The Research Evangelist – Details, episodes & analysis

On today's episode, meet Dr. Elaine Shum. Dr. Shum is a thoracic medical oncologist at the Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU in New York City, and an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She did her fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center in hematology and oncology and her residency at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center. She received her medical degree from SUNY Stony Brook.

On today's episode, meet Dr. Martin F. Dietrich, medical oncologist at Cancer Care Centers of Brevard. In his clinical practice, he addresses all aspects of hematologic and oncologic care, with a special research interest in the treatment of lung and breast cancer, and genetic evaluation and counseling of somatic and hereditary syndromes. He also holds a faculty appointment at the University of Central Florida in Orlando as an assistant professor of internal medicine.

He also holds doctorates in cancer biology from the German Cancer Research Center and in molecular genetics from the University of Texas Southwestern Graduate School. He completed his fellowships in Hematology/Oncology in the physician-scientist training track at the University of Texas Southwestern Track as a T32 scholar of the National Cancer Institute. As a fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) and a Board-certified internist, Dr. Dietrich believes in a comprehensive approach to his patients’ medical care.

On today's episode, meet Dr. Dara Aisner, MD, PhD. Dr. Aisner is Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Director of the Colorado Molecular Correlates Laboratory. After her undergraduate work at Vanderbilt, Dr. Aisner completed her MD/PHD combined degree program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. She pursued training in Anatomic Pathology at the National Institutes of Health, and went on to two fellowships in Surgical Pathology and Molecular Genetic Pathology at the University of Pennsylvania.

On today's episode, meet Dr. Amy Cummings. Dr. Cummings is a thoracic oncologist and research scientist who practices in Santa Monica and Torrance California. In Santa Monica, she sees lung cancer patients, runs clinical trials, and is part of the virtual multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Program. Her clinical interests include immunotherapy, precision medicine, and providing equitable care to all patients regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. At the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center she also serves as the Director for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI).
Dr. Cummings received her medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California and completed both her internal medicine residency and her hematology and oncology fellowship at UCLA.

On today's episode, meet Dr. Misty Shields. Dr. Shields is a translational thoracic oncologist and assistant professor at Indiana University. As a translational physician scientist, in collaboration with basic scientists and clinicians, she seeks to help shape prospective efforts and guide funding to areas of unmet clinical need, such as small cell lung cancer. Dr. Shields earned her medical degree at the University of Texas Health, Houston McGovern medical school. She then completed a residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and fellowships at the University of South Florida Moffitt Cancer Center and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

On today's episode, meet Dr. Tanyanika Phillips. Dr. Phillips is a medical oncologist and Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research at City of Hope in Antelope Valley and Lancaster California. Dr. Phillips received her medical degree from University of Rochester, followed by Residency at Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans and a geriatric fellowship and a Master in Public Health from Vanderbilt University. She continued her training with a medical oncology fellowship at Johns Hopkins University. Originally headed toward a career in research and public health policy, Dr. Phillips pivoted to focus on patient care, where her prodigious gifts of empathy and compassion came to the surface.

Mellisa Wheeler has over 20 years of experience in health care with a specialized focus in oncology. Mellisa is the Director of the Disparities & Outreach program at Levine Cancer Institute, a department dedicated to eradicating the burden of cancer in underserved communities through prevention education, screening and early detection. She has designed and launched several community outreach initiatives, including authoring a grant proposal that resulted in $1.6 million funding for the nation’s first mobile lung cancer screening bus as part of the Lung B.A.S.E.S. 4 Life program. Mellisa received her undergrad degree from University of South Florida and her Masters in Health Administration from Ohio University.

On today's episode, meet Chyke Doubeni, MD, MPH. Dr. Doubeni is Chief Health Equity Officer at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Dr. Doubeni also serves as Associate Director for Diversity Equity and Inclusion in The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is tasked with leading Ohio State’s continued efforts to address the underlying drivers of disparities in health care that adversely impact marginalized groups and foster more equitable care and health outcomes. Dr. Doubeni is nationally recognized for his work in cancer prevention and public health. Dr. Doubeni received his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Lagos College of Medicine in Nigeria. After completing additional training in the United Kingdom, he completed a family medicine residency at Duke University and a preventive medicine residency at the University of Massachusetts, where he also earned a Master of Public Health degree.

On today's episode, meet Mahesh Karande. Mahesh is President and CEO of Omega Therapeutics, a clinical stage biotechnology company in Cambridge, Mass. Mahesh is deeply experienced in running biopharma businesses across discovery, preclinical and clinical development, and commercialization.  Earlier, Mr. Karande spent several years at Novartis in senior leadership roles: VP and Head of US Oncology for solid tumors, President of Novartis Africa and President of Novartis Egypt. Mr. Karande has an M.B.A. from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, an M.S. in engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, and undergrad degree in engineering from the University of Bombay. Leading a company with an overarching ethos to be ambitious, yet humble.

On today's episode, meet Dr. Sumita Bhatta. Sumita Bhatta, M.D., is a board-certified oncologist and the Vice President, Global Medical Affairs Head of Oncology at Amgen. She has over 9 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and has held multiple roles in research and development. Sumita received her undergraduate degree from UCLA and received both a M.A. in Applied Physiology as well as a M.D. from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago, IL. She completed her internal medicine residency, hematology/oncology fellowship, and a clinical pharmacology/pharmacogenomics fellowship at the University of Chicago. She is dual boarded in medical oncology and clinical pharmacology.