I am a gastrointestinal medical oncologist with a research focus on novel clinical trials and cancer immunotherapy. I have gained experience in translational research and clinical trial design through a Master's program in clinical and translational science. My current work involves understanding the biology of gastrointestinal cancers and designing novel clinical trials to improve patient outcomes. Besides, I am interested in studying mechanisms of immune dysfunction in obese cancer patients and the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in solid tumors. I have led over a dozen clinical trials as a Principal Investigator (PI) and received six grants as a PI or co-investigator. Many of my studies are investigator-initiated and grant-funded through national organizations like the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the department of defense (DOD). My work has resulted in several national/international presentations and peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals. As a physician-scientist, my goal is to conduct innovative clinical trials using novel immunotherapy agents and take discoveries from the lab to the bedside to improve life expectancy as well as the quality of life of cancer patients. As an educator, I strive to improve the quality of oncology education and mentor the next generation of clinician investigators.
I have had the opportunity to serve the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). I have been a member of the Trainee Council Working Group, Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee, and the Professional Development Committee at ASCO. I have also served on multiple guidelines panels for ASCO. Currently, I am a guidelines panel member at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network(NCCN) and the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus. I also serve as a member of the board of directors at the Esophageal Cancer Action Network and as a co-chair of the quality subcommittee at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer.
I have been fortunate to receive many national and international awards. I have been asked to review manuscripts for reputed journals and grant applications for federal funding agencies.
For me, caring for a cancer patient is more than treating a disease; it's a healing process involving both the patient's body, mind, and caregivers. I would like to see myself as a successful clinical and translational researcher and a compassionate physician, and a thought leader in the field of gastrointestinal cancers.