Rodney "Rod" P. Rocconi, MD
Director
Department:
SER-Cancer Institute
Email:
rocconi@umc.edu
Work Phone:
(601) 815-6802
Biography
Dr. Rodney P. Rocconi currently serves as Director of the Cancer Center & Research Institute and Professor of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He has a productive research career credited with over 200 presentations at national meetings and over 140 publications. His research interests include genetic/molecular determinants of racial healthcare disparities in gynecologic malignancies, as well as understanding the molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. Numerous NIH/NCI, DOD, PCORI, and foundation grants have supported his research program. He has been recognized for his work as a recipient of the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation Ovarian Cancer Research Award, the Gynecologic Oncology Group Young Investigator Research Award, and an invited Associate Member of the NCI Early Detection Research Network.
Rocconi has served as principal investigator in over 80 clinical trials with multiple early phase 1/2 investigator-initiated studies. Rocconi’s clinical trial and translational research are highlighted by being the principal investigator for a series of ovarian cancer immunotherapy trials involving gemogenoventucel-T (Vigil), a novel autologous tumor cell-directed therapy constructed from harvested tumor tissue from each patient and transfected ex vivo with a plasmid encoding human GM-CSF and bi-shRNA for furin. Translational efforts towards predictive and prognostic biomarkers for this vaccine have demonstrated a significant survival benefit in patients with homologous recombination-proficient tumors. This represents an important unmet need where the standard of care has not changed in over 20 years. Additional work from his lab has identified the overexpression of a novel biomarker, ENTPD1, as the most robust predictive biomarker for both progression-free and overall survival.
Collectively, these experiences have allowed Rocconi to serve on numerous national leadership roles in the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO), NRG Oncology Cooperative Group, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), as well as to chair multiple Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program sections. Recognizing his accomplishments in oncology, he was selected to participate in the ASCO Leadership Development Program.
Education
| University of Alabama at Birmingham, MD, Oncology | 2000 |
| University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, BA, Biological Science | 1994 |
Specialty Certification Licensure
| Certification, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology | 06/2011 - Present |
| Licensure, MD Permanent Renewal | 05/2026 - Present |
| Licensure, MISSISSIPPI STATE BOARD OF MEDICAL LICENSURE | 07/2025 - 06/2026 |
Current Positions
| Director, School of Medicine, Department of Cancer Institute | 05/2023 - Present |
| The University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, Mississippi 39216 | |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
| Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, University of South Alabama | 2020 |
| USA College of Medicine Red Sash Honors Convocation Award 2017-2019, University of South Alabama | 2017 |
| USA College of Medicine Best Faculty in Medical Student Education, University of South Alabama | 2017 |
| ASCO’s Leadership Development Program 2016-2017, ASCO | 2016 |
| Poster of Exceptional Merit at the American College of Surgeons 2013 Clinical Congress, American College of Surgeons 2013 Clinical Congress | 2013 |
| Eugene Bricker Award best scientific research at the Society Pelvic Surgeons, Dusseldorf, Germany, Society Pelvic Surgeons | 2013 |
| CREOG National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education, Carver College of Medicine, University of South Carolina | 2012 |
| CREOG National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education, Carver College of Medicine, University of South Carolina | 2011 |
| USA Medical Student Honors Convocation- Recognition for Most Meaningful Input into Medical Education to the Class of 2011, University of South Alabama | 2011 |
| Mobile Bay Monthly Magazine 2010- 40 under 40 Award, Mobile Bay Monthly Magazine | 2010 |
| Hooker-Kubik Research Award Sponsor, University of South Alabama | 2010 |
| CREOG National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education, Carver College of Medicine, University of South Carolina | 2010 |
| Ovarian Cancer Research Grant - Sherri’s From a Whisper to a Roar/Women’s Motorcycle Foundation Ovarian Cancer Research Award, Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) | 2010 |
| Swift Biotechnology Gynecologic Cancer Screening Tests - Second Prize Winner, Alabama Launchpad Business Plan Competition | 2010 |
| USA Med School Class of 2010 Honors Convocation- Most Meaningful Input into Medical Education, University of South Alabama | 2010 |
| APGO/CREOG 3rd Place Poster at Annual Meeting A Comprehensive Method to Train Residents in Robotic Hysterectomy Techniques, APGO/CREOG | 2010 |
| USA Med School Class of 2009 Honors Convocation- Most Meaningful Input into Medical Education, USA Med School Class of 2009 | 2009 |
| Best Teaching Attending by USA ObGyn Residents, USA ObGyn Residents | 2009 |
| Nominated Best Teaching Attending by USA Medical Students, USA Medical Students | 2009 |
| ACOG Honorable Mention for Film: Simulation Lab to Train Residents in Robotic Hysterectomy, American College of Obstetricians | 2009 |
| CREOG National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education, Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology | 2008 |
| Gynecologic Oncology Group Young Investigator Award, Amgen Oncology | 2007 |
Professional Membership and Service
| Alpha Omega Alpha Honor (AOA) Medical Society | |
| South Central Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (SCOGS), Member | |
| Mobile County Medical Society (MCMS), Member | |
| American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Member | |
| American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Member | |
| American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG)- Fellow (FACOG), Fellow | |
| Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Full Member, Member |
Committee Service
| CCRI Research Leadership Committee, Co-Chair | 2023 - Present |
| CCRI Clinical Leadership Committee, Co-Chair | 2023 - Present |
| Cancer Center & Research Institute (CCRI) Directors Strategic Committee, Chair | 2023 - Present |
| Gynecologic Cancer Foundation Resident Task Force, Member | 2003 - 2004 |
| Society of Gynecologic Oncology Resident Chairman, Chair | 2003 - 2004 |
| UMMC Medical Executive Committee, Member | |
| UMMC CCRI Vice Chancellor’s Strategic Planning Committee, Member | |
| UMMC Oncology Operations Committee, Member |