Li elected as AAAS fellow
Zihai Li, MD, PhD, a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology at Ohio State and founding director of the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO) at the OSUCCC – James, is among seven scientists at Ohio State who were elected to the 2021 class of Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The AAAS Fellowship, which recognizes individuals for scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications, is one of the most prestigious honors a U.S. scientist can receive. Fellows are elected by their academic peers. Li was elected for contributions to the field of molecular immunology, particularly the roles of the heat shock protein 96 in chaperone biology, cancer progression, immune response and tolerance. Read more about Li’s work at health.osu.edu and Li’s lab at cancer.osu.edu.
Yang inducted into AAP
Yiping Yang, MD, PhD, professor and director of the Division of Hematology in the Department of Internal Medicine at Ohio State, was inducted to the Association of American Physicians (AAP). Yang, who also is in the Leukemia Research Program at the OSUCCC – James and holds the Jeg Coughlin Chair in Cancer Research, was nominated for his pioneering studies on the critical role of the CD40 co-stimulating protein in initiating T-cell-dependent immune responses, and for his work on Tolllike receptors in overcoming immune tolerance, which has served as a guiding principle in cancer immunotherapy. Read more about Yang’s work at health.osu.edu.
Merritt receives 2021 Humanism in Medicine Award
Robert Merritt, MD, associate professor and director of the Division of Thoracic Surgery in the Department of Surgery at Ohio State, was a recipient of the 2021 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award from The Arnold P. Gold Foundation. These awards recognize graduating students and faculty members who demonstrate both clinical excellence and outstanding compassion in the delivery of care, and who show respect for patients, families and health care colleagues.
Shields receives national award relating smoking and disease
Peter Shields, MD, deputy director of the OSUCCC and a thoracic oncologist at The James, was one of two scientists nationally who received the 36th annual Alton Ochsner Award Relating Smoking and Disease, which celebrates individuals who have made major contributions regarding the relationship between smoking and disease along with the development of innovative treatment modalities. Ochsner Health is a not-for-profit system that delivers health care to people in Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South. Shields’ research identifies phenotypes and gene-environment interactions related to cancer risk, specifically breast and lung cancer. His work explores smoking-related biomarkers of exposure and harm.
Eisfeld to help author AML classification for WHO Blue Books 5th Series
Ann-Kathrin Eisfeld, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology at Ohio State and member of the Leukemia Research Program at the OSUCCC – James, was invited to be an author for the classification of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) for the World Health Organization (WHO) Blue Books 5th Series. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is responsible for publishing the WHO Classification of Tumours series, now in its fifth edition. The WHO Blue Books provide the definitive evidence-based classification of all cancer types, enhancing diagnosis and research that will lead to improved patient care worldwide. Eisfeld is also director of the Clara D. Bloomfield Center for Leukemia Outcomes Research at the OSUCCC – James.
Berman receives national award for tobacco control advocacy
Tobacco control expert Micah Berman, JD, associate professor in the College of Public Health and the Moritz College of Law at Ohio State, was honored with the American Public Health Association’s annual David P. Rall Award for Advocacy in Public Health for his commitment to science-based prevention of tobacco-related illness and death. Berman, a member of the Cancer Control Program at the OSUCCC – James, has worked on everything from local initiatives to international tobacco control policy. He has served as a senior adviser to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products and as a visiting scholar at the World Health Organization’s Center for International Cooperation on Tobacco Control.
Maddocks selected to serve on ASH Subcommittee on Clinical Trials
Kami Maddocks, MD, professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology at Ohio State and member of the Leukemia Research Program at the OSUCCC – James, was selected to serve on the American Society of Hematology’s (ASH) new Subcommittee on Clinical Trials for three years. Also, Maddocks was selected for membership in the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s Mantle Cell Lymphoma Consortium. The consortium comprises nearly 150 international laboratory and clinical scientists who study MCL, a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Maddocks treats patients with B-cell malignancies, including NHL, Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Speech & swallowing pathologist gains prestigious national award
Veena Kallambettu, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, a speech and swallowing pathologist on the Speech and Language Pathology (SLP) Head and Neck Cancer Team at the OSUCCC – James, was the 2021 recipient of the Louis M. DiCarlo Award for Recent Clinical Achievement from the American Speech-LanguagePathology Foundation (ASHFoundation). Kallambettu was recognized for designing and implementing a Speech Intelligibility Testing Program in Head and Neck Cancer and a Velopharyngeal Functional Assessment Program – two novel and comprehensive outcome assessments for patients with oral cavity cancers.
Brophy and Nolan receive national nursing awards
Lynne Brophy, MSN, PMGT-BC, APRN-CNS, AOCN, a breast oncology clinical nurse specialist at the OSUCCC – James, received the annual Clinical Nurse Specialist Evidence-Based Practice/Quality Improvement Award from the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS). Timiya Nolan, PhD, APRN-CNP, ANP-BC, assistant professor in the College of Nursing at Ohio State and member of the Cancer Control Program at the OSUCCC – James, received the 2022 Victoria Mock New Investigator Award from the Oncology Nursing Society. Nolan’s research focuses on self-management of chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease, with an interest in developing and testing age- and culturally sensitive interventions that promote health and quality of life.
Copeland honored with Distinguished Service Award from Society of Gynecologic Oncology
Larry Copeland, MD, professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Ohio State and member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James, received a 2020-21 Distinguished Service Award from the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO). The award recognizes individuals who display continuous outstanding meritorious service in the field of gynecologic oncology. The award was presented at the SGO’s 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer.
Kinghorn’s career accomplishments highlighted in special issue of scientific journal
The Journal of Natural Products honored A. Douglas Kinghorn, PhD, DSc, a member of the Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program at the OSUCCC – James, in a special issue highlighting his impact on the field of natural products and his career accomplishments in the academic, private and public sectors, including 14 patents, 430 research articles and 80 book chapters. Kinghorn is a professor and the Jack L. Beal Chair in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy for Ohio State’s College of Pharmacy. The special issue is a tribute to his career.
Ringel receives Distinguished Leadership Award from American Thyroid Association
Matthew Ringel, MD, co-leader of the Cancer Biology Program at the OSUCCC – James, was the 2021 recipient of the American Thyroid Association’s (ATA) Sidney H. Ingbar Distinguished Lectureship Award for outstanding academic achievements in thyroidology. The award goes to “an established investigator who has made major contributions to thyroid-related research over many years.” The ATA says Ringel, director of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism in the Department of Internal Medicine at Ohio State, was honored “for his innovative and visionary leadership and research in thyroid cancer. His research focuses on basic mechanisms of thyroid cancer tumorigenesis and metastasis, and his work in cell signaling in thyroid cancer has had an impact on the development of novel therapeutic approaches.”
Paskett honored by the NCI as a “champion and changemaker”
Electra Paskett, PhD, MSPH, associate director for population sciences and community outreach at the OSUCCC – James and director of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control in the Department of Internal Medicine at Ohio State, was listed by the NCI Division of Cancer Prevention among 50 “champions and changemakers of cancer prevention, early detection and symptom science” in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Act. The division credited Paskett for her more than 30-year career as a cancer epidemiologist investigating “several sides of cancer’s long trajectory: asymptomatic screening; symptom management; and survivorship … Her central focus continues to be health disparities in cancer prevention (particularly HPV vaccination) and early detection; in access to diagnostic and treatment services; and in survivorship.”
Carbone collects LUNGevity Face of Hope Award & IASLC award for lifetime achievement
David Carbone, MD, PhD, director of the Thoracic Oncology Center at the OSUCCC – James, received the LUNGevity Face of Hope Award from the LUNGevity Foundation, a lung cancer-focused nonprofit organization. These national awards go to individuals who are making a difference in the lives of people with lung cancer. ALSO, Carbone received the 2021 Paul A. Bunn Scientific Award from the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) Board of Directors Executive Committee. This award honors an IASLC scientist for a lifetime achievement of scientific contributions to thoracic cancer research. Carbone is a former IASLC president. He’s also a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology at Ohio State and co-leader of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James. Read more about Carbone’s work at health.osu.edu.
Ramaswamy receives national Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Heroes award
Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy, MD, professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology at Ohio State and member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James, was one of four national recipients of the inaugural Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Heroes™ awards from CURE Media Group, a multimedia platform devoted to cancer updates and research. The CURE Media Group noted that Ramaswamy has worked tirelessly to improve care and quality of life for patients with breast cancer. Her work as a founder of the Living Well with Advanced Breast Cancer Clinic at the OSUCCC – James – designed for patients with newly diagnosed metastatic breast cancer – was highlighted as well.
Cohn named editor-in-chief for Gynecologic Oncology
David E. Cohn, MD, MBA, FACHE, chief medical officer at the OSUCCC – James, became editor-inchief of the journal Gynecologic Oncology in January 2022 after serving as a deputy editor since 2011. The official publication of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO), Gynecologic Oncology is an international journal devoted to publishing clinical and investigative articles that concern tumors of the female reproductive tract. Cohn is a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Ohio State and a member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James.
Mayerson elected secretary of AAOS Board of Councilors
Joel Mayerson, MD, professor in the Department of Orthopaedics at Ohio State and an orthopedic oncologist at the OSUCCC – James, was elected secretary of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Board of Councilors (BOC). The BOC manages AAOS relations with state and regional orthopaedic societies across the United States, conducting programs to strengthen and support them. Mayerson’s role as secretary will progress to chair over three years. ALSO, he was elected to the AAOS Board of Directors for a three-year term that began in March 2022. At the OSUCCC – James, Mayerson is director of the sarcoma program and of musculoskeletal oncology, and medical director of perioperative services. Read more about Mayerson’s pioneering work at health.osu.edu.
Wells-Di Gregorio becomes president-elect of American Psychological Oncology Society
Sharla Wells-Di Gregorio, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Palliative Medicine at Ohio State, and member of the Cancer Control Program at the OSUCCC – James, was elected as president-elect of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS). Her term began at the close of the APOS Annual Conference in March 2022 and will continue through the close of the APOS Annual Conference in 2023. That will be followed by a term as president from 2023 to 2024, and as past president from 2024-2025. Wells-Di Gregorio specializes in psychosocial oncology and palliative medicine.
Tabung appointed to editorial board of Journal of Nutrition
Fred Tabung, PhD, MSPH, assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology at Ohio State and member of the Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program at the OSUCCC – James, was appointed to a two-year term on the editorial board of the Journal of Nutrition. Tabung’s research focuses on the role of dietary patterns in cancer risk and survival, especially among patients with gastrointestinal tract cancers.
Backes elected as board member for Society of Gynecologic Oncology
Floor Backes, MD, professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Ohio State and member of the Cancer Control Program at the OSUCCC – James, was elected as a board member for the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO). She began her term after the SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer in March 2022. With more than 2,000 members, the SGO is a global organization for gynecologic oncologists, medical oncologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, patient advocates and others who work to prevent and treat gynecologic cancers with equity. Backes treats patients with ovarian, endometrial, cervical, vaginal, vulva and other gynecologic cancers.
Knopp re-elected to ACNM Board of Directors
Michael V. Knopp, MD, PhD, professor in the Department of Radiology at Ohio State and member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James, was re-elected to the American College of Nuclear Medicine (ACNM) Board of Directors for a second term through 2025. The ACNM is a professional organization of physicians and other nuclear medicine professionals dedicated to enhancing the practice of nuclear medicine. Knopp also directs the Wright Center of Innovation in Biomedical Imaging at Ohio State and is the Imaging Leader of the NCI’s National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core (IROC).
Shah named co-chair of ATA task force for medullary thyroid cancer treatment guidelines
Manisha Shah, MD, professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology at Ohio State and member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James, was appointed co-chair of the American Thyroid Association’s Task Force for Systemic Therapies for Medullary Thyroid Cancer Guidelines. She also led a successful Annual International Thyroid Oncology Group (ITOG) Meeting in May 2021 as president of ITOG. Shah is chief of the Endocrine Medical Oncology team at the OSUCCC – James, where she treats patients with neuroendocrine, thyroid and adrenal cancers, as well as paraganglioma, pheochromocytoma and pituitary tumors.
Wesolowski elected co-chair of clinical trial committee in Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium
Robert Wesolowski, MD, associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology at Ohio State and member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James, was elected as a co-chair of the Correlatives Clinical Trial Working Group Committee at the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium. Wesolowski treats patients with all types of breast cancer, including female and male breast cancers, ductal breast carcinomas, lobular carcinomas, medullary carcinomas and inflammatory breast cancers. His research is focused on breast cancer immunology.
Cancer researcher named 2021 Innovator of the Year at Ohio State
Peixuan Guo, PhD, a member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James and a professor in the College of Pharmacy, was named 2021 Innovator of the Year by The Ohio State University Office of Research and the Corporate Engagement Office for his studies focusing on the application of RNA nanotechnology to cancer therapy. The annual award recognizes Ohio State researchers who are promoting commercialization of university intellectual property through invention disclosures filed, patents applied for and/or received, technologies licensed, or spin-off companies formed. Guo’s research has led to several discoveries.
Skoracki becomes director of Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center
Roman Skoracki, MD, a professor in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Ohio State, was appointed as medical director of the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center (SSCBC) at the OSUCCC – James. Skoracki, who joined Ohio State’s medical faculty in 2014 after serving 11 years at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, also leads the division of oncologic plastic surgery at Ohio State and is a member of the Cancer Control Program at the OSUCCC – James. James CEO William Farrar, MD, who had served as medical director of the SSCBC since its inception in 2011, transitioned out of that role to focus exclusively on his position as CEO.
Oppong tapped as deputy director of Ohio State’s Center for Cancer Health Equity
Bridget Oppong, MD, was appointed deputy director of the Center for Cancer Health Equity (CCHE) at the OSUCCC – James. A surgical oncologist specializing in breast cancer and an active public health researcher, Oppong also serves as an associate professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology at Ohio State and is a member of the OSUCCC – James Cancer Control Program. Her research focuses on health disparities that lead to poorer outcomes and higher mortality rates among patients with breast cancer. She investigates racial and ethnic differences in breast cancer management and outcomes that will inform future interventions. Electra Paskett, PhD, MSPH, is founding director of the CCHE.
Woyach becomes co-leader of Leukemia Research Program
Jennifer Woyach, MD, a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology at Ohio State, accepted the role as co-leader of the Leukemia Research (LR) Program at the OSUCCC – James along with co-leader Ramiro Garzon, MD, who is also a professor in the Division of Hematology. Woyach, a longstanding member of the LR Program, is a hematologist-oncologist who specializes in treating patients with blood cancers, particularly chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and B-cell lymphomas. Her research focuses on targeted therapies for CLL and on strategies to help patients overcome resistance to those therapies. Read more about Woyach’s work at health.osu.edu.
Dedhia earns SUS Junior Faculty Research Scholar Award
Priya Dedhia, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology at Ohio State and member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James, received the 2021-22 Society of University Surgeons (SUS) Foundation Junior Faculty Research Scholar Award. This one-year award goes to junior surgical faculty members in the United States or Canada to support their research in the basic, clinical/outcomes or translational surgical sciences. Dedhia’s project focuses on determining the contribution of Wnt and IGF2, oncogenic pathways known to be dysregulated in adrenocortical carcinoma, in metastatic progression.
Presley receives Emerging Leaders Career Development Award
Carolyn Presley, MD, MHS, assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology at Ohio State and member of the Cancer Control Program at the OSUCCC – James, received the Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award. The award is presented through an initiative by the National Institute on Aging, the American Federation for Aging Research and the John A. Hartford Foundation to develop a cadre of talented scientists willing to take leadership roles in transformative change leading to better health outcomes. Presley’s award is for $1.2 million over five years. Her funding supports a project focusing on resiliency among adults with lung cancer using a novel supportive care intervention.
Owen accepts LUNGevity Career Development Award for lung cancer research
Dwight Owen, MD, MS, assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology at Ohio State and member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James, was one of three recipients nationwide of a 2021 Career Development Award for lung cancer research from the LUNGevity Foundation, a lung cancer-focused nonprofit organization. These three-year awards, funded at $100,000 per year, support lung cancer research projects and provide recipients with mentorship by LUNGevity’s Scientific Advisory Board. Owen’s project is “Targeting Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs) in Lung Cancer.”