37 Member Networks and Programs Receive Commendations in 2025 for Research Performance

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, 2025
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, 2025

37 Member Networks and Programs Receive Commendations in 2025 for Research Performance

Evaluation Form

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

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *