I am pleased to announce the appointment of two new leaders to our research programs.
Agata Exner, PhD will co-lead the Cancer Imaging Program with Jim Basilion, PhD and Zhenghong Lee, PhD. Dr. Exner is a translational researcher with collaborative industry ties. Her nanobubble technology has been licensed by FUS Instruments for research use and shows promise in large animal models and application to many cancers such as prostate, breast and liver and other diseases, such as diabetes. She is professor of radiology and medical engineering and director of the Laboratory for Image Guided Therapeutics at the Case Center for Imaging Research at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Exner is a natural leader with a strong research portfolio and will bring new insights and initiatives to the program.
Jennifer Yu, MD, PhD will co-lead the Developmental Therapeutics Program with John Letterio, MD and Yogen Saunthararajah, MD. Dr. Yu is a physician-scientist focused on understanding the underlying mechanisms that drive glioma stem cells. Her lab strives to translate experimental therapeutics to clinical trials to improve therapy for patients with brain tumors. Dr. Yu is staff in the Department of Radiation Oncology and the Center for Cancer Stem Cell Research at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute and associate professor of molecular medicine at Case Western Reserve University. She serves as co-Leader of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Cancer Stem Cell Working Group, was elected to the prestigious American Society for Clinical Investigation, Board of Directors of the Society for Neuro-Oncology, and elected President of the Society for Thermal Medicine. She brings broad scientific expertise, leadership skills and a large network of collaborators to her new position.
Please join me in congratulating Drs. Exner and Yu!
Stan Gerson, MD
Director, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center