NCI Research Specialist (Clinician Scientist) Award

Project Abstract I am a Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist at the Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Pediatric Cancer Program (DLDCCC PCP), with dual board certifications in Pediatric Hematology- Oncology and Clinical Pharmacology. I have clinical and research expertise in developmental therapeutics, neuroblastoma, and other pediatric solid tumors. I am committed to a career as a clinician-scientist, serving as a national leader in the development of national clinical trials and the implementation of NCI clinical trials at my institution and contributing to NCI clinical trial networks through participation in both scientific review and monitoring committees. My clinical and research interests are focused on ushering novel therapies into early-phase clinical trials for patients with neuroblastoma and other pediatric solid tumors and mitigating toxicities associated with therapy. Within the PCP, I am the Clinical Director of the Neuroblastoma Program, Director of the Solid Tumor Program, and the Assistant Director of the Developmental Therapeutics (DVL) Program. In these roles, I lead and implement therapeutic clinical trials for pediatric patients with solid tumors and early-phase clinical trials for pediatric cancer patients with relapsed or refractory disease. In addition, I contribute to the national leadership of the NCI-funded Children’s Oncology Group (COG) and Pediatric Early Phase Clinical Trial Network (PEP-CTN) as a member of three steering committees (Cancer Control, Neuroblastoma Biology, and Neuroblastoma); a committee member for two clinical trials treating patients with high-risk neuroblastoma; Study Chair for an ongoing phase 1 trial; a member of the PEP-CTN Performance Monitoring Committee; and site PI for the PEP-CTN at my institution. Additionally, I mentor young investigators both at my institution and through the national COG mentoring program. I attend and present annually at the COGs Fall and Spring meetings. Greater than 50% of my effort is dedicated to PI responsibilities, patient consent and enrollment activities, and administrative responsibilities directly related to my COG and PEP-CTN activities.