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Strategic Planning Working Group (SPWG)

Mission Statement

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Clinical Trials and Translational Research Advisory Committee (CTAC) will convene an ad hoc Working Group to re-assess NCI's strategic vision for its clinical trials system for 2030 and beyond. The Working Group will review and address the capabilities of the clinical trials infrastructure necessary for achieving this vision as well as consider recommendations for relevant future CTAC activities.

Working Group membership will include CTAC members, as well as individuals from the scientific community with the appropriate expertise.

The Working Group will advise the Clinical Trials and Translational Research Advisory Committee and the NCI Director.

Roster

Chair

Julie M. Vose, M.D. (2025)
Neumann M. and Mildred E. Harris Professor
Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology
Department of Internal Medicine
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska

Members

Nilofer S. Azad, M.D. (2026)
Professor of Oncology
Co-Director, Developmental Therapeutics Group
Co-Leader, Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Program
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland

Smita Bhatia M.D., M.P.H. (2025)
Vice Chair of Outcomes for Pediatrics
Professor
Division of Hematology/Oncology
Department of Pediatrics
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama

Charles D. Blanke, M.D. (2024)
Chair, SWOG Cancer Research Network
Professor
Knight Cancer Institute
Oregon Health and Sciences University
Portland, Oregon

Edward Chu, M.D. (2025)
Director
Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center
Carol and Roger Einiger Professor of Cancer Medicine
Department of Medicine
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, New York

Adam P. Dicker, M.D., Ph.D. (2024)
Professor and Chair
Department of Radiation Oncology
Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Gary C. Doolittle, M.D. (2026)
Capitol Federal Masonic Professor
Division of Medical Oncology
University of Kansas Medical Center
Westwood, Kansas

Ernest T. Hawk, M.D. (2024)
Vice President and Head
Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences
T. Boone Pickens Distinguished Chair for Early Prevention of Cancer
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas

Ken Kobayashi, M.D., F.A.C.P.* (2028)
Chief Medical Officer
Pyxis Oncology
Boston, Massachusetts

Seth P. Lerner, M.D., F.A.C.S. (2025)
SWOG GU Committee Chair
Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs
Beth and Dave Swalm Chair in Urologic Oncology
Professor
Scott Department of Urology
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas

Sumithra J. Mandrekar, Ph.D. (2024)
Professor of Biostatistics
Group Statistician, Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
Department of Quantitative Health Sciences
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Rochester, Minnesota

Robert S. Mannel, M.D. (2026)
Director
Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center
College of Medicine
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Ruben A. Mesa, M.D. (2026)
President, Enterprise Cancer Service Line Atrium Health
Executive Director, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center
Senior Vice President, Atrium Health
Vice Dean for Cancer Programs
Wake Forest School of Medicine
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Carolyn Y. Muller, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. (2025)
Associate Director of Clinical Research
The Judy Putman Dirks Endowed Professor in Gynecologic Cancer Care
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Raymond U. Osarogiagbon, M.B.B.S. (2027)
Chief Scientist
Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation
Adjunct Research Professor
Department of Medicine
Vanderbilt University
Memphis, Tennessee

Raphael E. Pollock, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S. (2025)
Kathleen Wellenreiter Klotz Chair in Cancer Research
Director
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
Columbus, Ohio

Suresh S. Ramalingam, M.D., F.A.S.C.O. (2025)
Professor
Winship Cancer Institute
Roberto C. Goizueta Chair for Cancer Research
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, Georgia

Victor M. Santana, M.D. (2025)
Director for Global Research Operations
St. Jude Children s Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee

Patricia A. Spears (2026)
Scientific Research Manager
Patient Advocate
Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

George Wilding, M.D. (2026)
Professor Emeritus and Director Emeritus
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Ex Officio Members

James H. Doroshow, M.D.
Deputy Director
Clinical and Translational Research
Director, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland

Brandy Heckman-Stoddard, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Acting Chief
Community Oncology and Prevention Trials
Division of Cancer Prevention
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland

Margaret Mooney, M.D.
Associate Director
Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program
Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland

Executive Secretary

Iris Castro, M.P.H.
Scientific Program Specialist
Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials
Office of the Director
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland

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