Catherine Bollard, MD, MBChB

Director, Center for Cancer and Immunology, Children’s National Research Institute

Director, Program for Cell Enhancement and Technologies for Immunotherapy, Children’s National Research Institute

Professor, Pediatrics and Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University

More Information: https://cancercenter.gwu.edu/profile/doctor/catherine-bollard

Research Bio:

Dr. Bollard is a distinguished hematologist, immunologist, and immunotherapist known for her leadership in developing cell and gene therapies. As the current president of the Foundation for the Accreditation for Cellular Therapy (FACT), she spearheads clinical and research efforts to strengthen the immune system through adoptive cell therapy. Her work is focused on combating cancer and inflammatory diseases, with a dedication to advancing cell and gene therapies for patients with cancer and underlying immune deficiencies.

Cesar Castro, MD, MMSc

Associate Professor, Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Director, Gynecologic Oncology Program - MGH Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital
Director, Cancer Program - MGH Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital

More Information: https://www.dfhcc.harvard.edu/insider/member-detail/member/cesar-m-castro-md-mmsc/

Research Bio:

Dr. Castro is a translational oncologist specializing in nanotechnology and molecular imaging for solid tumor detection. He leads the Gynecologic Oncology Program at the MGH Cancer Center and directs the Cancer Program at the MGH Center for Systems Biology. Dr. Castro is a key figure in the National Cancer Institute Liquid Biopsy Consortium. His work focuses on innovative approaches to cancer detection and profiling.

Robert Coleman MD, FACOG, FACS

Professor, Deputy Chair and Vice Chair of Clinical Research
Ann Rife Cox Chair in Gynecology

Research Bio:

Dr. Coleman is a distinguished gynecologic oncologist renowned for his expertise in the field. He is skilled in performing various surgical procedures, including laparoscopic hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, radical hysterectomy, and lymphadenectomy. Dr. Coleman is affiliated with Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center and actively engages in clinical research. His recent study investigating the use of niraparib in recurrent ovarian cancer patients without BRCA gene mutations revealed promising results, showcasing improved overall survival rates compared to active surveillance. This research offers hope to patients seeking effective second-line maintenance therapy.

Jose Conejo-Garcia MD, PhD

Chair of the Immunology Department at Moffitt Cancer Center

More Information: https://scholars.duke.edu/person/jose.conejo-garcia

Research Bio:

Dr.Conejo-Garcia's research centers on the intricate dynamics that regulate the equilibrium between immunosuppression and protective immunity within the tumor microenvironment. His work places a significant emphasis on deciphering the interplay between innate (gamma/delta) and adaptive (alpha/beta) T cells, as well as B lymphocytes. Notably, the findings from Dr. Conejo-Garcia's laboratory are actively transitioning into clinical trials where CAR T cell therapies are harnessed for the treatment of ovarian cancer patients.

Fergus Couch, PhD

Consultant, Division of Experimental Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic

Chair, Division of Experimental Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic

More Information: https://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/couch-fergus-j-ph-d/bio-00027515

Research Bio:

Dr. Couch conducts research primarily focused on breast and pancreatic cancer. His work involves identifying genetic alterations related to breast cancer susceptibility, particularly in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are also associated with ovarian cancer risk. Additionally, his research explores factors influencing the response to chemotherapy in breast cancer. Dr. Couch's research into ovarian cancer concerns variants of significance in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and their implications in ovarian cancer risk assessment.

George Coukos, MD, PhD

Head of UNIL CHUV Oncology Department
Director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

More Information: https://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/scientist/george-coukos/

Research Bio:

Dr. Coukos has devoted his career to groundbreaking immunotherapy research, particularly in the realm of ovarian cancer. His early 2000s investigations into spontaneous immune responses within ovarian tumors ignited his interest in immunotherapy development. His work has unveiled crucial insights, including how tumors exploit regulatory T cells to suppress immune responses and the role of tumor blood vessels in this process. Additionally, he has been a driving force behind the development and evaluation of novel immunotherapies, such as dendritic cell vaccines, in clinical trials.

Anne Cust, PhD, MPH(Hons)

Professor of Cancer Epidemiology in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney
Deputy Director of the Daffodil Centre

More Information: https://daffodilcentre.org/people/anne-cust/

Dr. Cust is a leading cancer epidemiologist and NHMRC Investigator Fellow renowned for her research in Melanoma and Skin Cancer. Her work focuses on translating research into impactful policies and clinical practices. She's made significant contributions to skin cancer prevention, screening, genomic cancer risk, and international melanoma consortia.

Melissa Geller, MD, MS

Associate Professor and Division Director, Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health (OBGYN)
University of Minnesota

More information: https://med.umn.edu/bio/obgyn-faculty/melissa-geller

Research Bio:

Dr. Geller is dedicated to researching innovative therapies for recurrent ovarian cancer, with a particular focus on harnessing NK cells for treatment. She has initiated multiple clinical trials exploring immunotherapy in advanced gynecologic malignancies. Dr. Geller's pioneering work includes developing a next-generation immunotherapy product using anti-mesothelin CAR-expressing human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to enhance NK cell targeting of ovarian cancer cells. Additionally, she's created technology-based interventions to enhance ovarian cancer patients' quality of life and is involved in genetic counseling research funded by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Diane Jelinek, PhD

Consultant, Cellular Immunology, Department of Research, Mayo Clinic

Professor of Immunology, Mayo Clinic

More Information: https://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/jelinek-diane-f-ph-d/bio-00084587

Research Bio:

Dr. Jelinek's research focuses on human B cell and plasma cell biology, encompassing both normal and cancerous cells. Her work investigates the survival, proliferation, and differentiation mechanisms of these cells, shedding light on diseases like chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and primary amyloidosis. Dr. Jelinek's studies involve understanding the interactions between B cells and immune cells, exploring the role of key enzymes like activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), and investigating molecular features of the CLL B cell antigen receptor. Additionally, she delves into multiple myeloma progression, tumor cell growth regulation, and the unique antibody-secreting plasma cells in primary amyloidosis that lead to organ deposits.

Scott Kaufmann, MD, PhD

Consultant, Division of Oncology Research, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic

Chair and Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic

More Information: https://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/kaufmann-scott-h-m-d-ph-d/bio-00027216

Research Bio:

Dr. Kaufmann conducts crucial research focused on targeted anti-cancer treatments. His Anticancer Drug Action Laboratory delves into understanding cell killing and resistance mechanisms in cancer cells. Dr. Kaufmann's work spans various areas, including investigating apoptosis induction, studying kinase inhibitors' role in activating apoptosis pathways, and examining the engagement of apoptotic machinery by different targeted agents. He's also dedicated to understanding and overcoming PARP inhibitor resistance in ovarian cancer for improved therapeutic strategies. Additionally, his research addresses emergent myeloid neoplasms associated with PARP inhibitor treatments in ovarian cancer patients receiving carboplatin therapy.

Daniela Matei, MD

Diana, Princess of Wales Professor of Cancer Research
Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Oncology) and Obstetrics and Gynecology (Gynecologic Oncology)
Northwestern University

More information: https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/obgyn/faculty/profile.html?xid=34025

Research Bio:

Dr. Matei co-leads the Women’s Cancer Research Program at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her groundbreaking work focuses on ovarian cancer stem cells, chemotherapy-resistant tumor epigenetics, and lipid metabolism's impact on cancer. Dr. Matei actively participates in clinical and translational research in solid tumors and co-leads the NCTN activities at the Lurie Cancer Center.

Ursula Matulonis, MD

Heather Nelson, PhD, MPH

Associate Professor, Division of Epidemiology and Community  Health;
Program Leader, Masonic Cancer Center
University of Minnesota School of Public Health

More information: https://directory.sph.umn.edu/bio/sph-a-z/heather-nelson

Research Bio:

Dr. Nelson's research program is dedicated to investigating the intricate interplay between environmental factors and genetic predispositions that heighten cancer susceptibility and influence patient outcomes. Her current research endeavors are specifically oriented toward unraveling the significance of individual variations in immune responses and the impact of viral exposures in the realm of cancer epidemiology.

Kenneth Nephew, PhD

Adjunct Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Medical Sciences Program
Fellow, Indiana Molecular Biology Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, IU Bloomington
Adjunct Professor of Biology, College of Arts & Sciences, IU Bloomington

More information:https://medicine.iu.edu/education/campuses/bloomington/faculty/26559/nephew-kenneth/

Daniel J. Powell, PhD

Associate Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

More Information: https://www.med.upenn.edu/apps/faculty/index.php/g275/p8186734

Research Bio:

Dr. Powell's research is at the forefront of ovarian cancer investigation, with a primary focus on immune-based therapies. His lab excels in isolating potent tumor-reactive T cells within ovarian cancer populations and advancing crucial aspects such as checkpoint therapies and T cell receptor isolation. His innovative work extends to optimizing immunotherapies through new tumor model systems and pioneering genetic engineering methods for generating tumor-reactive T cells, holding significant promise for enhancing ovarian cancer treatments.

John Quackenbush, PhD

Professor of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics and Chair of Department of Biostatistics, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health

Professor, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

More Information: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/john-quackenbush/

Research Bio:

Dr. Quackenbush's research focuses on leveraging genomics and computational methods to study patterns of gene expression in cancer. His work aims to reveal fundamental networks and pathways in disease development and progression, using genomic data to gain insights into biological systems.

Sharon Stack, PhD

Ann F. Dunne and Elizabeth Riley Director of Harper Cancer Research Institute Kleiderer-Pezold Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of Notre Dame

More information: https://harpercancer.nd.edu/people/m-sharon-stack/

Research Bio:

Dr. Stack is a renowned researcher with a focus on ovarian and oral cancer metastasis. Her work delves into the molecular mechanisms governing metastasis and how tumor cells respond to microenvironmental cues.

Kathryn Terry, ScD

Associate Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical Schools

Associate Epidemiologist, Ob/Gyn Epidemiology Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

More Information: https://www.dfhcc.harvard.edu/insider/member-detail/member/kathryn-l-terry-scd/

Research Bio:

Dr. Terry's research centers on investigating the intricate interplay between genetic variations, environmental factors, and their impact on ovarian cancer risk and survival. Her specific focus revolves around understanding the varying risk profiles associated with different ovarian cancer subtypes, whether characterized by histologic subtype, cell of origin, or etiological pathway.

Shelley Tworoger, PhD

Associate Center Director of Population Science
Moffitt Cancer Center

More Information: https://www.moffitt.org/research-science/researchers/shelley-tworoger/

Research Bio:

Dr. Tworoger focuses on reducing morbidity and mortality from ovarian and breast cancers. Her multidisciplinary approach is dedicated to various key areas: investigating how the host macroenvironment influences tumor development and heterogeneity, identifying novel factors associated with ovarian cancer risk and survival, leading consortial research initiatives such as the Ovarian Cancer Cohort Consortium, exploring the biological consequences of psychosocial stress on carcinogenesis, and elucidating the hormonal etiology of breast cancer while integrating biologic markers into risk prediction models, aiming to make risk prediction a valuable clinical tool.

John Weroha, MD, PhD

Consultant, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology, Mayo Clinic

Associate Professor of Oncology, Mayo Clinic

More Information: https://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/weroha-saravut-john-j-m-d-ph-d/bio-20090094

Research Bio:

Dr. Weroha focuses on enhancing therapeutic options for ovarian and other gynecological cancers. His key areas of focus encompass developing innovative therapeutic combinations involving PARP inhibitors for ovarian cancer, comprehending resistance mechanisms to PARP inhibitors to devise effective strategies, utilizing patients' own tumors for treatment response prediction and clinical guidance, leading and supporting clinical trials for gynecological malignancies, and expanding the world's largest collection of patient-derived xenografts by advancing ovarian cancer models and introducing models for endometrial and rare gynecological cancers.