Team

Rajan Gogna

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

MS, PhD, MBA

  • Dr. Rajan Gogna, an eminent cancer biologist and assistant professor, currently stands at the helm of Fitness Fingerprint Therapeutics as its Founder and CEO. His remarkable journey in the field of cancer biology is highlighted by his association with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine, where he significantly contributes as an assistant professor.

    Dr. Gogna's academic credentials are noteworthy, featuring a Ph.D., MS, and MBA, demonstrating his wide-ranging expertise in both the scientific and managerial aspects of biotechnology and cancer research. His prominent role as the Lab Head of the Cell Competition and Fitness Laboratory and Co-Director of the Tumor Microenvironment Program at VIMM underscores his dedication to cancer research.

    In 2019, Dr. Gogna's groundbreaking work, which proposed innovative methods to make tumors more susceptible to chemotherapy, was published in the prestigious journal "Nature". This research identified a new mechanism for cancer cell growth, specifically focusing on how cancer cells can influence the cells around them. Dr. Gogna's research has been integral in understanding the "fitness fingerprints" of human cells and their role in competitive growth in cancer. His studies delve into the molecular mechanisms that allow human cells to assess and compare fitness, which is crucial for understanding cancer progression and developing therapeutic strategies.

    Dr. Gogna’s approach to research is characterized by using cutting-edge technologies to explore the clinical and therapeutic potential of cell competition and fitness pathways in human diseases. His vision for Fitness Fingerprint Therapeutics revolves around leveraging these insights to develop more personalized and effective cancer treatments.

David Sidransky

Chief Scientific Officer

MD

  • Dr. David Sidransky is a distinguished figure in the field of oncology, particularly recognized for his significant contributions to cancer research and early detection. He currently serves as the Director of the Head and Neck Cancer Research Division at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and is a Professor in multiple disciplines including Oncology, Otolaryngology, Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Urology, Genetics, and Pathology.

    His research work is primarily concentrated on genetic and epigenetic changes associated with smoking-related tumors, including lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and bladder cancer. Dr. Sidransky's studies have led to key insights into the mechanisms of cancer development and progression, helping to advance the field's understanding of tumor biology.

    In addition to his research and academic roles, Dr. Sidransky has an extensive background in the biotechnology industry. He is a founder of several biotechnology companies, including Champions Oncology, and has served in significant leadership positions, such as Vice Chairman of ImClone Systems Inc., until its acquisition by Eli Lilly. His expertise extends beyond scientific research to encompass business operations, corporate governance, and investment strategies. He is also a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of the Israel Biotech Fund, demonstrating his commitment to advancing biotechnological innovation.

    Throughout his career, Dr. Sidransky has been recognized for his achievements and contributions. He was profiled by TIME magazine as one of the top physicians and scientists in America. His work has led to the development of numerous diagnostics, and he has been involved in therapeutic drug development using patient-derived models (PDX).

    As the Chief Scientific Officer at Fitness Fingerprint Therapeutics, Dr. Sidransky's extensive experience in oncology and precision medicine, combined with his business acumen, positions him uniquely to lead the company's scientific endeavors and drive innovation in cancer therapeutics. His role will likely involve guiding the company's research strategy, overseeing the development of new cancer therapies, and contributing to the overall scientific vision of the organization.

Jochen Wilhelm

Chief of Biostatistics

PhD

  • Dr. Jochen Wilhelm, a distinguished senior scientist and biostatistician, serves as the Chief of Biostatistics at Fitness Fingerprint Therapeutics. Dr. Wilhelm brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his extensive career in genomics, bioinformatics, and lung health research.

    Born in Giessen, Germany, Dr. Wilhelm pursued his academic journey at Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU), where he earned a Diploma in Biology and practical informatics. Demonstrating an early dedication to the intersection of biology and data analysis, he furthered his education with a PhD in Biochemistry from the faculty of biology at JLU. His doctoral research, supported by a scholarship from the graduate college “Molecular biology and pharmacology,” laid the foundation for his future contributions to the field.

    Post-PhD, Dr. Wilhelm’s career trajectory saw him establishing a laboratory for microarray analyses and becoming a principal investigator in biostatistics and microarray analytics at the Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Bad Nauheim. His expertise in biostatistics has been instrumental in shaping his teaching career, where he has been a lecturer for biostatistics and bioinformatics in the PhD program Molecular Biology and Medicine of the Lung (MBML) at the University of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC).

    As a faculty member at the German Center for Lung Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung, DZL) and the chief statistician of the European IPF Registry and Biobank (eurIPFreg), Dr. Wilhelm has played a pivotal role in advancing lung health research. His leadership in the UGMLC microarray core facility and his position as a principal investigator for systems biology of the lung at the DZL further highlight his capabilities in managing large-scale research projects.

    Dr. Wilhelm's impressive publication record, with over 114 research papers in prestigious journals like Nature Metabolism and the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, attests to his significant contributions to the scientific community. His work in virus genomics, host transcriptomics, and pathogen-host interactions in lung injury has been instrumental in the field of lung health research.

    At Fitness Fingerprint Therapeutics, Dr. Wilhelm’s role as Chief of Biostatistics involves leveraging his deep expertise in genomics, bioinformatics, and biostatistics to drive innovative research and development in anti-cancer therapeutics. His leadership is integral to the company's mission of developing personalized treatment strategies based on sophisticated data analysis and genomic insights.

Mark S. Cohen

Director of Legal Affairs

JD, MSc

  • Mark S. Cohen, with his extensive legal expertise and a strong foundation in the sciences, is the ideal leader for the Legal Department at Fitness Fingerprint Therapeutics. His journey in law began with a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1993, complemented by a solid scientific background with a Master of Science in Biology from New York University in 1990, and a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from Rutgers University in 1989.

    Mark's legal acumen has been sharpened at Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer Baratz, a firm known for its prowess in intellectual property law. His specialization in patent law, particularly within the pharmaceutical, chemical, and biotechnological sectors, makes him an invaluable asset in navigating the complex landscape of intellectual property and legal strategy in the biotech industry.

    In his role, Mark exhibits core competencies in strategic IP leadership, skillfully spearheading patent prosecution and intellectual property management. His vision as a legal expert in the life sciences sector is evident in his proficiency in licensing, technology assessments, and handling commercial legal matters. Moreover, Mark's advisory expertise is well-regarded, providing invaluable counsel to both burgeoning start-ups and established multinational corporations.

    Professionally, Mark is licensed with the New York State Bar, Israel Bar Association, and the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. His diverse experience, including significant roles on various esteemed boards and scholarly contributions, equips him perfectly to lead the Legal Department. Under his guidance, Fitness Fingerprint Therapeutics is assured of comprehensive legal support, fostering innovation-driven strategies and safeguarding the company’s intellectual assets.

    Mark S. Cohen embodies the intersection of legal expertise and scientific knowledge, making him an exemplary Director of the Legal Department for a forward-looking company like Fitness Fingerprint Therapeutics.

  • Dr. Jochen Wilhelm, a distinguished senior scientist and biostatistician, serves as the Chief of Biostatistics at Fitness Fingerprint Therapeutics. Dr. Wilhelm brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his extensive career in genomics, bioinformatics, and lung health research.

    Born in Giessen, Germany, Dr. Wilhelm pursued his academic journey at Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU), where he earned a Diploma in Biology and practical informatics. Demonstrating an early dedication to the intersection of biology and data analysis, he furthered his education with a PhD in Biochemistry from the faculty of biology at JLU. His doctoral research, supported by a scholarship from the graduate college “Molecular biology and pharmacology,” laid the foundation for his future contributions to the field.

    Post-PhD, Dr. Wilhelm’s career trajectory saw him establishing a laboratory for microarray analyses and becoming a principal investigator in biostatistics and microarray analytics at the Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Bad Nauheim. His expertise in biostatistics has been instrumental in shaping his teaching career, where he has been a lecturer for biostatistics and bioinformatics in the PhD program Molecular Biology and Medicine of the Lung (MBML) at the University of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC).

    As a faculty member at the German Center for Lung Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung, DZL) and the chief statistician of the European IPF Registry and Biobank (eurIPFreg), Dr. Wilhelm has played a pivotal role in advancing lung health research. His leadership in the UGMLC microarray core facility and his position as a principal investigator for systems biology of the lung at the DZL further highlight his capabilities in managing large-scale research projects.

    Dr. Wilhelm's impressive publication record, with over 114 research papers in prestigious journals like Nature Metabolism and the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, attests to his significant contributions to the scientific community. His work in virus genomics, host transcriptomics, and pathogen-host interactions in lung injury has been instrumental in the field of lung health research.

    At Fitness Fingerprint Therapeutics, Dr. Wilhelm’s role as Chief of Biostatistics involves leveraging his deep expertise in genomics, bioinformatics, and biostatistics to drive innovative research and development in anti-cancer therapeutics. His leadership is integral to the company's mission of developing personalized treatment strategies based on sophisticated data analysis and genomic insights.

Name

Alexandar Tzankov

  • Prof Alexandar Tzankov is a surgical pathologist and Head of the Department of Histopathology and Autopsy at the Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology at University Hospital Basel. He is a member of numerous national and international scientific societies, such as the European Association for Haematopathology, the European Bone Marrow Working Group (of which he is also President Elect) and the International Council for Standardization in Haematology. He is also an editorial board member of Pathobiology and an official expert in the field of pathology for the Swiss Accreditation Authority. His major interests and diagnostic expertise lie within haematopathology and mediastinal pathology. Alongside intensive tissue-based research activity on the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and the human body in COVID-19, his research group is currently involved in translational investigations and precision medicine of lymphomas, particularly clonal relationships, the molecular evolution of relapsing lymphomas and deciphering the genetic landscape of marginal zone lymphomas. He has authored or co-authored >370 papers (orcid.org/0000-0002-1100-3819). In the framework of the FTC project (link below), Prof Tzankov leads the execution of autopsies, tissue collection, study design, histopathological examination, immunohistochemical examination, in situ hybridization examination, interpretation of gene expression data and basic statistics.

Amit Kumar

  • My academic training and research experience have provided me with an excellent background in multiple biological disciplines including molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology, and microscopy. In my early career I studied host-pathogen interactions and molecular pathogenesis, intracellular signaling, and cytotoxicity. In my work, during graduate and as a postdoctoral fellow, I have applied traditional and innovative cell biology, transcriptomic and flow cytometric approaches to study KSHV reactivation and EBV mechanisms of genomic instability in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and got expertise in live cell imaging and genomic instability. The postdoctoral research at JHMI provided me with new conceptual and technical training in stem cell biology and genome editing. I had been conducting research to develop a hiPSC- derived HSPC-based therapy as a curative alternative to the expensive non-curative GCase enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) to treat Gaucher's Disease (GD). Parallelly at Johns Hopkins I explored and understand the complexities of cancer immunotherapy and cell-cell interactions, I used immunotoxin (DAB-IL2) directed to deplete Tregs from the tumor microenvironment in different established preclinical tumor models and found that Tregs depletion from tumor microenvironment resulted in the antitumor effect and enhanced immune functions. Currently I am working as a postdoctoral fellow at VCU to define the molecular basis of cancer development and progression to metastasis.  In the future, I am planning to continue research on the interactions between cells and the cellular microenvironments in various diseases in order to identify possible biomarkers and therapeutic targets that will enhance patient health.

Andrew Godwin

  • Dr. Godwin is a leader in the field of translational research and precision medicine, and his laboratories at KUMC continue to focus on various aspects of both basic and translational research. He is a NCI funded investigator (continuously since 1993) and a highly published (>380 manuscripts and scholarly review articles) and cited (>33,500; h-index of 97) scientist. Dr. Godwin is internationally recognized for his molecular biology/genetic studies of cancers including, sarcoma, breast and ovarian, and his efforts to help bridge the gap between basic and clinical science in order to improve patient care. Through the CMOL and BDL, Godwin's group continues to support the development and advancement of rationally designed therapeutic strategies to improve the options for patient treated at the KU Cancer Center.

Antonio Lopez-Beltran

  • Antonio Lopez-Beltran is currently Director of the Anatomic Pathology Service for Champalimaud Clinical Center in Lisbon, Portugal. Prior to this role, he was Director of Anatomic Pathology for Althia Health in Barcelona and Full Professor of Anatomic Pathology at the University of Cordoba. Before this, he spent 27 years at the University of Cordoba, Spain where he created and was Director of the Uro-Oncology Research Lab. During this time, Professor Lopez- Beltran designed and implemented novel molecular techniques to evaluate prognostic features of bladder and prostate cancer and, over the years, the team discovered and/or validated some biomarkers of clinical utility, mostly tissue and urine related. Studies from the Uro-Oncology Research Lab enabled Professor Lopez-Beltran to be a ‘Highly Cited Author’ by the Institute of Scientific Information with an h-index of 61.

    Professor Lopez-Beltran received his medical degree at the University of Seville, Spain, in 1979, then completed the residency programme in Anatomic Pathology until 1982 and received a PhD in Experimental Pathology at the University of Cordoba in 1984. He was also visiting physician pathologist at the pathology service of the University College (London, UK, 1986; 6 months), Roswell Park Cancer Institute (Buffalo, NY, 1987–1989) and Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN, 1995; 6 months). He is a member of several international pathological organisations and the current Chair of the European Working Group on Urologic Pathology of the European Society of Pathology.

Antonio Palma

  • My research focus has been in the field of cancer biology with a particular interest in transcriptional mechanisms, cell signaling, and cell competition. My prior training includes a Bachelor's in Medical Laboratory Sciences (2015), a Master's in Oncobiology (2019), and a PhD in Biotechnology and Biosciences (2023). Since 2016, my main goal is to study cancer biology from a translational perspective, which aims to bring basic science research findings from the bench to clinics. This can be achieved by using human patient samples to describe cancer models, which can later be used to discover new early detection and prognosis biomarkers and to find new therapeutic targets that will improve cancer treatment. In 2019, I joined Dr Madan and Dr Gogna's team and collaborated on the publications at multiple high-impact journals such as Nature, PNAS, NAR, Cancer Research, EMBO Mol Med, and EMBO Journal. Among them, I highlight the discovery of fitness fingerprints and cell competition mechanisms in the promotion of tumor growth, published in Nature (2019), which regulatory mechanisms were further elucidated during my PhD training. My scientific contributions are not limited to cancer biology. Together with Dr Madan, I published a study that discovered Flower Lose as a prognostic marker for COVID-19 outcomes. Additionally, I have a publication on embryonic development that applies artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to describe how cell-cell interactions affect the transcriptome in a cell-type-specific manner. In the future, I intend to continue studying cell competition and cellular microenvironments in different diseases, thus finding potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets that will improve patients' health and secure continuous publications in high-impact journals.

Anurag Mehta

  • Dr. Anurag Mehta’s fight against cardiovascular disease begins with prevention. Early detection of potential risks for heart problems and coming up with an effective strategy to treat them are essential elements in stopping issues before they start.

    As director of preventive cardiology at VCU Health’s Pauley Heart Center, Dr. Mehta takes an in-depth look at each patient’s medical history to identify risk factors and spot signs of heart disease. “And once we identify risk, we can develop a patient-centered treatment tailored to each person,” he says.

    With that knowledge, he develops a proactive approach to managing high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Dr. Mehta also treats coronary artery disease, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, and arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat).

    His goal at VCU Health is to promote and preserve heart health among his patients and around the community. “I want my patients to know that they are at the heart of everything we do here,” Dr. Mehta says.

    Since the field of cardiovascular medicine is constantly changing, he knows that providing the best heart care to patients involves staying current about the latest research and therapies. He’s been at the forefront of research in his field, publishing over 70 articles in peer-reviewed journals about preventive heart care on topics such as lipids, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular risk assessment. He also earned a young investigator award and postdoctoral research funding from the American Heart Association.

Arun Sanyal

  • Arun J. Sanyal, MD, was recently appointed as Interim-Chair of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at VCU/VCUHealth. Dr. Sanyal is a Professor of Medicine, Physiology and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Sanyal also serves as Chair of the NIH NASH Clinical Research Network, the NIMBLE consortium and the Liver Forum for NASH and fibrosis. His research interests include all aspects of NAFLD and NASH as well as complications of cirrhosis and end stage liver disease. He has been continuously funded by the NIH since 1995 and has over 350 peer reviewed publications with a H-index of 116. He was recently ranked in top 0.01% of medical scientists based on their impact on the field (PlosBio 2019). He has served in several leadership roles nationally and globally including Chair of the Hepatobiliary Pathophysiology Study Section of the NIH, Secretary and then President of the American Association for Study of Liver Disease, founding member of the American Board of Internal Medicine Transplant Hepatology board examination and member of WHO advisory council on viral hepatitis. He is the co-founder and academic chair of the Liver Forum which is a platform to bring regulatory agencies (FDA and EMA) with industry and academics to accelerate drug development for NASH and advanced liver disease. He is currently engaged in numerous clinical trials and leads several phase 2B and 3 trials for NASH as well as complications of end stage liver disease. His contributions have been recognized by receiving the Distinguished Mentorship Award from the American Gastroenterological Association and the Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award from the American Liver Foundation in 2017 and the Distinguished Achievement Award from the AASLD in 2018.

Carlo Croce

  • I am the John W. Wolfe Chair in Human Cancer Genetics and a member of the Cancer Biology Program at the OSUCCC – James, where I study the molecular changes in genes that lead to cancer. I am particularly interested in the early changes of malignancy and how they might serve as targets for new treatment and preventive agents.

    I have also discovered a number of cancer-related genes throughout my research, including BCL2, ALL1, TCL1, FHIT and LZTS1.

Esha Madan

  • Dr. Madan has expertise and research experience in the field of transcriptional biology, cell signaling and molecular oncology. At a young age, Dr. Madan made seminal discoveries in area of cancer disease regulation, cell competition and identification of genetic-networks that regulate tumor-stroma interactions and can potentially impact clinical and translational outcomes. Dr. Madan has conducted research activities across Europe, USA, and Asia, with a track record of high impact publications in journals including Nature, Trends in Cancer, Nucleic acid Research, PNAS, Cancer Research, EMBO, JBC, and MCB. Importantly, she has established a strong network of collaborations with leaders in the field, to enable utilize the state-of-art technologies, for supporting her research. Dr. Madan’s objectives are directed towards a ground-breaking research area of identifying transcriptional signals and axis in combination with epigenetics, discovery of biomarkers, and effective therapeutic intervention for the benefit of cancer patients.

    During the early years of the PhD tenure (2008), Dr. Madan made important discoveries and findings in identifying the mechanisms that regulate p53-dependent apoptosis and metabolism in cancer. She published 12 first author papers during her PhD term in high impact journals and trained herself in a variety of molecular biology, biochemistry, cell culture and tumor xenografting techniques. Her collaboration with OSU during PhD gave her an opportunity to work at the interface of cancer and cardiac disease models including studying the novel role of oxygen-p53 survival pathway in cardio-protection. Dr. Madan's post-doctoral program in Switzerland (2013), trained her in molecular biology, genomics, transcriptomics, and the basics of tumor host microenvironment interactions based on 'Flower' fitness fingerprint mark in cell competition pathway, which recently got published in Nature Journal in 2019. Her research efforts were responsible for the first ever discovery of human fitness fingerprint molecules in the form of Flower Win and Lose protein.

    As an independent Visiting Faculty in Portugal, Dr. Madan’s interests have been engaged in identifying the key mechanisms that regulate the competition-based interactions between the tumor and the microenvironment. She recently joined as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, VCU, where her team is uniquely poised for advancing the basic science research to clinics by effective usage of cancer disease models and human patient samples, instrumental in promoting immediate translational impact of the research findings.

Gaurav Bilolikar

  • He is a passionate and inquisitive student of biological sciences with a dual masters in Biological Engineering (IIT Madras) and Biology (ASU). Over the past six years, I have been involved in academic research in synthetic biology, metagenomics, functional genomics, evolutionary biology, and molecular biology. He is currently working as an RA in Dr. Gogna's lab.

Gaurav Gupta

  • Dr. Gaurav Gupta currently serves as the Chair for the Division of Nephrology. He also serves as the Medical Director of the kidney transplant program at VCUHS. Dr. Gupta has previously served as the Program Director of the Transplant Nephrology Fellowship program. He continues to mentor several junior faculty, fellows, residents and students in this capacity. He also serves on the National American Society of Transplantation (AST) Transplant Nephrology Fellowship Accreditation Committee. Dr. Gupta is the Chair of the AST Kidney/Pancreas Committee's Education workgroup. He has also served on various national committees including those for the United Network of Organ Sharing. His current research efforts are focused on enhancing access to kidney transplantation by the safe utilization of high-infectious risk donor kidneys (HCV+ and COVID donors). Other areas of focus include molecular diagnostics in kidney transplantation, expansion of the donor pool and reduction of kidney discard as well as many other multi-center studies sponsored by the NIH and/or Industry. In addition to being on journal editorial boards, Dr. Gupta is also an ad-hoc reviewer for most premier journals including JAMA and the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Jagadeesh Bayry

  • Prof. Jagadeesh Bayry is a graduate of Veterinary Medicine from Bengaluru (1996) with a specialization of Virology and Immunology from Indian Veterinary Research Institute (1999). He received PhD in Immunology from Sorbonne University, Paris in 2003 and following post-doctoral research at University of Oxford, he joined Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM, The National Institute of Health and Medical Research), Paris, France in 2006 as a faculty. In 2018, he became Director of Research at INSERM. In 2021, he joined IIT Palakkad as a Professor of Biological Sciences and Engineering. Currently he is a Dean (Student Affairs) and Head of the Department of Biological Sciences & Engineering. His research is aimed at fundamental Immunology, autoimmunity, inflammation, immunotherapy and host-pathogen interaction. Prof. Bayry has obtained 36 National, European, International, Industry and Research Foundation grants. His h-index is 71 and has authored more than 300 articles in diverse international journals including Nature, New England Journal of Medicine, Science Immunology, Lancet Respiratory Medicine, Blood, Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Nature Reviews, Trends Journals, Nature Communications, PNAS, Journal of Infectious Diseases, mBio and many others with >18,000 citations (THE LINK TO FULL LIST OF PUBLICATIONS: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/jagadeesh.bayry.1/bibliography/public/). He has 24 patents, has delivered more than 100 talks in prestigious institutions and conferences, and has guided more than 43 doctoral, post-doctoral and master fellows.

Jose Travino

  • I am presently a tenure track Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery. I have a significant published record of accomplishment and academic success in basic/translational and clinical research in cancer. My clinical expertise in Surgery and Oncology allows me the significant expertise in helping to oversee the advancement of a formal patient-derived xenograft/organoid program at VCU-Massey. With access to viable tumor tissues and PDX development, we have collaborated with top scientists in the country and worked on successful NIH and Foundation grant applications in discovery of new proteins contributing to pancreatic cancer tumor progression. With my successes and national reputation, I work with international groups on pancreatic cancer (PanCAN) and have significant efforts on various NIH funded proposals including numerous R01s, significant foundation awards (V Foundation for Cancer Research) and Department of Health extramural research grants. I was the co-PI on a funded grant to develop the first state- wide academic cancer center collaborative dedicated to promoting the early detection and prevention of pancreatic cancer. This collaborative highlights my leadership experience in running large-scale, multi-institutional studies. We have a funded lab with a sustained research program focusing on pancreatic carcinogenesis and patient-specific tumor-stromal interactions which affect skeletal muscle atrophy. We have also determined a significant pancreatic health disparity and determined possible initiating mechanisms of cancer cachexia as well as molecular differences amongst minority and diverse populations. My leadership skills, work and laboratory efforts has translated his work directly into novel therapeutic clinical trials, increasing h-index to 31 and rising, over 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals and national and international presentations, and more than 40 invited speaker engagements at academic institutions across the country. I am a leader and chairperson for regional, national, and international organizations, am on numerous editorial boards and associate editor for the Gastrointestinal Section for the Journal of Surgical Research and member for the National Institute of Health (NIH) Study Section in Cancer Biotherapeutics Development (CBD).

Karanveer Prakash

  • Dr. Karanvir Prakash, MD is an undersea & hyperbaric medicine specialist in Colonial Heights, VA. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Tricities Hospital and Southside Regional Medical Center.

Kartik Gupta

  • I obtained my Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology at the University of Wisconsin-- Madison where I investigated the role of cell death in cancer and cardiovascular biology. I investigated the role of post-translational modifications on key cell death proteins in the regulation of cell-death and identified a novel pathway of exosome secretion in the context of cell death. I have been a part of Dr. Esha Madan and Dr. Rajan Gogna's group for 10+ years and have contributed to several discoveries in their team related to cell competition and oxygen-signaling. After my Ph.D., I was a post-doc at Merck and Co., and am currently a scientist in immuno-oncology at a Bay Area startup.

Katherine P. Klein

  • https://www.vcuhealth.org/pauley-heart-center/the-beat/all-issues/spring-2021/new-faculty?tab=all-issues&type=article-detail

Danny Jonigk

  • Prof. Dr. Danny Jonigk is Head of the Lung Research Group at the Institute of Pathology and PI in the German Center for Lung Research

Kristen D. Mertz

  • Prof Kirsten Mertz is a senior pathologist affiliated with University Hospital Basel and Head of the Molecular Pathology and Cytopathology service at the Cantonal Hospital Baselland. She is a clinician scientist with more than 10 years’ (inter)national experience in clinical, molecular and digital pathology. Her scientific focus is on infectious pathology, immunopathology and molecular oncology. Prof Mertz is driven by a fascination for science and by an ambition to translate ideas into individual health innovation. The Molecular Pathology and Cytopathology lab’s main focus is on molecular diagnostics of cancer and the pathology of infections. The lab routinely uses NGS (next-generation sequencing) to characterize solid tumours and PCR-based analyses to detect specific pathogens in human biopsies. In parallel to routine diagnostics, the lab performs molecular biological experiments to support translational research.

Lance Hampton

  • Dr. Lance Hampton has treated urologic cancer and (kidney) stone disease for more than two decades. At VCU Health, Dr. Hampton is at the forefront of our robotic surgery program – in particular, use of the state-of-the-art da Vinci Surgical System. As director of Robotic Surgery at VCU Medical Center, Dr. Hampton has performed well over 1300 robotic operations for both benign and malignant conditions and oversees a team that uses the da Vinci system to minimize pain and speed up recovery.

Maria Leonor Peixoto

  • In 2019 I was fortunate enough to be committed to research work concerning tumors and their microenvironment- I have studied the alternative splicing that generates the Win and Lose Flower isoforms (Madan E. et al., Nature 2019). I eventually completed the integrated MSc in Biological Engineering from the Instituto Superior Tecnico (Lisbon) and continued my scientific career as a Ph.D. Student of Biotechnology and Biosciences. My training and expertise achieved during the last four years under the supervision of Dr. Esha Madan are in the field of molecular oncology and deal with the role of transcription factors in cancer growth and metastasis. My work was translated into publications and reviews in high-impact journals such as NAR and Trends Cell Biology. I aim to continue performing cutting-edge research and bring innovative and newly identified biomarkers for the early diagnosis and development of anti-cancer therapies from the bench to the bedside.

Maximilian Ackermann

  • Dr. Maximilian Ackermann is currently working as a professor and pathologist at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and Helios University Hospital Wuppertal. He received his medical degree from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. He is specialized in pathology and anatomic pathology.

Paul Fisher

  • Paul B. Fisher, M.Ph., Ph.D., received his Bachelor’s degree from Hunter College and his Master’s from Lehman College. He went on to get his M.Ph. (Master of Public Health) and Ph.D. from Rutgers University, where he was also a postdoctoral fellow. Dr. Fisher later conducted research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and at Columbia University, where he became a Professor of Clinical Pathology, the Director of Neuro-Oncology Research and the Michael and Stella Chernow Urological Cancer Research Scientist. Dr. Fisher joined the faculty of the Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) School of Medicine in 2008 and is currently a Professor and Chairman in the Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Director of the VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine and holds the Thelma Newmeyer Corman Chair of Cancer Research in the VCU Massey Cancer Center. Dr. Fisher’s laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular and biochemical basis of cancer development and progression, and utilizes this accrued knowledge to improve treatments for all types and stages of cancer, including the ultimate stage – metastasis.

Praveen Bhupatee

  • Leveraging my background in cancer biology, I have conducted extensive research aimed at understanding the molecular basis of various types of cancer, including neuroblastoma, glioblastoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and glioma. My research endeavors encompass a wide range of topics within cancer biology, with a particular focus on studying the mechanisms underlying cancer progression, metastasis, and the development of effective therapies.

    In the realm of gene therapy, I have explored its potential application as a therapeutic approach for these different types of cancer. By investigating the interactions between genetic alterations, signaling pathways, and cellular processes, I aim to uncover new insights into the biology of these cancers and identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

    Through my efforts, I have contributed to the scientific community with approximately 50 peer-reviewed publications published in prestigious journals such as PNAS, Cancer Research, and Cell Death and Differentiation. These publications have highlighted the significance of gene therapy in preventing metastasis, inducing tumor regression, and advancing our understanding of cancer.

    By expanding our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying these cancers, I strive to contribute to the development of innovative and effective treatment strategies that can ultimately improve patient outcomes in the field of cancer biology.

Raghavendra Pillappa

  • Dr. Pillappa earned his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S ) from Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, India in 2001. Followed by a post graduate degree in Pathology, Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, India in 2007 during which he secured the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences “Gold Medal” for scoring highest marks in the University Pathology Examination. After his education, he worked as Assistant Professor in Pathology at Sri MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, India (2008), following which he moved to International American University, Saint Lucia (2008-12).

    After completing his AP/CP residency at University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2016, Dr. Pillappa went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for two fellowships; General Surgical Pathology (2017) and Pulmonary Pathology (2018) with a special interest in Breast Pathology. Additionally, he has a special interest in interstitial lung diseases reading a large number of surgical lung biopsies at Mayo Clinic during his fellowship training. As a full time Assistant Professor at VCUHS, he will use his expertise in surgical/pulmonary pathology to serve a large and diverse patient population.

    Dr. Pillappa’s research interests include neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases of the lung including application of immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology to describe the basis of these diseases.

Rishabh Maurya

Rob Winn

  • Dr. Winn is an accomplished physician-scientist and a champion of the “bench to community” model in underserved communities. For over a decade, Dr Winn has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between basic science and community-based health care. He has received national and international acclaim for his efforts to empower underserved patient populations, improve health care delivery, and ensure equal access to cutting-edge medical treatments for all. His basic science research, which has been supported by multiple NIH and VA Merit awards, focuses on the translational aspects of the Wnt Pathway, RNA-binding proteins, and electrically silent-ion channels in lung cancer. As a result of his scientific efforts, Dr. Winn has published over 60 manuscripts and 5 book chapters. His expertise in the field of lung cancer has landed him a seat on several scientific review committees, including Molecular Oncogenesis and Cancer Molecular Pathobiology study sections at the NIH.

    Dr. Winn, a pulmonary and critical care specialist, received his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor. He completed his medical residency at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, and his fellowship in Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver. Furthermore, Dr. Winn’s clinical work extended to the Veteran communities at the VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System in Denver, as well as the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago where he established the first multidisciplinary Pulmonary Nodule Clinic.

    In December of 2019, Dr. Winn accepted the directorship ofVCU Massey Cancer Center. He is a Professor with tenurein the Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine at VCU School of Medicine.

Ronny Drapkin

  • The Drapkin laboratory focuses on developing a comprehensive understanding of the genetic, molecular and physiological factors that drive the development of cancer, with a special focus on gynecologic malignancies. Recent work from our group and others has implicated the fallopian tube (FT) secretory cell as the likely cell-of-origin for a majority of high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas. This new concept of ovarian tumorigenesis has been a paradigm shift in the field and the Drapkin lab has been at the forefront in developing novel experimental platforms that address the role of the FT epithelium and its susceptibility to neoplastic transformation. These platforms include genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models, fallopian tube-derived cell lines, and patient-derived tumor xenografts. The lab is currently focused on utilizing these models to interrogate how genetic and epigenetic alterations influence lineage dependencies, genomic instability, the tumor microenvironment, innervation, and drug resistance. The goal is to define selective vulnerabilities that can guide novel therapeutic approaches and biomarker development.

Sadia Sayeed

  • Sadia Sayeed, MD is Director of Cytopathology and of the Cytopathology Fellowship. She is also the service director of the GYN surgical pathology service. Her clinical specialties include surgical and cytopathology. Dr. Sayeed graduated from Ross University School of Medicine and subsequently completed residency training in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and Cytopathology fellowship at VCU Health. Dr. Sayeed continued her education at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in a surgical pathology fellowship with a focus on GYN. Currently, she has both clinical and research interests in GYN pathology and is in collaboration with the GYN oncology division. She also performs ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirations in the CytoDiagnosis Center in the Department of Anatomic Pathology.

Sahil Chaudhary

  • Translational medicine is the bridge that connects basic sciences research to the bedside clinical application. My interest in cellular and molecular biology, motivated me to pursue an engineering degree in Biotechnology. During my engineering, I understood the complex cell signaling pathways, and the technology of genetic engineering in curing diseases and that drew my attention towards oncology. After understanding biology at a cellular & molecular level during my undergrad, I wanted to understand the complex human body as well as their diseases and their management; this nudged me in the direction of medical school. My training as a medical doctor helped me understand not only the clinical presentation of a diseases and their management but also the importance of translational medicine in the clinical setting. During the Covid-19 pandemic, while working as a junior doctor in emergency medicine, I worked with Dr. Gogna & Dr. Madan and contributed in identifying one cell fitness marker called “Flower” in Covid-19 patients. In Dr. Madan’s lab, I will use my medical training and experience in clinical pathology to understand the basic science mechanisms of competitive cell interactions and their impact on a wide array of diseases. I will bring in translational knowledge to develop monoclonal antibody therapies to leverage the basic science mechanisms discovered in the lab. Outside the lab, I am a fitness enthusiast and excited about adventure sports. On lazy days, I like to spend my time playing open-world games on PlayStation.

Srinivas Kaveri

  • Dr. Srinivas V Kaveri is Director of Research at CNRS, France. A veterinarian by training, he received his PhD from the Pasteur Institute and did post-doctoral work at the University of California. He leads a research team at INSERM, at the Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers in Paris. His work relates to the molecular mechanisms of immunopathology and immunotherapy. Aside from over 250 publications, he has several patents to his name. He has received research grants from several national and international bodies. Since February 2015, Srinivas V Kaveri holds the position of Director of the CNRS Bureau in the French Embassy, New Delhi, India.

Steven Grossman

  • Steven Grossman, MD, PhD, an internationally recognized clinician and scientist in gastrointestinal cancers, joined USC Norris and Keck School of Medicine (KSOM)/Keck Medicine on September 15, 2020 as the inaugural Cancer Physician in Chief. Prior to joining USC Norris, he served as the Deputy Director of the Massey Cancer Center and Chief of Medical Oncology, Hematology, and Palliative Care at the Virginia Commonwealth University.

Vignesh Vudhata