OHC

Krish Patel, MD

Director, Lymphoma Research; Executive Chair, Lymphoma Research Executive Committee; SCRI Oncology Partners

Jeff Sharman, MD

Disease Chair, Lymphoma Research Executive Committee; Hematology Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute & Research Center

David Andorsky, MD

Executive Member, Lymphoma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers

John Burke, MD 

Executive Member, Lymphoma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers

Mike Tees, MD 

Executive Member, Lymphoma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Colorado Blood Cancer Institute

Gustavo Fonseca, MD, FACP  

Ad Hoc Member, Lymphoma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute 

Blessy Jacob, MD  

Ad Hoc Member, Lymphoma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Shachar Peles, MD  

Ad Hoc Member, Lymphoma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Chris Yasenchak, MD 

Ad Hoc Member, Lymphoma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute & Research Center

Meredith McKean, MD, MPH

Director, Melanoma & Skin Cancer Research; Executive Chair, Melanoma Research Executive Committee, SCRI

Thomas Amatruda, MD  

Executive Member, Melanoma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Minnesota Oncology

Lance Cowey, MD

Executive Member, Melanoma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Texas Oncology

Ryan Weight, DO, MS 

Executive Member, Melanoma Research Executive Committee, The Melanoma & Skin Cancer Institute

Jeff Yorio, MD 

Executive Member, Melanoma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Texas Oncology

Keith Wells, MD

Ad Hoc Member, Melanoma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute & Research Center

Hans Lee, MD

Director, Myeloma Research; Executive Chair, Myeloma Research Executive Committee; SCRI Oncology Partners

Jeff Sharman, MD 

Disease Chair, Myeloma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute & Research Center

Peter Forsberg, MD 

Executive Member, Myeloma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Colorado Blood Cancer Institute

Mitul Gandhi, MD 

Executive Member, Myeloma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Virginia Cancer Specialists

Jeff Matous, MD

Executive Member, Myeloma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Colorado Blood Cancer Institute

Robert Rifkin, MD 

Executive Member, Myeloma Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers

David Buck, MD

Executive Chair, Radiation Research Executive Committee, SCRI at Blue Ridge Cancer Care

Dr. Buck joined SCRI in 2022 and serves as the executive chair for the Radiation Research Executive Committee. In this role, he establishes and executes the strategy for the radiation oncology research program, builds the clinical trial menu for the SCRI research network, and educates research colleagues. Dr. Buck conducts research for SCRI at Blue Ridge Cancer Care, providing access to trials for people facing cancer in Southwest, Va.

In addition to his role at SCRI, Dr. Buck is currently the medical director for the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Carilion Clinic Cancer Center and chair of Carilion’s Oncology Committee. He also serves as the president of Blue Ridge Cancer Care.

Dr. Buck completed a degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Virginia and is a graduate of the Medical College of Virginia. He completed his transitional residency internship at the Carilion Health System in Roanoke, Va. He then completed a radiation oncology residency at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Va., where he also served as the chief resident of the Department of Radiation Oncology.

He is board certified by the American Board of Radiology. Additionally, he is a radiation oncologist with Blue Ride Cancer Care.

Dr. Bupathi joined SCRI in 2022 and serves as the executive co-chair of the Genitourinary Cancer Research Executive Committee. In this role, he helps direct the committee, identifying clinical trial opportunities and advises teams from across the network on policies, procedures, technologies, and initiatives regarding clinical trial research activities. Dr. Bupathi conducts research for SCRI at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers and also sees patients for Phase I clinical research trials at SCRI at HealthONE in Denver.

Dr. Bupathi joined Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers in 2017, where he specializes in solid tumors with an advanced subspecialty expertise in genitourinary and breast cancers.

Dr. Bupathi participates in many tumor boards, where he collaborates with other cancer specialists including surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and radiation oncologists. This allows him to provide a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to cancer treatment recommendations such as chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies. Dr. Bupathi has a strong interest in the field of personalized medicine and how genomics and molecular pathways impact cancer treatment options. Dr. Bupathi serves as principal investigator for many Phase 1, Phase II, and Phase III studies.

Dr. Bupathi received his medical degree from St. Georges University, School of Medicine, and completed his residency at Case Western Reserve University. He went on to complete three fellowships – an Investigational Cancer Therapeutics fellowship at the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, a medical oncology fellowship and a gastrointestinal oncology advanced fellowship at the Ohio State University, and a research fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Department of Translational Hematology & Oncology.

Dr. Bupathi is board certified in medical oncology. Additionally, he is a medical oncologist at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers.

Dr. Cloven joined SCRI in 2022 and serves as the executive chair of the Gynecologic Cancer Research Executive Committee. In this role, she builds and manages a robust gynecologic cancer program for SCRI, identifying gaps and opportunities for clinical research activities throughout the network.

Dr. Cloven is a highly trained specialist with additional medical education in surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation for the treatment of cervical, endometrial or uterine, ovarian, vulvar, and vaginal cancers. She is also trained in risk reducing surgery for women at increased risk for gynecologic cancers and fertility sparing surgery.

Currently, Dr. Cloven is an adjunct clinical assistant professor in the Department of PA Studies at the School of Health Sciences at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and an associate professor at the TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Amongst many award and honors, she received Outstanding Preceptor from UNT Health Science Center, PA studies from 2011-2024, and was named in Top Doctors by both Fort Worth Texas Magazine and 360 West Magazine from 2011-2024 and 2019-2024, respectively. Presently, Dr. Cloven serves on the GOG Partners Investigators Council, Site Engagement/Trial Challenges Committee, is a co-chair for the GOG Foundation Communications Committee, site research leader for Texas Oncology, and communications committee member for NRG Oncology. Her work has appeared in journals including in The Lancet, Gynecologic Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and The New England Journal of Medicine.

Dr. Cloven received her Medical Doctorate from Baylor College of Medicine and completed both a residency and fellowship in gynecologic oncology from University of California Irvine.

She is board certified in gynecologic oncology and obstetrics and gynecology. Additionally, she is a gynecologic oncologist with Texas Oncology.

Dr. Essell joined SCRI in 2022 and serves as the executive chair of the Immune Effector Cell Therapy Research Committee. In this role, he provides oversight and develops overall strategy for the immune effector cell research program. He is actively involved in clinical trials and research for SCRI at OHC and is always in search of new and innovative treatments.

Dr. Essell is a national expert and author who is leading the cellular therapy program for The US Oncology Network. Dr. Essell serves as a principal investigator for blood cancer clinical trials at OHC and is the national principal investigator for The US Oncology Network for CAR-T clinical trials. He also serves as the medical director of The Jewish Hospital — Mercy Health Cincinnati Cancer and Cellular Therapy Center.

Dr. Essell attended medical school at the University of Cincinnati, completed his residency and fellowship at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, and a post-fellowship at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

He is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology. Dr. Essell is also a medical oncologist, hematologist, and blood and marrow transplant specialist at OHC. He specializes in malignant and benign hematology and sarcoma and is a leading authority on blood and marrow stem cell transplants.

Dr. Fleming joined SCRI in 2022 and serves as the disease chair of the Genitourinary Cancer Research Executive Committee. In this role, he fosters education and trial engagement across the SCRI network for genitourinary cancer. He previously served as chair of the Genitourinary Committee for US Oncology Research since 2017.

Cancers of the bladder, kidney, prostate, and testicle, as well as Phase 1 novel drug development are Dr. Fleming’s special clinical interest and expertise. He is heavily involved in cancer research serving as a principal investigator for clinical trials locally and nationally.

Dr. Fleming has contributed to multiple book chapters and journal articles to esteemed publications such as The New England Journal of Medicine, Clinical Cancer Research, Nature Clinical Practice Oncology, Update in Clinical Therapeutics, and Clinical Prostate Cancer. He has presented some of his work nationally at prestigious academic medical symposia and grand rounds, including American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO^®), Duke University, Eastern Virginia Medical School, and the Prostate Cancer Symposium. Dr. Fleming is a national thought leader in genitourinary cancers having served as Prostate Track Leader for ASCO^® and currently serves on the ASCO^® Communications Committee.

In addition to his clinical and research activities, Dr. Fleming is an active leader within the medical community previously serving as both the division chief of Eastern Virginia Medical School Department of Hematology & Oncology and president of the medical staff at Sentara Careplex Hospital. As a co-founding member and past-president of the Hampton Roads Prostate Health Forum, Dr. Fleming is a passionate speaker on the importance of cancer education and the early detection of prostate cancer. He is co-author on the recently published evidence-based “Prostate Cancer Foundation Screening Guidelines for Black Men in the United States” in The New England Journal of Medicine Evidence.

Dr. Fleming received his Bachelor of Arts degree at The University of Pennsylvania, and his Doctorate in Medicine at Medical University of Ohio. Dr. Fleming completed his residency at Temple University Hospital and his fellowship in medical oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He then joined Virginia Oncology Associates in August 2006 where he currently serves as president as well as the chair of the National Policy Board of US Oncology.

Dr. Garmezy joined SCRI in 2021 and serves as associate director of Genitourinary Cancer Research and executive co-chair of the Genitourinary Cancer Research Executive Committee. In his roles at SCRI, Dr. Garmezy oversees investigational therapy trials for genitourinary cancers, including prostate, kidney, bladder, and testicular cancers. He is responsible for managing a comprehensive genitourinary cancer program menu for the many sites within the SCRI network.
 
Dr. Garmezy received his undergraduate degree from Amherst College and his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. Prior to joining SCRI, he completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Michigan and his fellowship in hematology/oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Garmezy is board certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He currently sees patients in clinic at SCRI Oncology Partners.

Dr. Hamilton serves as the director of Breast Cancer Research and executive chair of the Breast Cancer Research Executive Committee for SCRI. In her role as director of Breast Cancer Research, she provides oversight and develops strategy for the breast program. In Dr. Hamilton’s role as executive chair of the Breast Cancer Research Executive Committee, she builds and manages a comprehensive breast cancer program menu for all sites across the SCRI network.

Dr. Hamilton joined SCRI in 2013 as an investigator in drug development for women’s cancers and has served as director of Breast Cancer Research since 2015. Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when Dr. Hamilton was in middle school, and thankfully is a survivor. Dr. Hamilton is passionate about personalized treatment, empowering her patients, and treating each person individually based on their goals and preferences.

Dr. Hamilton received her undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University in Virginia and received a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. She then completed her medical degree and residency from University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and fellowship training in hematology and oncology at Duke University. Dr. Hamilton was named to the Women to Watch Class of 2021 for Nashville Medical News. She was selected for the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO^®) Leadership Development Class for 2021-2022 and was the past chair of ASCO^®’s Scientific Committee for Metastatic Breast Cancer for 2019-2020. She is the current ASCO^® Scientific Chair for the 2025 ASCO^® Annual Meeting, the 2023-2025 Scientific Committee co-chair of the ESMO Breast Cancer Meeting, was on ASCO^®’s plenary committee in 2023, and currently has served on ASCO^®'s Cancer Research Committee since 2024. She was elected to ASCO^®'s Nomination Committee in 2024 and will serve a three-year term from 2025-2028. She is also the associate editor for Clinical Breast Cancer.

Dr. Hamilton is board certified in oncology. Additionally, she is a medical oncologist with SCRI Oncology Partners.

Dr. Johnson is a medical oncologist whose research focus is new drug development for patients with lung cancer. Dr. Johnson joined SCRI in 2014, and in 2021 assumed the role of director of Lung Cancer Research where she supervises the lung cancer clinical trial portfolio across the SCRI network. Dr. Johnson is also the executive chair of the Lung Cancer Research Executive Committee, where she identifies clinical trial opportunities and sets strategies for growth and development for the Lung Cancer Research program across the SCRI network.

Dr. Johnson continues to work in early phase drug development and co-leads the immune effector cell therapies program in the drug development unit in Nashville.

Prior to joining SCRI, Dr. Johnson was an associate professor at Northwestern University and Feinberg School of Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill where she was a Morehead Scholar, and her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. After completing her residency in internal medicine at New York Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, she did her fellowship training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where she also served as chief fellow for one year.

Dr. Johnson is board certified in medical oncology. Additionally, she is a medical oncologist with SCRI Oncology Partners.

Dr. Jotte joined SCRI in 2022 and serves as disease chair of the Lung Cancer Research Executive Committee where he collaborates with the Executive Committee to identify and execute strategies for the lung cancer research program.

Dr. Jotte sees all types of cancer and hematology patients and believes in providing premier oncology care that is individualized to the patient’s needs and personal beliefs. He treats patients with cutting-edge cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and clinical trials. Dr. Jotte practices evidence-based medicine and follows National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. He has an advanced sub-specialty expertise in treating lung cancer and head and neck cancer patients.

Dr. Jotte received his medical degree from Vanderbilt University. He then completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in medical oncology and hematology both at the University of Colorado Health Science Center.

He is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. Additionally, he is a medical oncologist with Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers.

Dr. Hans Lee joined SCRI in 2025 as the director of myeloma research where he provides scientific leadership and oversight for SCRI’s comprehensive myeloma clinical trial menu across its vast network of more than 200 locations.

Dr. Lee joined SCRI from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston where he served as the Director of Multiple Myeloma Clinical Research and Associate Professor within the Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma. Dr. Lee received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Indiana University School of Medicine followed by residency (internal medicine) at Washington University School of Medicine/Barnes-Jewish Hospital and clinical fellowship (hematology/oncology) where he was the Chief Hematology Fellow at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Lee is dual board certified in hematology and medical oncology.  He has extensive experience as a principal investigator for both investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored early phase clinical trials in multiple myeloma and AL amyloidosis and has previously served on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Multiple Myeloma/Systemic Light Chain Amyloidosis/Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Panel. Dr. Lee’s’ research has been funded by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and highlighted in 125+ peer-reviewed publications.

In addition to his leadership role at SCRI, Dr. Lee serves as a medical oncologist at SCRI Oncology Partners in Nashville, Tenn.

Dr. Majhail serves as the Physician-in-Chief of Blood Cancers at Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute where he leads the Sarah Cannon Transplant & Cellular Therapy Network, a multicenter group of blood cancer programs at HCA Healthcare that provides a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of complex blood cancers and offers increased access to cutting-edge cell, gene, and transplant therapies. Dr. Majhail joined SCRI in 2021 and in his role as executive chair for the Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Research Executive Committee, he develops and oversees a comprehensive program for the SCRI network, identifying clinical trial opportunities and setting strategies for growth and development. Dr. Majhail also serves as an executive member on SCRI’s Immune Effector Cell Therapy Research Executive Committee.

Previously, Dr. Majhail has served as the director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Blood and Marrow Transplant Program while also serving as the vice chair for the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology and a professor of medicine with the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. He is a past-president of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy and has been recognized as a fellow for his contributions to the field of transplantation and cellular therapy. He is a respected thought leader in health outcomes research and has authored more than 400 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters on the prevention and management of early and late complications of blood and marrow transplantation and health policy issues such as healthcare disparities, quality of care, survivorship, and economic issues related to transplantation and cellular therapy.

After completing medical education in India, Dr. Majhail received residency training in internal medicine at the Cleveland Clinic and fellowship training in hematology and oncology at the University of Minnesota. He also holds a master’s in clinical research from the University of Minnesota.

Dr. McKean joined SCRI in 2018 and serves as director of Melanoma & Skin Cancer Research. Dr. McKean is also executive chair of the BRIDGE Research Executive Committee and Melanoma Research Executive Committee for SCRI. In her role as director of Melanoma and Skin Cancer Research, Dr. McKean collaborates with SCRI’s sites to enhance their melanoma and skin cancer programs by providing a comprehensive menu of clinical trials to researchers throughout the network. As executive chair of the BRIDGE Research Executive Committee and Melanoma Research Executive Committee, Dr. McKean directs the committees, setting and executing strategy for research growth and development across SCRI’s network.

Dr. McKean received her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University, and her Master of Public Health degree and medical degree from University of Iowa. Prior to joining SCRI, she completed her fellowship in hematology-oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. In 2017, Dr. McKean received an ASCO^® Conquer Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award.

She is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. Additionally, Dr. McKean is a medical oncologist with SCRI Oncology Partners.

Dr. O’Shaughnessy joined SCRI in 2022 and serves as disease chair of the Breast Cancer Research Executive Committee. In this role, she is responsible for fostering education and trial engagement across the SCRI network.

Dr. O’Shaughnessy focuses on her practice and clinical research on breast cancer treatment. She is director of Breast Cancer Research at Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center and chair of the Breast Disease Committee for SCRI. Her research interests include Genotype-Phenotype correlations for high-risk breast cancers and immunotherapy for triple negative breast cancer.

Dr. O’Shaughnessy is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research and American Society of Clinical Oncology, and founder of The School of Breast Oncology. She received the Giants of Cancer Care Community Outreach/Education Award, the Baylor University Medical Center Staff Chief’s Award, the Holy Cross College Santae Crucis Award, the Public Health Service Special Service Development of the Consensus Statement on Cancer Drug Approval Endpoints Award, and the Yale Medical School Francis Parker Award.

Dr. O’Shaughnessy received her medical degree from Yale University Medical School. Her internship and residency in internal medicine were completed at Massachusetts General Hospital, and she completed a fellowship in medical oncology at the National Cancer Institute, where she was a senior investigator.

Dr. O’Shaughnessy is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. Additionally, she is a medical oncologist with Texas Oncology.

Dr. Patel joined SCRI in 2024 and, as director of lymphoma research, oversees SCRI’s comprehensive lymphoma clinical trial portfolio.

Dr. Patel joined SCRI from Swedish Cancer Institute at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle where he served as the director of Hematologic Malignancies and Cell Therapy and held the position of director of the Lymphoma Program. Dr. Patel received his undergraduate and Doctor of Medicine degrees from Duke University School of Medicine, followed by residency (internal medicine) and fellowship (hematology/oncology) training at his alma mater. He further honed his research expertise through a clinical research training fellowship at the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Patel is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology, and actively contributes to several scientific committees and boards, including the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, Lymphoma Research Foundation, and Southwestern Oncology Group.

In addition to his leadership role at SCRI, Dr. Patel serves as a medical oncologist at SCRI Oncology Partners in Nashville, Tenn.

Dr. Pelster joined SCRI in 2021 and serves as associate director of Gastrointestinal Cancer Research, specializing in gastrointestinal cancer and head and neck cancer research. Dr. Pelster is also executive chair of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Executive Committee for SCRI. In this role, she sets and executes strategy for the growth and development of SCRI’s gastrointestinal cancer program. Clinically, she is a medical oncologist with SCRI Oncology Partners where she sees patients with gastrointestinal cancers and head and neck cancers.

Dr. Pelster received her medical degree from Vanderbilt University. She completed her fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and her residency and Master of Science in clinical investigation at Northwestern University. She is board certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine.

Dr. Perez joined SCRI in 2021 and serves as executive chair of the Head & Neck Cancer Research Executive Committee. In this role, he establishes and executes the strategy for the head & neck cancer research program, builds the clinical trial menu for the SCRI research network, and educates research colleagues. 

Dr. Perez earned his medical degree from the University of Panama School of Medicine. He then completed his residency in internal medicine at the Cleveland Clinic in Florida and his fellowship in oncology-hematology at the University of Miami, where he received the Peter A. Cassileth, MD Award as an outstanding fellow and served as chief fellow.  

Dr. Perez is board certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. Additionally, he is a hematologist and oncologist with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute.

Dr. Sharman joined SCRI in 2022 and serves as disease chair of the Myeloma, Leukemia, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, and Immune Effector Cell Therapy Research Executive Committees. In this role, Dr. Sharman collaborates with the Executive Committee to identify and execute strategies for these research programs.

Dr. Sharman is the director of research at the Willamette Valley Cancer Institute as well as the medical director of Hematology Research for The US Oncology Network.

He is well versed in the latest scientific breakthroughs across a diversity of cancers and has been instrumental in developing a number of important advances in treatment. Dr. Sharman has been widely published within the current scientific literature, including several publications within The New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Clinical Oncology Blood, and others.

Dr. Sharman received his medical degree from the University of California Davis. He completed his residency at Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital and fellowship at Stanford University.

He is board certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. Additionally, he is a medical oncologist, hematologist with Williamette Valley Cancer Institute & Research Center.

Dr. Strickland joined SCRI in 2022. In his role, he provides scientific leadership and oversees SCRI’s robust portfolio of clinical trials in leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and related diseases. As executive chair of the Leukemia Research Executive Committee, Dr. Strickland provides oversight and develops strategy for the leukemia program. Additionally, he is an executive member of the Immune Effector Cell Therapy Research Executive Committee.

Dr. Strickland joined SCRI from Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he served as the clinical director for acute leukemia and the malignant hematology and stem cell transplant medical director.

Dr. Strickland received his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine and completed his internship/residency in internal medicine, clinical fellowship in hematology/oncology, and a Master of Science in clinical investigation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

In addition to his role with SCRI, Dr. Strickland serves as leukemia specialist for the Sarah Cannon Transplant & Cellular Therapy Program at TriStar Centennial.