Training of Academic Surgical Oncologists

Jennifer Wargo, M.D.
Principal Investigator 

Ashley Holder, M.D. 
Co-Principal Investigator and Program Director

Matthew H.G. Katz, M.D.
Surgical Oncology Department Chair

Kever Lewis, M.D.
University of Mississippi
Second-Year Fellow
Mentor: Dr. Rebecca Snyder

Ashlee Seldomridge, M.D.
Boston University
Second-Year Fellow
Mentor: Dr. Ashley Holder

Shoshana T. Levi, M.D.
First-Year Fellow
Mentors: Dr. Hop Tran Cao & Dr. Jennifer Wargo

Megan McClanahan, M.D.
First-Year Fellow
Houston Methodist 
Mentor: Dr Anthony Lucci 

George Calin, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology
Co-Director, The RNA Interference and non-codingRNA Center
Co-Director, MD/PhD Program, The University of Texas, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Dr. George Calin's main research interests are: 1) the involvement of non-coding RNAs in human diseases in general and of microRNAs in human cancers in particular, 2) the study of familial predisposition to human cancers, 3) the identification of ncRNA biomarkers in body fluids, and 4) the development of new RNA-basedtherapeutic options for cancer patients. Visit the Calin Lab webpage here.

Relevant Publications: 
Loss of p53 drives neuron reprogramming in head and neck cancer. Amit M, Takahashi H, Dragomir MP, Lindemann A, Gleber-Netto FO, Pickering CR, Anfossi S, Osman AA, Cai Y, Wang R, Knutsen E, Shimizu M, Ivan C, Rao X, Wang J, Silverman DA, Tam S, Zhao M, Caulin C, Zinger A, Tasciotti E, Dougherty PM, El-Naggar A, Calin GA, Myers JN. Nature. 2020 Feb;578(7795):449-454. doi: 10.1038/s41586-020-1996-3. Epub 2020 Feb 12. PMID: 32051587 

Michael Davies, M.D.
Professor & Chairman, Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology
Joint Appointment, Departments of Translational Molecular Pathology and Genomic Medicine
Anne and John Mendelsohn Chair for Cancer Research

Dr. Michael Davies is a physician-scientist whose research utilizes integrated approaches to study the regulation and clinical significance of oncogenic signaling networks in cancer, with particular focus on therapeutic resistance and CNS metastasis. His research approaches utilize both preclinical models and clinical specimens to address key questions in these and other research areas.

Relevant Publications: 
Changes in outcomes and factors associated with survival in melanoma patients with brain metastases. Hasanov M, Milton DR, Davies AB, Sirmans E, Saberian C, Posada EL, Opusunju S, Gershenwald JE, Torres-Cabala CA, Burton EM, Colen RR, Huse JT, Glitza Oliva IC, Chung C, McAleer MF, McGovern SL, Yeboa DN, Kim BYS, Prabhu SS, McCutcheon IE, Weinberg JS, Lang FF, Tawbi HA, Li J, Haydu LE, Davies MA, Ferguson SD. Neuro Oncol. 2023 Jul 6;25(7):1310-1320. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/noac251. PMID: 36510640

Melanoma Brain Metastasis: Biology and Therapeutic Advances. Hasanov M, Acikgoz Y, Davies MA. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2024 Oct;38(5):1027-1043. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2024.05.008. Epub 2024 Jun 5. PMID: 38845301

Sharon Giordano, M.D.
Department Chair, Department of Health Services Research
Professor of Medicine and Internist, Department of Breast Medical Oncology
Colin Powell Chair for Cancer Research

Dr. Sharon Giordano's research interests include quality of health care delivery, health equity, and outcomes among people with breast cancer. She has successfully mentored prior trainees on NCI K awards, ASCO Young Investigator Grants and DOD grants. Her work in mentoring was recognized by the Cancer Medicine Mentor of the Year Award and the MD Anderson President's Faculty Excellence Award in Education and Mentorship. In 2024, she received ASCO’s Hologic Women Who Conquer Cancer Mentorship Award.

Ashley Holder, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology

Dr. Ashley Holder’s lab is currently exploring the lymphatic transport of immune cells between primary cutaneous melanoma and the sentinel nodal basin to understand how macrophages facilitate lymphatic metastasis, which is supported by the ACS Clowes Award and the DOD Melanoma Academy Scholar Award, and its relationship to the gut microbiome in a Multi-PI R01. Her basic and translational research program aims to build our understanding of the metastatic process, ultimately culminating in the development of innovative therapies for cutaneous melanoma and other cancers.

Microbiome and Immunotherapy for Melanoma: Are We Ready for Clinical Application? Haddad A, Holder AM. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2024 Jun 21; PMID: 38908958.

Definingclinically useful biomarkers of immune checkpoint inhibitors in solid  tumours. Holder AM, Dedeilia A, Sierra-Davidson K, Cohen S, Liu D, Parikh A, Boland GM. Nat Rev Cancer. 2024 Jul; 24(7):498-512. PMID: 38867074.

Kelly Hunt, M.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Breast Surgical Oncology
Joint Appointments in Experimental Radiation Oncology and Surgical Oncology

Dr. Kelly Hunt’s research is focused on the identification of predictive biomarkers to provide most effective therapeutic strategies based on tumor biology. In the clinical setting, the aim of her research is to determine whether less invasive surgical procedures can provide effective treatment strategies for patients with breast cancer and soft tissue sarcomas. The goal of her translational research is to develop novel treatment strategies targeting cell cycle regulation in sarcomas and breast cancer.

Relevant Publications: 
Cytoplasmic Cyclin E Expression Predicts for Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer. Karakas C, Francis AM*, Ha MJ, Wingate HF, Meena RA, Yi M, Rasaputra KS, Barrera AMG, Arun B, Do KA, Sahin A, Keyomarsi K, Hunt KK. Ann Surg. 2021 Aug 1;274(2):e150-e159. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000003551.PMID: 31436549 

CDK4/6 Inhibitors Sensitize Rb-positive Sarcoma Cells to Wee1 Kinase Inhibition through Reversible Cell-Cycle Arrest. Francis AM*, Alexander A, Liu Y, Vijayaraghavan S, Low KH, Yang D, Bui T, Somaiah N, Ravi V, Keyomarsi K, Hunt KK. Mol Cancer Ther. 2017 Sep;16(9):1751-1764. doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-17-0040. Epub 2017 Jun 15. PMID: 28619757 

Eugene Koay, M.D.
Professor, Department of Gastrointestinal Radiation Oncology

Dr. Eugene Koay focuses on hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer research. This
research spans clinical and translational sciences, including therapeutic clinical trials for cholangiocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and pancreatic cancer, as well as early detection studies that use radiomics and artificial intelligence. He collaborates with physicists and mathematicians to understand the phenomena observed in his clinical and translational research studies.

Relevant Publications: 
Definitive Liver Radiotherapy for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma with Extrahpatic Metastase. De B, Upadhyay R, Liao K, Kumala T, Shi C, Dodoo G, Abi Jaoude J, Corrigan KL, Manzar GS, Marqueen KE, Bernard V, Lee SS, Raghav KPS, Vauthey JN, Tzeng CD, Tran Cao HS, Lee G, Wo JY, Hong TS, Crane CH, Minsky BD, Smith GL, Holliday EB, Taniguchi CM, Koong AC, Das P, Javle M, Ludmir EB, Koay EJ. Liver Cancer. 2023 Mar 16;12(3):198-208. doi: 10.1159/000530134. eCollection 2023 Aug. PMID: 37593365

Early prediction of clinical response to checkpoint inhibitor therapy in human solid tumors through mathematical modeling. Butner JD, Martin GV, Wang Z, Corradetti B, Ferrari M, Esnaola N, Chung C, Hong DS, Welsh JW, Hasegawa N, Mittendorf EA, Curley SA, Chen SH, Pan PY, Libutti SK, Ganesan S, Sidman RL, Pasqualini R, Arap W, Koay EJ, Cristini V. Elife. 2021 Nov 9;10:e70130. doi: 10.7554/eLife.70130. PMID: 34749885

Florencia McAllister, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention
Joint Appointment, Associate Professor, Department of Gastrointestinal (GI) Medical Oncology

Dr. Florencia McAllister has a strong commitment to research and is passionate
about education. She is a member of the UT/MDACC Graduate School, where she co-directed the Cancer Metastasis course and has been an instructor in Immunology Courses. She has an open-door policy in her laboratory which allows close mentoring and hands-on involvement and has resulted in high productivity in trainees. The McAllister Laboratory studies the interplay between the immune system, microbes and tumors behavior. They are fundamentally interested in understanding how those interactions ultimately determine tumor initiation, progression, therapies responses and metastasis. She has an extensive record of mentoring high school, undergraduate, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows/research investigators/research scientists, international visiting scholars, and medical students including those that are underrepresented in the field of biomedical research. 

Relevant Publications: 
Germline Testing Identifies Pathogenic/Likely Pathogenic Variants in Patients with Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors. Mohindroo C, Baydogan S, Agarwal P, Wright RD, Prakash LR, Mork ME, Klein AP, Laheru DA, Maxwell JE, Katz MHG, Dasari A, Kim MP, He J, McAllister F, De Jesus-Acosta A. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2024 Jul 2;17(7):335-342. doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-23-0483. PMID: 38662083.

Bacterial and fungal characterization of pancreatic adenocarcinoma from Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided biopsies. Wright RD, Bartelli TF, Baydogan S, White JR, Kim MP, Bhutani MS, McAllister F. Front Immunol. 2023 Oct 13;14:1268376. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1268376. PMID: 37901238; PMCID: PMC10611524.

Transient CA19-9 Elevation Post-COVID-19 Vaccine and Infection: A Case Series. Baydogan S, Wright R, Kottoor RT, Kim M, Bhutani MS, McAllister F. Gastro Hep Adv. 2023 Jun 30;2(7):946-947. doi: 10.1016/j.gastha.2023.06.008. PMID: 39130759; PMCID: PMC11307509.

Beth Helmink, M.D., Ph.D. 
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology

Dr. Beth Helmink’s research interests include peritoneal surface malignancies including peritoneal mesothelioma and appendiceal neoplasms/cancers and HIPEC. She is especially interested in the anti-tumor immune response, focusing on identifying unique components of the peritoneal immune system and their role in appendiceal cancer.

John Lin, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Health Services Research
Assistant Professor, Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology

John Lin is a medical oncologist and health services researcher. His research lies at the intersection of cancer and health policy, with a goal of ensuring that all cancer patients in the United States receive high quality cancer care, no matter who they are or where they live. 



Relevant Publications:
Specialty Oral Anticancer Prescription Fill Rates After Medicare Part D Cost-Sharing Changes in 2024. Lin JK, Li P, Lei X, Desai SM, Doshi JA. JAMA. 2026 Jan 27;335(4):366-367. 

Racial and Ethnic Disparities Along the Treatment Cascade Among Medicare
Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries With Metastatic Breast, Colorectal, Lung, and
Prostate Cancers. Lin JK, Niu J, Giordano SH, Li P, Snyder RA, Liao K, Li M, Aparicio A, Chapin W, Zhang J, Xiang J, Perera N, Pain D, Guerra CE, Doshi JA. J Clin Oncol. 2025 Oct 20;43(30):3254-3265. 

Nationwide Response to Carboplatin and Cisplatin Shortages in Lung
Cancer. Lin JK, Xu Y, Xiang JJ, Singhi EK, Jiang C, Chavez-MacGregor M, Shih YT. JAMA Oncol. 2025 Dec 1;11(12):1538-1540. 

Funda Meric-Bernstam, M.D. 
Chair, Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics
Professor, Department of Breast Surgical Oncology
Medical Director, Department of Khalifa Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy
Nellie B. Connally Chair in Breast Cancer, Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics

Dr. Funda Meric-Bernstam has a basic and translational research program that is focused on molecular therapeutics, to delineate the mechanism of action of each agent targeting this pathway and the molecular alterations useful to prospectively identify patients who will benefit most from each agent, and optimal combination therapies with targeted therapies and novel immune modulators. She is an active clinical trialist focused on Phase I trials, and rationale combinations, biomarker-driven therapy, and immune-oncology.

Relevant Publications:
Adavosertib Enhances Antitumor Activity of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in HER2-Expressing Cancers. Timothy P DiPeri, Kurt W Evans, Maria Gabriela Raso, Ming Zhao, Yasmeen Q Rizvi, Xiaofeng Zheng, Bailiang Wang, Bryce P Kirby, Kathleen Kong, Michael Kahle, Timothy A Yap, Ecaterina E Dumbrava, Jaffer A Ajani, Siqing Fu, Khandan Keyomarsi, Funda Meric-Bernstam. Clin Cancer Res. 2023 Nov 1;29(21):4385-4398. PMID: 37279095. PMCID: PMC10618648.

Co-clinical Trial of Novel Bispecific Anti-HER2 Antibody Zanidatamab in Patient-Derived Xenografts. Timothy P DiPeri, Kurt W Evans, Bailiang Wang, Ming Zhao, Argun Akcakanat, Maria Gabriela Raso, Yasmeen Q Rizvi, Xiaofeng Zheng, Anil Korkut, Kaushik Varadarajan, Burak Uzunparmak, Ecaterina E Dumbrava, Shubham Pant, Jaffer A Ajani, Paula R Pohlmann, V Behrana Jensen, Milind Javle, Jordi Rodon, Funda Meric-Bernstam. Cancer Discov. 2024 May 1;14(5):828-845. PMID:38358339. PMCID: PMC11064988.

Convergent MAPK pathwayalterations mediate acquired resistance to FGFR inhibitors in FGFR2 fusion-positive cholangiocarcinoma. Timothy P DiPeri, Ming Zhao, Kurt W Evans, Kaushik Varadarajan, Tyler Moss, Stephen Scott, Michael P Kahle, Charnel C Byrnes, Huiqin Chen, Sunyoung S Lee, Abdel-Baset Halim, Hiroshi Hirai, Volker Wacheck, Lawrence N Kwong, Jordi Rodon, Milind Javle, Funda Meric-Bernstam. J Hepatol. 2024 Feb;80(2):322-334. PMID: 37972659.

Anthony Lucci, M.D.
Professor, Department of Breast Surgical Oncology and Surgical Oncology

Dr. Anthony Lucci is a Marvin M Romsdahl MD PhD Endowed Professor and the Deputy Director of the Inflammatory Breast Cancer program. He has a research program focused on using a minimally invasive, liquid biopsy approach designed to detect cancer earlier, identify patients who are at high risk for disease relapse, monitor patient response throughout treatment, and identify novel targets for therapy. This includes a comprehensive analysis of multiple markers including circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, extracellular vesicles, and proteins. Much of Dr. Lucci's work has been in breast cancer and melanoma investigating the utility and role of circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor DNA as predictive and prognostic biomarkers. View the Lucci Lab webpage.

Relevant Publications:
Presence of molecular residual disease after pathologic complete response among patients with inflammatory breast cancer. Jennifer H. Chen, Salyna Meas, Vanessa N. Sarli, Negar Koupaei, Joshua Upshaw, Dhruvajyoti Roy, Vicente Valero, Wendy A. Woodward, and Anthony Lucci. JCO 42, 3044-3044(2024). DOI:10.1200/JCO.2024.42.16_suppl.3044. 

Monitoring response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple negative breast cancer using circulating tumor DNA. Chen, J.H., Addanki, S., Roy, D. BMC Cancer 24, 1016 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-024-12689-6. 

Low Rates of Local-Regional Recurrence Among Inflammatory Breast Cancer Patients After Contemporary Trimodal Therapy. Adesoye, T., Everidge, S., Chen, J. et al. Ann Surg Oncol 30, 6232–6240 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-023 13906-5. 

Matthew H.G. Katz, M.D.
Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology

Dr. Mathew H.G. Katz is Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgical Oncology. His clinical and research interests focus on the care of patients with pancreatic cancer. He has served as the national PI of two cooperative group studies of the effects of preoperative therapy on patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and has led multiple investigator-initiated trials within the institution.


 

Relevant Publications:
Patient-Reported Adverse Events During Neoadjuvant Therapy in a Phase 2 Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial (Alliance A021501). Snyder RA, Dueck AC, Fruth B, Shi Q, Hubbard JM, Herman JM, O'Reilly EM, Katz MHG. Annals of Surgery.. 2023 Jun; PMID: 37334719.

Communicating value: Use of a Novel Framework in the Assessment of an Enhanced Recovery Initiative. Allen CJ, Thaker NG, Prakash L, Kruse BC,
Feeley TW, Kaplan RS, Huey R, Frank SJ, Aloia TA, Gottumukkala V, Katz MHG. Ann Surg. 2021 Jan 01; 273(1):e7-e9. PMID: 32568750.

Michael Kim, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology
Associate Professor (Joint Faculty), Department of Genetics

Dr. Michael Kim joined the Department of Surgical Oncology to establish a research program in pancreatic cancer. He has interests in the management of cystic neoplasms of the pancreas and runs the Pancreatic Cyst Clinic at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Scott Kopetz, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Associate VP, Translational Research

Dr. Scott Kopetz is the contact PI for the institution’s Gastrointestinal SPORE and co-leader of the CCSG GI Program. He is the Medical Director of the MDACC TRACTION platform dedicated to rapid translational oncology research. He is also the Vice-Chair for Colorectal Cancer Research for the NRG Cooperative group. He is the principal investigator of several practice-changing clinical trials, including trials for patients with BRAF-mutated colorectal cancer that led to new standards of care. View the Kopetz Laboratory page here.

Lawrence Kwong, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology

The Kwong Laboratory is focused on generating novel therapies for cholangiocarcinoma, melanoma, and colorectal cancer by uniting human sample analyses with mouse models and bioinformatics to model targetable networks for combination therapy. Our laboratory is highly translational in nature with an emphasis on in vivo drug efficacy, with the goal of improving drug regimens for clinical use, with the ultimate goal of extending patient survival.




Relevant Publications:
Generation of An Endogenous FGFR2-BICC1 Gene Fusion/58 Megabase Inversion Using Single-Plasmid CRISPR/Cas9 Editing in Biliary Cells. Reicher A, Harris AL, Prinz F, Kiesslich T, Wei M, Öllinger R, Rad R, Pichler M, Kwong LN. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Apr 2;21(7):2460. doi: 10.3390/ijms21072460.

Jess Joshua Smith, M.D.
Chair and Professor, Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery

Dr. Smith  is dedicated to patient care, clinical trial leadership, and translational research. His team manages a high-volume rectal cancer practice (>300 patients annually) and has established two major clinical programs—the Young-Onset Colon and Rectal Cancer program and the Colorectal Peritoneal Metastasis program—creating platforms to address critical challenges in these growing patient populations.

He was a co-investigator on the OPRA trial evaluating watch-and-wait management following neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer. He currently serves as Chair of the national JANUS phase II/III rectal cancer trial (Alliance) studying chemotherapy intensification to improve complete response rates and survival. Dr. Smith also serves as Co-Chair of the Alliance GI Oncology portfolio and is the immediate past Co-Chair of the Alliance Surgery Group.

Dr. Smith leads an NIH-funded R37 laboratory that pioneered efficient generation of three-dimensional patient-derived rectal cancer tumoroids. His team has contributed key insights into molecular drivers of colorectal cancer, including the discovery of crosstalk between the Wnt pathway and SMAD4. This work has helped predict outcomes in stage II/III colorectal cancer and demonstrated that SMAD4 loss is associated with reduced immune infiltration, shorter recurrence-free survival, and in vitro resistance to fluorouracil—supporting SMAD4 as a prognostic marker.

A committed surgeon-scientist and mentor, Dr. Smith has trained 15 postdoctoral fellows, residents, and medical students over the past decade. He has served as T32 Program Faculty at Memorial Sloan Kettering since 2019, mentored six T32 trainees, and was the contact PI responsible for the successful renewal of the MSK Surgical Oncology T32 (2025–2030). His dedication to education has been recognized with the Weill Cornell Medicine General Surgery Teaching Award. 

Relevant Publications: 
Non-operative management of mismatch repair deficient tumors. Cercek A, and Smith JJ, Romesser P, Pappou EP, Paty P, Garcia-Aguilar J, Gonen M, Gollub M, Weiser MR, Schalper KA, and Diaz LA Jr. et al. N Engl J Med. 2022; 386(25):2363-2376. PMC9492301 (and updated experience in PMC12661660).

Genomic and transcriptomic determinants of response to neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer. Chatila W and Smith JJ, Schultz N, Sanchez-Vega F, Garcia-Aguilar J et al. Nat Med. 2022; 28(8):1646-1655. PMC9801308.

Organ preservation after neoadjuvant long-course chemoradiotherapy versus short-course radiotherapy. Bercz A and Smith JJ, Romesser PB et al. Ann Oncol. 2024; 35(11):1003-1014. PMC11513239.. 

Anil Sood, M.D.
Professor, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine
Vice Chair for Translational Research, Departments of Gynecologic Oncology and Cancer Biology
Co-Director, Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNA

Dr. Anil Snood’s research has focused on developing new therapies aimed at the tumor microenvironment, with a particular focus on understanding mechanisms of adaptive resistance to anti-angiogenesis drugs and developing novel therapies to enhance such therapy; several of these have been translated into clinical trials. He also focuses on understanding mechanisms of metastasis, especially in understanding how tropism for specific organ sites occurs. Other projects focus on understanding the mechanisms of RNA interference and developing new approaches for using non-coding RNAs for therapy using biocompatible delivery systems. View the Sood Laboratory page here.

Relevant Publications:
Overcoming adaptive resistance to anti-VEGF therapy by targeting CD5L. LaFargue CJ, Amero P, Noh K, Mangala LS, Wen Y, Bayraktar E, Umamaheswaran S, Stur E, Dasari SK, Ivan C, Pradeep S, Yoo W, Lu C, Jennings NB, Vathipadiekal V, Hu W, Chelariu-Raicu A, Ku Z, Hui D, Xiong W, Choi HJ, Hu M, Kiyama T, Mao CA, Ali-Fehmi R, Birrer MJ, Liu J, Zhang N, Lopez-Berestein G, de Franciscis V, An Z, Sood AK (2023). Nature Communications 14, 2407; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36910-5.

Exploiting metabolic vulnerabilities after anti-VEGF antibody therapy in ovarian cancer. Glassman D, Kim MS, Spradlin M, Badal S, Taki M, Bhattacharya P, Dutta P, Kingsley CV, Foster KI, Animasahun O, Jeon JH, Achreja A, Jayaraman A, Kumar P, Nenwani M, Wuchu F, Bayraktar E, Wu Y, Stur E, Mangala L, Lee S, Yap TA, Westin SN, Eberlin LS, Nagrath D, Sood AK (2023). iScience 26, 106020.

Hussein Tawbi, M.D., Ph.D. 
Professor and Deputy Chair, Melanoma Medical Oncology, Investigational Cancer Therapeutics

In addition to being a melanoma clinician, Dr. Hussein Tawbi develops and conducts multiple clinical trials with translational endpoints in melanoma, brain metastases, and immunotherapy. As Co-Director of the MD Anderson Brain Metastasis Clinic he provides the vision and direction of clinical translational research at the Andrew M. McDougall Brain Metastasis Research Program. The primary focus of his research has been early phase studies of novel agents in melanoma. He has designed and conducted many Phase l and Phase ll studies, and recently led the Phase III trial leading to the FDA approval of the anti-LAG3 antibody relatlimab in combination with nivolumab. He is also interested in the study of special populations including patients with organ dysfunction and patients with melanoma brain metastases.   

Kelia Torres, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology
Joint Appointment, Professor, Department of Genomic Medicine

Dr. Torres specializes in providing surgical care to patients with sarcoma. As a scientist, she also leads a laboratory with the primary goal of understanding how high-grade soft tissue sarcomas, such as Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNSTs), grow and how they can be treated more efficiently. Dr. Torres' clinical expertise is in soft tissue sarcomas and neurofibromatosis type 1. Dr. Torres is the Co-Director of the Sarcoma Alliance for Collaboration Accelerator Program. She also serves as a scientific reviewer for the Department of Defense. View the Torres Laboratory webpage here.

Robert J. Volk, Ph.D.
Hubert L. and Olive Stringer Distinguished Professor in Cancer Research
Professor and Director, Decision Support Lab
Deputy Chair, Department of Health Services Research

A decision scientist, Dr. Volk heads the Decision Support Lab in the Department of Health Services Research and the CPRIT-funded Decision Science Core at MD Anderson. His research focuses on shared decision-making in cancer care, a process wherein patients and their health care providers jointly make difficult clinical decisions when the optimal strategy is uncertain. His lab has extensive experience in the design, production, evaluation and dissemination/ implementation of patient decision support tools across the cancer care continuum. Visit the Decision Science Core webpage here.

Relevant Publications:
Multi-cancer Early Detection Tests, Primary Care, and Shared Decision Making. Selby K, Elwyn G, Volk RJ. Ann Intern Med. 2023 May; 176(5):718-720. PMID: 37037037 PMCID: PMC11834987.

The International Patient Decision Aid Standards (IPDAS) Collaboration: Evidence Update 2.0. Med Decis Making. Stacey D, Volk RJ. 2021 Oct; 41(7):729-733. PMID: 34416841. 

From guideline to practice: New shared decision-making tools for colorectal cancer screening from the American Cancer Society. Volk RJ, Leal VB, Jacobs LE, Wolf AMD, Brooks DD, Wender RC, Smith RA. CA Cancer J Clin. 2018 Jul; 68(4):246-249. PMID: 29846954 https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21459.

Jennifer Wargo, M.D.
Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology

Dr. Jennifer Wargo is a physician-scientist and Professor of Surgical Oncology and Genomic Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her research focuses on the mechanisms responsible for regulating response or resistance to cancer therapies, particularly immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Dr. Wargo is renowned for her discoveries linking the gut microbiome to therapeutic responses in melanoma patients and for demonstrating that molecularly targeted therapies can sensitize tumor cells to immunotherapy, paving the way for more effective combination treatments. View the Wargo Laboratory page here.

Relevant Publications:
Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Biomarker-Stratified Phase Ib Microbiome Modulation in Melanoma: Impact of Antibiotic Preconditioning on Microbiome and Immunity. Seo YD, Glitza IC, Spencer CN, Wortman JR, Burton EM, Alayli FA, Loo CP, Gautam S, Damania A, Densmore J, Fairchild J, Cabanski CR, Wong MC, Peterson CB, Weiner B, Hicks N, Aunins J, McChalicher C, Walsh E, Tetzlaff MT, Hamid O, Ott PA, Boland GM, Sullivan RJ, Grossmann KF, Ajami NJ, LaVallee T, Henn MR, Tawbi HA, Wargo JA. Cancer Discov. 2024 Jul 1;14(7):1161-1175. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-24-0066. PMID: 38588588; PMCID: PMC11215408.

Using gut microorganisms to treat cancer. Seo YD, Ajami N, Wargo JA. Nat Med. 2023 Aug;29(8):1910-1911. doi: 10.1038/s41591-023-02460-y. PMID: 37420098.

From bugs to drugs: Bacterial 3-IAA enhances efficacy of chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer. Seo YD, Wargo JA. Cell Rep Med. 2023 May 16;4(5):101039. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101039. PMID: 37196631; PMCID: PMC10213830.

Wendy Woodward, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, ad Department of Breast Radiation Oncology

Dr. Woodward is a physician scientist who runs an independently funded lab program focused on inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). She does clinical, translational, and basic science research and has mentored trainees and faculty at all levels. Her work has demonstrated the role of the microenvironment in the presentation of IBC, identified targets in mediating microenvironment mediation of radiation sensitivity and identified the role of cholesterol in progression of IBC. View the Woodward Laboratory page here. 

 

Relevant Presentations:
Impact of Race on Cytokine Profiles in Patients with Triple-Negative Inflammatory Breast Cancer: An Exploratory Analysis. Presented at: Society of Surgical Oncology 2024 Annual Meeting. Chen JH, Meas S, Koupaei N, Roy D, Tidwell R, Woodward W, Lucci A., Mar 20-23, 2024 at Atlanta, GA

Impact of Postpartum Diagnosis on Survival Outcomes in Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Presented at The American Society of Breast Surgeons 25th Annual Meeting, Apr 10-14, 2024, Orlando, FL Chen JH, Tidwell R, Kai M, Johnson H, Lucci A, Woodward W.

Presence of Molecular Residual Disease After Pathologic Complete Response Among Patients with Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Presented at: 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, May 31-Jun 4, 2024, Chicago, IL. Chen JH, Meas R, Sarli VN, Koupaei N, Upsahw J, Roy D, Valero V, Woodward WA, Lucci A. 

Associate Mentors 

Brian Badgwell, M.D.
Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology

Dr. Badgwell has a cancer-directed practice in gastric and gastroesophageal cancer at MD Anderson that incorporates recent progress in minimally invasive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy. He was the principal investigator for the first 3 completed clinical trials of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for metastatic gastric cancer in the United States and is currently the PI for recently completed trials of intraperitoneal paclitaxel and short course neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Dr. Badgwell has established a palliative surgery research program dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients with symptoms due to advanced cancer and, with funding through the American Cancer Society, has developed the first validated symptom assessment questionnaire for patients with malignant bowel obstruction.  

Relevant Publications:
Communication Frameworks for Palliative Surgical Consultations: A Randomized Study of Advanced Cancer Patients. Blumenthaler A, Robinson K, Hodge C, Xiao L, Lilley E, Griffin J, White M, Day R, Tanco K, Bruera E, Badgwell B.  Ann Surg. 2023 Feb 21, online ahead of print, PMID: 36806227.

Palliative and Supportive Care Consultation for Patients with Malignant Gastrointestinal Obstruction is Associated with Broad Interdisciplinary Management. Blumenthaler A, Bruera E, Badgwell B. Ann Surg. 2023 Feb 1; 277(2):284-290. PMID: 36745760.

Laparoscopic HIPEC for Low-Volume Peritoneal Metastasis in Gastric and Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma. Blumenthaler AN, Allen CJ, Ikoma N, Blum M, Das P, Minsky BD, Mansfield PF, Ajani JA, Badgwell BD. Ann Surg Oncol. 2020 Jul 31, Online ahead of print. PMID: 32737700.

Kristy Broman, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology
Associate Professor, Department of Health Services Research

Dr. Kristy Broman is cutaneous surgical oncologist. She conducts health services and outcomes research, emphasizing implementation strategies for delivery of high-quality care across the cancer care continuum. In the health services space, she studies variation in implementation of evidence-based care across hospital systems and networks, seeking to understand, amplify, and develop organizational strategies that promote consistent high-quality care. Her outcomes research addresses long-term and late effects of cancer treatment among cancer survivors.

Relevant Publications:
International center-level variation in utilization of nodal observation and adjuvant therapy for sentinel node positive melanoma at major referral centers. Broman K, Hughes T, Bredbeck B, Sun J,  Kirichenko D, Carr M, Sharma A, Bartlett E, Nijhuis A, Thompson J, Hieken T, Kottschade L, Downs J, Gyorki D, Stahlie E van Akkooi A, Ollila D, O’shea K, Song Y, Karakousis G, Moncrieff M, Nobes J, Vetto J, Han D, Hotz M, Farma J, Deneve J, Fleming M, Perez M, Baecher K, Lowe M, Olofsson Bagge R, Mattsson J, Lee A, Berman R, Chai H, Kroon H, Teras R, Teras J, Farrow N, Beasley G, Hui J, Been L, Kruijff S, Sinco B, Sarnaik A, Sondak V, Zager J, Dossett L Annals of Surgery. 2023 May 1;277(5):e1106-e1115. PMID 35129464. 

Incidence of and risk factors for cutaneous malignancies after blood or marrow transplantation. Broman K, Meng Q, Holmqvist A, Balas N, Richman J, Landier W, Hageman L, Ross E, Bosworth A, Hok Sreng T, Hollenquest B, Wong L, Bhatia R, Forman S, Armenian S, Weisdorf D, Bhatia S. JAMA Dermatology. 2024 Dec 18. PMID: 39693095. 

Emily Keung, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology

Dr. Keung specializes in the care of patients with soft tissue sarcoma. She leads a translational research group whose aim is to advance our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis and immuno-oncology of several common subtypes of soft tissue sarcomas (liposarcoma, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma) and improve treatments and outcomes for patients with these challenging malignancies. Her research is focused in two major areas: 1) elucidating the biology of sarcoma lymph node metastasis and 2) uncovering mechanisms of response and resistance to immunotherapy to identify novel therapeutic targets and treatment approaches for patients with soft tissue sarcoma.

Relevant Publications: 
Practice Pattern Variability in the Management of Regional Lymph Node Metastasis in Extremity and Trunk Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Survey of the Society of Surgical Oncology and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Membership. Witt RG, Voss RK, Chiang YJ, Nguyen S, Scally CP, Lin PP, Torres KE, Moon BS, Satcher RL, Hunt KK, Bird JE, Feig BW, Lewis VO, Roland CL, Keung EZ. Ann Surg Oncol. 2023 Jun;30(6):3668-3676. doi: 10.1245/s10434-023-13142-x. Epub 2023 Feb 1. PMID: 36723723

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and Formal Lymphadenectomy for Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Single Center Experience of 86 Consecutive Cases. Witt RG, Cope B, Erstad DJ, Chiang YJ, Nassif EF, Scally CP, Torres KE, Hunt KK, Feig BW, Roland CL, Keung EZ. Ann Surg Oncol. 2022 Oct;29(11):7092-7100. doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-11803-x. Epub 2022 Apr 30. PMID: 35501583

Efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of advanced melanoma in patients with concomitant chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cass SH, Tobin JWD, Seo YD, Gener-Ricos G, Keung EZ, Burton EM, Davies MA, McQuade JL, Lazar AJ, Mason R, Millward M, Sandhu S, Khoo C, Warburton L, Guerra V, Haydon A, Dearden H, Menzies AM, Carlino MS, Smith JL, Mollee P, Burgess M, Mapp S, Keane C, Atkinson V, Parikh SA, Markovic SN, Ding W, Call TG, Hampel PJ, Long GV, Wargo JA, Ferrajoli A. Ann Oncol. 2023 Sep;34(9):796-805. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2023.06.007. Epub 2023 Jul 4. PMID: 37414216

Jess Maxwell, M.D., M.B.A.
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology

Dr. Maxwell's research focuses on understanding treatment resistance and developing novel therapies for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET). Her translational work characterizes the tumor immune microenvironment to identify therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers, with recent publications demonstrating immune-based survival predictors in small bowel NETs. She has established one of the largest single-institution NET registries to investigate surgical outcomes, quality improvement initiatives, and therapeutic response patterns. Dr. Maxwell's research is supported by CPRIT and NANETS, and she collaborates with medical oncology, pathology, and genomic medicine to advance precision approaches in NET management.

Relevant Publications: 
Primary Tumor Size and Tumor-Vessel Interface Following Capecitabine and Temozolomide for Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors. Guo J, Lewis KA, Prakash L, Bhosale P, Morani A, Katz MHG, Tzeng CD, Ikoma N, Snyder R, Kim MP, Chandrasekharan C, Dasari A, Yao JC, Lee JE, Maxwell JE*L,*, Halperin DM*L,*. Current Oncology. 2025 Dec. 

Cancer Testis Antigen Expression Correlates With Immune Activation and Survival in Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Tumors. Ayabe RI, Seo YD, Melendez B, Fields BC, Diggs LP, Lazcano R, Singh BB, Wani K, Ingram D, Johnson S, Chelvanambi M, Hudgens C, Hernandez SD, Ajami NJ, Wargo JA, Lazar AJ, Knafl M, Woodman S, Halperin DM, Estrella JS, Maxwell JE*. JCO Precis Oncol. 2025 Jul; 9:e2500107. PMID: 40638874 PMCID: PMC12463141.

Timothy Newhook, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology

Dr. Tim Newhook’s clinical practice and academic focuses center on metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver, as well as primary liver tumors.  His research efforts have focused on clinical and oncologic outcomes for patients undergoing hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases and cholangiocarcinoma. In particular, Dr. Newhook is focused on characterizing the impact that circulating tumor DNA may have on prognostication, treatment selection, and sequencing for patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Dr. Newhook leads multiple prospective trials for patients undergoing hepatobiliary surgery for cancer as Principle Investigator of clinical trials focusing on biomarker-driven care for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, as well as perioperative quality improvement. Lastly, Dr. Newhook conducts multiple clinical and translational initiatives for patients with hepatobiliary malignancies, particularly liver metastases from colorectal cancer.  

Relevant Publications: 
Prospective Study of Perioperative Circulating Tumor DNA Dynamics in Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy for Colorectal Liver Metastases. Newhook TE, Overman MJ, Chun YS, Dasari A, Tzeng CD, Cao HST, Raymond V, Parseghian C, Johnson B, Nishioka Y, Kawaguchi Y, Uppal A, Vreeland TJ, Jaimovich A, Arvide EM, Cristo JV, Wei SH, Raghav KP, Morris VK, Lee JE, Kopetz S, Vauthey JN. Ann Surg. 2023 May 1;277(5):813-820. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000005461. Epub 2022 Jul 6. PMID: 35797554. 

Effect of Co-mutation of RAS and TP53 on Postoperative ctDNA Detection and Early Recurrence after Hepatectomy for Colorectal Liver Metastases. Nishioka Y, Chun YS, Overman MJ, Cao HST, Tzeng CD, Mason MC, Kopetz SW, Bauer TW, Vauthey JN, Newhook TE; MD Anderson Cancer Center INTERCEPT Program. J Am Coll Surg. 2022 Apr 1;234(4):474-483. doi: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000000093. PMID: 35290266

Repeat Versus Single Quadratus Lumborum Block to Reduce Opioids After Open Pancreatectomy (RESQU-BLOCK): A Randomized Clinical Trial. Fields BC, Soliz JM, Speer BB, Hancher-Hodges S, Popat KU, Ghebremichael SJ, Van Meter A, Williams UU, Wang X, Hwang H, Bruno ML, Dewhurst WL, Arvide EM, Ikoma N, Maxwell JE, Kim MP, Katz MHG, Tzeng CD, Newhook TE. Ann Surg. 2026 Feb 1;283(2):212-218. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006767. Epub 2025 May 27. PMID: 40421798 

Rebecca Snyder, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology
Joint Appointment, Associate Professor, Department of Health Services Research

Dr. Rebecca Snyder’s clinical practice is focused on caring for patients with pancreatic cancer, and her research efforts concentrate on patient-centered care, as well as cancer care delivery, specifically disparities related to race and social determinants of health. Dr. Snyder is actively involved in pancreatic cancer clinical trials as a member of the NCI Pancreas Taskforce and the National Clinical Trials Network Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology cooperative group, serving as Vice Chair of the Surgery Committee. She is an experienced writer and has published original scientific studies and narrative medicine essays in high-impact journals including JAMA, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and JNCI. She currently serves on the Editorial Board of JCO, JCO Oncology Practice, and Annals of Surgical Oncology. Dr. Snyder has holds several national leadership positions, including Vice Chair of the Society for Surgical Oncology Hepatopancreatobiliary Working Group.

Relevant Publications: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/OP-25-00351 

Ching-Wei Tzeng, M.D.
Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology
Chief of Hepatobiliary Surgery and HPB Fellowship Program Director

Dr. Ching-Wei D. Tzeng is an educator dedicated to the training of fellows, residents, and students, and serves as Vice Chair of the MD Anderson GME council. He has been recognized with the University of Texas Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award in 2021, and Department of Surgical Oncology Graduating Fellows’ Teaching Award in 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2025. In 2024, he was given the highest MD Anderson GME recognition with the Emil Freireich Excellence in Education Award. His research focuses on perioperative quality improvement, clinical trials for advanced hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers, and patient-centered opioid reduction protocols, for which he was named a 2021 Andrew Sabin Family Foundation Fellow.

Relevant Publications:
Repeat Versus Single Quadratus Lumborum Block to Reduce Opioids After Open Pancreatectomy (RESQU-BLOCK): A Randomized Clinical Trial. Brittany C Fields, Jose M Soliz, Barbra Bryce Speer, Shannon Hancher-Hodges, Keyuri U Popat, Semhar J Ghebremichael, Antoinette Van Meter, Uduak U Williams, Xuemei Wang, Hyunsoo Hwang, Morgan L Bruno, Whitney L Dewhurst, Elsa M Arvide, Naruhiko Ikoma, Jessica E Maxwell, Michael P Kim, Matthew H G Katz, Ching-Wei D Tzeng, Timothy E Newhook. Ann Surg. 2026 Feb 1;283(2):212-218. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006767. Epub 2025 May 27.. 

Opioid-Free Discharge After Pancreatic Resection Through a Learning Health System Paradigm. Artem Boyev, Anish J Jain, Timothy E Newhook, Laura R Prakash, Yi-Ju Chiang, Morgan L Bruno, Elsa M Arvide, Whitney L Dewhurst, Michael P Kim, Jessica E Maxwell, Naruhiko Ikoma, Rebecca A Snyder, Jeffrey E Lee, Matthew H G Katz, Ching-Wei D Tzeng. JAMA Surg. 2023 Nov 1;158(11):e234154. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2023.4154. Epub 2023 Nov 8.

Impact of Nonhepatectomy Opioid Reduction Efforts on Posthepatectomy Opioid Prescription: Analysis of 2,005 Patients. Brittany C Fields, Timothy E Newhook, Laura R Prakash, Elsa M Arvide, Zhouxuan Li, Hop S Tran Cao, Jessica E Maxwell, Nancy D Perrier, Matthew Hg Katz, Jean-Nicolas Vauthey, Ching-Wei D Tzeng. J Am Coll Surg. 2025 Apr 1;240(4):474-487. doi: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000001279. Epub 2025 Mar 17.