Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), one of the world’s leading oncology research organizations conducting community-based clinical trials, is pleased to announce the appointment of Naga Koteswari Sucharita “Suchi” Cheedella, MD, as Associate Director of SCRI at Mary Crowley, effective September 1, 2026. An experienced early-phase investigator and gastrointestinal oncologist, Dr. Cheedella will help advance the development of novel cancer therapies and expand access to clinical trials for patients across North Texas.
Dr. Cheedella will be employed by Texas Oncology, part of the SCRI research network, and dedicated solely to SCRI at Mary Crowley. SCRI at Mary Crowley is one of SCRI's seven early-phase drug development units and serves as a hub for advancing cutting-edge cancer therapies in North Texas.
“Dr. Cheedella brings deep experience in early drug development, gastrointestinal oncology and community-based clinical research,” said David Spigel, MD, President and Chief Medical Officer, SCRI. "Her scientific leadership, clinical experience and commitment to patients will be invaluable in advancing innovative therapies and broadening access to research opportunities."
She is a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, hematology, and medical oncology. She joins SCRI at Mary Crowley from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, where she served as an associate professor, director of the Early Drug Development Program, and co-director of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program. Previously, she also served as a Phase 1 clinical investigator at NEXT Oncology Dallas and held faculty appointments at UT Health San Antonio, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Her clinical research experience spans first-in-human and other early-phase studies, including targeted therapies, immunotherapies, antibody-drug conjugates, and RAS inhibitors. She has served as a principal investigator and sub-investigator on clinical trials and has authored or co-authored research published and presented in leading oncology forums.
Dr. Cheedella completed her hematology and oncology fellowship and internal medicine residency at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, serving as chief fellow during her final year of fellowship. She earned her medical degree from Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad, India.
SCRI at Mary Crowley joined the SCRI research network in 2025, building on more than 25 years of early-phase research in Dallas and a longstanding collaboration with Texas Oncology physicians. The center has conducted more than 850 clinical trials and continues to offer patients access to innovative treatment options close to home.