National/international awards and honors Paskett receives multiple major awards   Electra Paskett, PhD, associate director for population science and community outreach at the OSUCCC – James, received the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)-American Cancer Society (ACS) Cancer Prevention Award, which recognizes contributions to cancer prevention and control research or practice. Paskett delivered the award lecture at the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting. Read the full list of the 16 OSUCCC – James faculty and students who obtained ASCO awards at the 2022 meeting. Paskett also received the Bernard Fox Memorial Award from the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) – one of five different 2022 IPOS awards presented at the society’s Annual World Congress in Toronto, Canada. In addition, she was the 2022 recipient of the Association of American Cancer Institutes Cancer Health Equity Award for demonstrating exceptional leadership in promoting health equity, mitigating cancer disparities and advocating for diversity and inclusion. Paskett is co-leader of the Cancer Control Program and founding director of the Center for Cancer Health Equity at the OSUCCC – James.   Ghoneim wins scientific memorial award from American Association of Immunologists  Hazem Ghoneim, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity at Ohio State and member of the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology at the OSUCCC – James, received the Chambers Thermo Scientific Memorial Award from the American Association of Immunologists (AAI). The AAI annually selects one outstanding abstract from the Block symposium presentations for this award. Ghoneim is in the Cancer Biology Program at the OSUCCC – James. His research focuses on understanding the epigenetic programming of T-cells in infection and cancer.   Dedhia awarded Society of Asian Academic Surgeons Visiting Professorship Priya Dedhia, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology at Ohio State and member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James, was awarded the Society of Asian Academic Surgeons (SAAS) Visiting Professorship to City of Hope in Duarte, California. These professorships go to SAAS members who are within the first 10 years of their faculty appointment and are at the assistant or associate professor level. Dedhia’s research is focused on using human organoid technology to study the molecular basis of thyroid and adrenal cancers.   Andersen obtains APA Leadership in Science Advocacy Award Barbara Andersen, PhD, a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Psychology at Ohio State and member of the Cancer Control Program at the OSUCCC – James, received the Leadership in Science Advocacy Award from the American Psychological Association (APA) during the Advocacy Summit on Addressing the Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health and Health Equity. The award recognized her years of work in providing information to the Advocacy Office requests in responding to federal legislation and funding, connecting the advocacy of APA Division 38 (Health Psychology) to national advocacy initiatives, her work on the Cancer Moonshot Initiative and her support of the APA’s March for Science in Washington, DC. Andersen’s research focuses on the psychological, behavioral and biologic (biobehavioral) aspects of cancer as they relate to disease progression.   Obeng-Gyasi gains Underrepresented Minorities in Medicine Faculty Award Samilia Obeng-Gyasi, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology at Ohio State and member of the Cancer Control Program at the OSUCCC – James, received the Society of University Surgeons (SUS) Underrepresented Minorities in Medicine Junior Faculty Award for her work studying the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on patients with triple-negative breast cancer. A breast cancer specialist, Obeng-Gyasi focuses her research on examining how SDOH and financial toxicity affect clinical outcomes among breast cancer patients.   Guo named as fellow in National Academy of Inventors Peixuan Guo, DVM, PhD, professor in the College of Pharmacy at Ohio State, is one of 169 academic inventors named as National Academy of Inventors (NAI) fellows in 2022. Guo, who is in the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James and directs the Center for RNA Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine in the College of Pharmacy, is a pioneer in nanotechnology who was the first to prove that RNA strands can self-assemble into a nanoparticle. He has advanced understanding of RNA particles and properties that make them useful vehicles for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs.     Presley receives Rising Star Award from Women Leaders in Oncology  Carolyn Presley, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Medical Oncology at Ohio State and co-director of the Cancer Aging and Resiliency Clinic at the OSUCCC – James, is the 2022 recipient of the Rising Star Award from Women Leaders in Oncology (WLO), which recognizes and empowers women who have dedicated their careers to advancing oncology research. The award celebrates a physician early in her career who contributes to her field and demonstrates a commitment to transforming the status quo. Presley is in the Cancer Control Program at the OSUCCC – James, where her research focuses on helping older adults with lung cancer maintain functional independence. These studies incorporate geriatric assessment, palliative care and supportive-care interventions to improve risk factors for treatment toxicity and functional decline.    Chambers lands GOG New Investigator Award Laura Chambers, DO, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Ohio State, received the 2022 Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) New Investigator Award from the GOG Foundation Education/Mentoring Committee, the NRG Oncology Early Career New Investigator Committee and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO). The three-year award is for young investigators who want to become more engaged with the GOG Foundation and NRG Oncology and to learn more about the gynecologic cancer clinical trial process. Chambers treats patients with cancers of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina and vulva.    Martin selected as American Society for Radiation Oncology fellow Douglas Martin, MD, a radiation oncologist and vice chair of clinical operations for the Department of Radiation Oncology at Ohio State, received the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) fellow designation (FASTRO) at the ASTRO 64th Annual Meeting in October 2022. The ASTRO Fellows Program recognizes individuals who have substantially contributed to the society and to radiation oncology through research, education, patient care and service. Since its inception in 2006, the FASTRO designation has been awarded to just 421 of ASTRO’s 10,000 members worldwide.   Mrózek elected to Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences Krzysztof Mrózek, MD, PhD, a research scientist at the Clara D. Bloomfield Center for Leukemia Outcomes Research at the OSUCCC – James, was elected as a foreign member of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences. Based in Kraków, Poland, the academy celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022. With members from Poland and countries around the world, the academy contains six sections. Mrózek, who specializes in the study of hematologic malignancies, particularly acute myeloid leukemia, was elected to the Medicine section.   Pawlik becomes honorary fellow of Portuguese Society of Surgery  Timothy Pawlik, MD, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Surgery at Ohio State and member of the Cancer Control Program at the OSUCCC – James, was elected as an honorary fellow of the Portuguese Society of Surgery based in Lisbon, Portugal. Pawlik also serves as surgeon-in-chief for the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. He specializes in treating patients with liver, gall bladder, pancreatic and neuroendocrine tumors.     Chakraborty honored for colorectal cancer outreach Subhankar Chakraborty, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Ohio State, received a 2022 Service Award for Colorectal Cancer Outreach, Prevention & Year-Round Excellence (SCOPY) from the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) for the work that he and Ohio State’s community social workers did to spread awareness about colorectal cancer among the Bhutanese and Nepalese immigrant population. The SCOPY Award recognizes achievements of ACG members in their community engagement, education and awareness efforts for colorectal cancer prevention.   Chakravarti receives Louis B. Harrison Award Lectureship Arnab Chakravarti, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Ohio State and member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James, received the inaugural Louis B. Harrison Award Lectureship at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. The award recognizes his leadership in radiation oncology on the international level, including securing some of the highest levels of federal funding; directing the most expansive growth in clinical volume and the highest patient quality and safety nationally; leading innovation in proton therapy, FLASH therapy and translational research; and being the first Indian-American to chair a radiation oncology department among the nation’s top comprehensive cancer centers.    Crestani admitted to Partners in Bleeding Disorders Physician Academy Nicholas Gallastequi Crestani, MD, clinical assistant professor in the Division of Hematology at Ohio State, is among 10 faculty from around the nation who were admitted to the 2022 Partners in Bleeding Disorders Physician Academy, an educational program that supports and accelerates career advancement of physicians who are in fellowship or early in their career for leadership as part of the Hemophilia Treatment Center network.   Berman is recipient of John Slade Award from Society for Research on Nicotine & Tobacco Micah Berman, JD, associate professor in the College of Public Health and the College of Law at Ohio State, was named recipient of the 2023 John Slade Award from the Society for Research on Nicotine & Tobacco (SRNT). The award, to be presented at the SRNT annual meeting in March, “honors SRNT members who have made outstanding contributions to public health and tobacco control through science-based public policy and public advocacy.” 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 FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products and as a visiting scholar at the World Health Organization’s Center for International Cooperation on Tobacco Control.    Misty Lamprecht, APRN-CNS, clinical nurse specialist for the Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) program at the OSUCCC – James, received the 2023 Nursing Special Interest Groups (SIG) Clinical Excellence Award from the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT). The award, which goes to a nurse who has made an impact in BMT nursing or achieved a professional milestone, will be presented in February at the Tandem Meetings of the ASTCT and the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) in Orlando, Florida.    Distinguished career awards and honors Pollock receives MD Anderson Distinguished Alumnus Award Raphael E. Pollock, MD, PhD, director of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC), received the 2022 Distinguished Alumnus Award at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s virtual Research Trainee Day. The award recognizes “a prominent individual who has gone forward from MD Anderson to make notable contributions to his or her field.” Pollock served a fellowship in surgical oncology at MD Anderson (1982-1984). He earned his PhD in 1990 at The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and he served on the faculty at MD Anderson for 31 years before being recruited in 2013 to Ohio State.    Lee gains Distinguished Service Awards Cheryl Lee, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Urology at Ohio State and a member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James, received a Distinguished Service Award from the American Urological Association (AUA) for her outstanding commitment to patients with bladder cancer and for fostering a culture of inclusivity. The AUA annually honors the contributions of physician researchers and educators to the field of medicine, the specialty of urology and the AUA. Lee also received a Distinguished Service Award from the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO), which presents the annual award to a urologist “whose actions at work or in the community exceed job expectations and reflect values of compassion, respect, trust, commitment to excellence and teamwork, and also educate the community about urologic cancer.”   Ohio State PA earns national lifetime achievement award Cindy Koutz, PA-C, advanced practice provider (APP) manager of Inpatient Surgical Services at the OSUCCC – James, received the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Physician Assistants in Oncology (APAO). Koutz, who was recruited to Ohio State from MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2008, was selected for this award based on a peer-team nomination that described her as a transformational leader who skillfully looks at a challenge, considers solutions, and uses evidence and teamwork to solve the problem. APAO President Colleen Tetzlaff, PA-C, commended Koutz for her dedication to the profession, to APAO and to the advancement of physician assistants in oncology.   National leadership positions  Cloyd appointed editor-in-chief of Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer Jordan Cloyd, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology at Ohio State and member of the Cancer Control Program at the OSUCCC – James, was appointed editor-in-chief of the Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer. Cloyd treats patients with gastrointestinal, hepatopancreatobiliary, neuroendocrine and peritoneal surface malignancies.   Gosky is 2023 president of Association of Cancer Executives  David Gosky, executive director at the OSUCCC – James, is serving as president of the Association of Cancer Executives (ACE), a national organization committed to the leadership development of oncology executives through continuing education and professional networking to promote improvement in patient care. Gosky’s one-year term began in January after he had served as president-elect in 2022. In 2024 he will become immediate past president.    O’Malley elected to GOG Foundation Board of Directors  David O’Malley, MD, director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Ohio State and member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James, was elected to the board of directors of the GOG Foundation, an organization dedicated to transforming the standard of care in gynecologic oncology. Clinical implications of GOG research findings are globally disseminated to physicians and healthcare professionals, cancer survivors, families, support groups and advocates. O’Malley’s research focuses on identifying novel therapies for gynecologic cancers. He has designed, coordinated and published on all levels of clinical trials, with a special interest in novel compounds.   Mathey named to ONS Board of Directors Kris Mathey, APRN-CNP,  a James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute nurse practitioner and manager of The James Advanced Practice Professional (APP) Fellowship, was elected to the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Board of Directors. The ONS represents 100,000 nurses committed to promoting excellence in oncology nursing and the transformation of cancer care.   Senter-Jamieson joins Association of Community Cancer Centers board Leigha Senter-Jamieson, CGC, associate director of the Division of Human Genetics at Ohio State, was elected to the Association of Community Cancer Centers Board of Trustees for a two-year term. As a genetic counselor at the OSUCCC – James, she provides cancer risk assessment and counseling to patients receiving care in the outpatient gynecologic oncology clinic and oversees the genetic testing process for patients and their family members.   Lonser is chair-elect for the Washington Committee for Neurosurgery  Russell Lonser, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Ohio State, was named chair-elect for the Washington Committee for Neurosurgery, a joint committee of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the American Association of Neurosurgeons. The committee promotes federal public policy that supports neurosurgeons and patients. Lonser, a longstanding leader in healthcare policy, specializes in the resection of brain, spinal cord pituitary and brainstem tumors.    Carr elected to American College of Mohs Surgeons Board David Carr, MD, clinical associate professor in the Department of Dermatology at Ohio State, was elected to the American College of Mohs Surgery Board of Directors. He also received the Making a Difference Award from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Recipients are chosen for the significance of their work and for volunteer activity with exceptional service to community, the underserved, the local dermatology society, academics and the AAD. Carr is a dermatologist with a primary focus on cutaneous oncology. As a Mohs micrographic surgeon, he specializes in the surgical removal of skin cancer and in post-surgical reconstruction.    Belury is president of American Society for Nutrition Martha Belury, PhD, RD, a member of the Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program at the OSUCCC – James, is 2022-23 president of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN), the preeminent professional organization for nutrition research scientists and clinicians around the world. At Ohio State, Belury is a professor in the Department of Human Sciences. She also is interim chair of the Department of Food Science and Technology. Belury is a translational nutrition scientist working to identify the role of dietary fatty acids and bioactive polyphenols in inflammation and metabolism in human health and disease, including cancer.   Makary serves on American College of Radiology Expert Panel Mina Makary, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Ohio State, was appointed to the American College of Radiology’s Appropriateness Criteria Expert Panel on Interventional Radiology. He serves on the national stage to advocate for and help create evidence-based guidelines for advancing patient care quality outcomes. Makary’s specialties include interventional oncology, hepatobiliary care, genitourinary interventions, venous disease and reconstruction, women’s health and diagnostic imaging, among others.   Physicians, pharmacist serving in Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network Three physicians in the Division of Hematology and a hematology pharmacist at Ohio State were selected to serve in the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN). The network is funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to facilitate participation of a large network of centers in clinical trials available to patients across the nation. Hannah Choe, MD, is on the GVHD Prophylaxis Protocol Team. Sumithira Vasu, MBBS, chairs the Patient and Caregiver Advocacy Committee. Sarah Wall, MD, is on the Dissemination and Implementation Committee. Justin Tossey, PharmD, a hematology clinical specialist pharmacist, chairs the Pharmacy Committee.   Pollock appointed chair-elect of Big Ten Research Consortium Raphael E. Pollock, MD, PhD, director of the OSUCCC and professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology at Ohio State, was appointed chair-elect of the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium (CRC) Foundation. A research collaboration among the cancer centers at institutions in the Big Ten Conference, the CRC leverages scientific and clinical expertise to improve the lives of patients with cancer through clinical trials and observational studies. Pollock, who also directs Ohio State’s Sarcoma Research Laboratory, is a surgical oncologist and researcher who specializes in soft tissue sarcoma.   Vasu co-chaired Scientific Organizing Committee for Tandem Meetings of two national entities Sumithira Vasu, MBBS, associate professor in the Division of Hematology at Ohio State, co-chaired the Scientific Organizing Committee for the 2023 Tandem Meetings (Feb. 15-19) of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy and the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research. A member of the Leukemia Research Program at the OSUCCC – James, Vasu treats patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. She also is medical director of the James and W.W. Williams Stem Cell Therapy Lab at the OSUCCC – James.    Honors at Ohio State  Jaglowski named OSUCCC – James associate chief clinical information and cancer informatics officer  Samantha Jaglowski, MD, professor in the Division of Hematology at Ohio State and member of the Leukemia Research Program at the OSUCCC – James, became associate chief clinical information and cancer informatics officer (ACCIO/CIO) at the OSUCCC – James. In this newly created role, Jaglowski is responsible for the cancer program’s clinical informatics strategy, integrating with that of the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. Jaglowski has been involved in The James’ clinical informatics program for years, serving on committees and leveraging informatics platforms to improve patient care and facilitate research.    Paskett named 2022 College of Medicine Distinguished Professor Electra Paskett, PhD, professor and director of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control at Ohio State, was named the 2022 College of Medicine (COM) Distinguished Professor. Paskett also is associate director for population science and co-leader of the Cancer Control Program at the OSUCCC – James, where she serves as founding director of the Center for Cancer Health Equity. The COM Distinguished Professor award acknowledges her many accomplishments as a leader and educator in cancer health equity, and as one of the top National Institutes of Health-funded researchers in the nation.    Merritt appointed as Adenil Day Designated Professor Robert Merritt, MD, director of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Ohio State, was appointed as the newly established Adenil Day Designated Professor at the OSUCCC – James. The professorship, which honors the matriarch of the Day family, will support Merritt’s work in the operating room and beyond as he and his team care for patients with thoracic malignancies. Brighter Days Foundation established the professorship. Adenil Day was the mother of major champion and 12-time PGA Tour winner Jason Day, who founded Brighter Days along with his wife, Ellie. Merritt, who also is director of inpatient services at the OSUCCC – James, specializes in minimally invasive thoracic surgery and robotic surgery.   Agnese and Prevedello receive Master Clinician Award   Doreen Agnese, MD, associate professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology, and Daniel Prevedello, MD, professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery, were among eight recipients of the 2022 Mazzaferri-Ellison Society Master Clinician Award from the Ohio State College of Medicine, which created the society to recognize excellence in clinical practice, teaching, mentoring, professionalism, leadership and service. Agnese is a surgical oncologist, clinical geneticist and researcher who treats patients with breast cancer, specializing in high-risk patients. Prevedello, who directs the Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery programs at the OSUCCC – James, specializes in brain and skull base tumors.   Career development awards  Mihaylova selected for Pew Scholars Program to advance knowledge of metabolism and diet’s effect on aging intestinal cells Maria Mihaylova, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology at Ohio State’s College of Medicine, and member of the Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program at the OSUCCC – James, is one of 22 early-career scientists nationwide who were selected for the newest class of the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences. Chosen from 197 applicants nominated by academic institutions and researchers across the country, these scholars will receive four years of funding from The Pew Charitable Trusts to explore pressing questions in health and medicine. Mihaylova will receive funding over four years to examine how changes in intestinal stem cells and progenitor cells can lead to digestive issues as people age.   Kittai receives ASCO Career Development Award Adam Kittai, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Hematology at Ohio State and member of the Leukemia Research Program at the OSUCCC – James, received the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2022 Career Development Award for his project titled “A Phase II Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of the Combination of Zanubrutinib Plus Lisocabtagene Maraleucel for Richter Syndrome.” The award provides research funding to early-career clinical investigators working to establish independent research. Kitai treats patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Richter syndrome.   Dulmage earns Medical Dermatology Career Development Award Brittany Dulmage, MD, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Dermatology at Ohio State, received the Medical Dermatology Career Development Award from the Dermatology Foundation. This prestigious three-year award provides support for research and development activities. Dulmage is expanding her supportive oncodermatology clinic, which provides specialty dermatological care for patients undergoing cancer treatment.   Voorhees chosen as Lymphoma Research Foundation scholar Timothy Voorhees, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Hematology at Ohio State, was selected as a Lymphoma Research Foundation Scholar in the 2023 Lymphoma Scientific Research Mentoring Program (LSRMP) – Clinical Track for his project titled “Phase Ib Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Epcoritamab in Relapsed and Refractory PTLD” (post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder). Voorhees treats patients with Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. His research focuses on advancing immunotherapy and cellular therapies through clinical trials in hopes that fewer patients will require chemotherapy. The LSRMP is an education and mentoring program with a clinical track and a laboratory/translational track.