The UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has appointed new leadership to several of its programs, bringing together a team of experts poised to advance cancer discoveries, education and patient care. These leaders will guide key research initiatives, mentor the next generation of cancer scientists, and support efforts to translate scientific discoveries into better outcomes for patients.
Caius Radu, MD, professor of molecular and medical pharmacology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, will become director of the Cancer Molecular Imaging, Nanotechnology, and Theranostics (CMINT) Research Program, joined by co-directors Christine Mona, PhD, and Amar Kishan, MD. The team combines expertise to advance translational imaging, nanoparticle design, and theranostics to accelerate discoveries and improve cancer patient outcomes. Radu’s work focuses on the interplay of metabolism and signaling in cancer and has led to the development of new PET probes and therapeutic targets now in clinical use. Mona, assistant professor of molecular and medical pharmacology, conducts research in chemistry, pharmacology, and nuclear medicine, focusing on novel stroma-targeted radionuclide therapies and combination treatments for hard-to-treat cancers. Kishan, executive vice chair for radiation oncology, specializes in advanced radiation techniques for genitourinary cancers, particularly prostate and bladder, and leads an active translational research program aimed at improving treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects.
The Cancer Control and Survivorship (CCS) Research Program will be led by directors Beth Glenn, PhD, and Mina Sedrak, MD, MS. The program unites experts across UCLA to tackle cancer control from prevention and early detection to survivorship and end-of-life care. Glenn, professor of Health Policy and Management at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, focuses on improving outcomes and quality of life for cancer survivors through research on health policy, care delivery, and survivorship interventions. Sedrak, associate professor of medicine and director of the Cancer and Aging Program at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, studies the complex relationship between cancer treatment and the aging process to unravel the biological mechanisms underlying accelerated aging in people with cancer.
William Lowry, PhD, professor of molecular, cell and developmental biology, will assume leadership of the Cancer Research Training, Education, and Coordination (CRTEC)/Training & Education Program and the center’s broader cancer education, training, and mentoring initiatives. As director of Cancer Education, Training and Mentoring, Lowry will oversee the development and implementation of innovative cancer-focused training programs, providing guidance and mentorship to trainees at all levels and helping shape the next generation of cancer researchers.
“We are thrilled to have these outstanding leaders directing our programs,” said Michael Teitell, MD, PhD, director of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Their combined expertise and collaborative approach will strengthen our ability to advance cancer science and translate discoveries into better care for patients.”
