
NIH Implements “Zero-Embargo” Revisions to its Public Access Policy for Published Scientific Research
November 21, 2025
Fall 2025 Group Meeting Puts the Spotlight on Real-World Data, Mentorship, and An Exciting TAILORx Correlative Science Initiative
November 21, 202537 Member Networks and Programs Receive Commendations in 2025 for Research Performance
Each year, the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (ECOG-ACRIN) conducts an Institution Evaluation in which a subset of Principal Investigator (PI) Committee members and senior administrators meet to evaluate the performance of ECOG-ACRIN member networks and programs. The exceptional staff in the Membership Department facilitates the process—encompassing 1451 individual research institutions, comprising 144 research programs. Through this annual review, principal investigators and research personnel stay informed about the many scientific and administrative components that comprise ECOG-ACRIN's expectations for retaining membership in the Group. In addition, the evaluation ensures that member institutions maintain ECOG-ACRIN's high standards for conducting cancer research with and through the Group.
Data from the previous calendar year (2024) was evaluated. The following areas are part of the review: accrual, clinical data quality and timeliness, compliance with requirements for submission of laboratory samples and images, scientific leadership, administrative contribution, and compliance with policies of both ECOG-ACRIN and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) through its National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) audit process. The review committee is blinded to the identity of the institutions during this initial evaluation when they give a numerical rating to these categories. However, final unblinded assessments are based on objective data and discussions on the unique aspects of each institution that cannot be captured in a numerical rating.
For 2025, the review committee voted to commend the following 37 networks and NCI Community Oncology Research Programs (NCORPs). Group Co-Chairs Peter J. O'Dwyer, MD, and Mitchell D. Schnall, MD, PhD, recognized them during the Fall 2025 Group Meeting General Session.
Overall Outstanding Performance
|
Institution |
Principal Investigator |
Administrator |
|
Aultman Health System/Timken Family Cancer Center |
Sunitha Vemulapalli, MD |
Mary Amos, RN, BSN |
|
Chiang Mai University, Thailand |
Pailin Kongmebhol, MD |
Sirirat Pengduang, BSN |
|
City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center |
Stanley R. Hamilton, MD |
Loran L. Lord, RN |
|
Johns Hopkins University/The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center |
Julie R. Brahmer, MD |
Judy Murray, BS |
|
Medical College of Wisconsin/MCW Cancer Center |
Mehdi H. Hamadani, MD |
Cassandra L. Gill, BA |
|
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center |
Eytan M. Stein, MD |
Edwin Zambrano-Acosta, MS |
|
Metro Minnesota Community Oncology Research Consortium NCORP |
David M. King, MD |
Pamela Felix, RN |
|
Mount Sinai Health System/The Tisch Cancer Institute |
Joseph A. Sparano, MD |
Shakira N. Forde, MS |
|
New York University/NYU Langone’s Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center |
Catherine S. Diefenbach, MD |
Melanie Huber, MPH |
|
Northwestern University/Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center |
Al B. Benson III, MD |
Ericka Chant, MPH |
|
The Ohio State University/The James Comprehensive Cancer Center |
James W. Rocco, MD PhD |
Meghan Wyse, PhD |
|
Stanford University/Stanford Cancer Institute |
Melinda L. Telli, MD |
Martina Steffen, MS |
|
Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan |
Yi-Chen Lai, MD |
In Transition |
|
The University of Texas/MD Anderson Cancer Center |
In Transition at Time of Evaluation |
Shunte' Scott, MHA, BS |
|
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital |
Steven J. Cohen, MD |
Pam Touchstone, BSN, MBA |
|
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill/UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center |
Lisa A. Carey, MD |
Jessica Huamani-Bundy, MS |
|
University of Pennsylvania/ Abramson Cancer Center |
Jennifer R. Eads, MD |
Kate S. Barbour, MS |
|
University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center |
Evan Y. Yu, MD |
Maggie So, MPH |
|
Washington University at St. Louis/Siteman Cancer Center |
Barry A. Siegel, MD |
Robin L. Haverman, BS |
|
Wisconsin NCORP |
Kurt R. Oettel, MD |
Mari K. Erickson, BA |
|
Yale University/Yale Cancer Center |
Barbara A. Burtness, MD |
Osarieme Oni, MS |
Accrual and Scientific Contribution
|
Institution |
Principal Investigator |
Administrator |
|
Emory University/Winship Cancer Institute |
Charles A. Staley III, MD |
Krystal Thomas, BS |
Accrual
|
Institution |
Principal Investigator |
Administrator |
|
Carle Cancer Center NCORP |
Kendrith M. Rowland Jr., MD |
Elizabeth Barnick, MHSC, CCRP |
|
CERIM, Argentina |
Daniel E. Lehrer, MD |
Damian E. Lehrer |
|
Gulf South Minority Underserved NCORP |
Augusto C. Ochoa, MD |
Dina Brackman, RN |
|
Oncosalud Peru |
Carlos S. Vallejos Sologuren, MD |
In Transition |
|
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey |
Howard S. Hochster, MD |
Karen J. Jackson, AA |
|
University of Wisconsin/UW Carbone Cancer Center |
Kari B. Wisinski, MD |
Jordan T. Nelson |
Scientific Contribution and Administrative Participation
|
Institution |
Principal Investigator |
Administrator |
|
Harvard University/Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center |
Frank S. Hodi, MD |
Nicole L. Hackett, MS |
Scientific Contribution
|
Institution |
Principal Investigator |
Administrator |
|
Cornell University/Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine |
Ari M. Melnick, MD |
Anita Ou, MPH |
|
Duke University/Duke Cancer Institute |
Daniel P. Barboriak, MD |
Phillip N. Jeffries, BS |
|
Indiana University/IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center |
Kathy D. Miller, MD |
Brooke Greiner, BA |
|
Montefiore Minority Underserved NCORP |
Balazs Halmos, MD |
Esther Y. Kwak, BA |
|
Wake Forest University/Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University |
Yong Bradley, MD |
Megan B. Farmer, MS |
Data Management
|
Institution |
Principal Investigator |
Administrator |
|
Cancer Partners of Nebraska |
Joni A. Tilford, MD |
Bronson Riley, MS |
|
Delaware/Christiana Care NCORP |
Gregory A. Masters, MD |
Lauren C. Barone, MSN, RN, OCN, LNCC |
|
Parc Tauli Sabadell Hospital Universitari, Spain |
Javier Del Riego |
Cecilia Aynes |
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