Research Support Committees

Many Group members and staff with a deep knowledge of Group policy and clinical investigation participate in a network of research support committees. These committees, which are directly involved in the scientific research activities of the Group, provide a wide array of services that enhance the production of high-quality research and further strengthen the existing climate of excellence within the Group.

Some research support committee chairs appoint members to serve as liaisons to scientific committees in the Group’s three scientific programs: Cancer Control and Outcomes, Therapeutic Studies, and Biomarker Sciences. The appointed members help to facilitate intercommittee communication and also provide specialized expertise as new clinical trials are conceived. This matrix-style organizational structure ensures that relevant research and patient care objectives are fully implemented into the scientific programs and that individuals across multiple disciplines have opportunities to work together in areas of common interest.

Listed alphabetically below are the research support committees and their leadership.

Audit and Quality Control Committee

	Chair Bruce J. Giantonio, MD, FACP Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital Biography in revision Email		Vice Chair In Transition

Cancer Research Advocates Committee

	Chair Mary Lou Smith, JD, MBA Research Advocacy Network Biography Email

Clinical Research Associates Committee (Medical/Surgical)

	Chair Christine M. Jerome, BS, CCRP Thomas Jefferson University Biography (to come) Email		Co-Chair LaToya D. Strickland, BS, CCRP University Hospital Cleveland Medical Center and the Sideman Cancer Center Biography (to come) Email

Community Cancer Committee

	Chair Matthias Weiss, MD, PhD ThedaCare Cancer Center Biography Email		Co-Chair In Transition

Oncology Nursing Committee

	Chair Bridget O’Brien Fagan, DNP, APN, FNP-BC, AOCNP Northwestern University/Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center Biography Email		Co-Chair Stephanie J. Smith, RN, MSN, OCN Georgia NCORP Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer and Research Pavilion at St. Joseph’s/Candler (Savannah, GA) Biography (to come) Email

Pharmacy Committee

	Co-Chair Virna I. Almuete, PharmD, BCOP Johns Hopkins University and The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Biography (to come) Email		Co-Chair George W. Carro, RPH, MS, BCOP NorthShore University HealthSystem Biography Email

Publications and Research Dissemination Committee

	Co-Chair Laurie Fajardo, MD, MBA, FACR University of Utah Health Care Biography Email		Co-Chair Arlene A. Forastiere, MD Johns Hopkins University and The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Biography Email
	Vice Chair Bruce J. Giantonio, MD, FACP Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital Biography in revision Email

Radiation Oncology Committee

	Chair A. Bapsi Chakravarthy, MD Vanderbilt University and the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Biography Email

Research Associates Committee (Imaging)

	Chair Wendy J. Smith, BS, RTRCV, CCRP Rhode Island Hospital Biography Email

Surgery Committee

	Chair Charles A. Staley III, MD Emory University and the Winship Cancer Institute Biography Email		Vice Chair Bruce J. Averbook, MD The MetroHealth System Biography Email