Director's message
As we move into a season of growth and momentum at the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute, I am pleased to share that several outstanding scientists and clinicians are joining our team. Each new colleague brings expertise that strengthens our research enterprise, expands our clinical capabilities and supports our long-term goal of achieving National Cancer Institute designation.
This month, we welcome Dr. Nirakar Rajbhandari as an assistant professor in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology. Dr. Rajbhandari is an accomplished cancer biologist whose work in pancreatic cancer modeling, tumor vulnerabilities and aggressive disease subtypes will significantly enhance CCRI’s scientific depth.
Dr. Rajbhandari is one of several new hires joining CCRI. He follows Dr. Angelina Aduke Toluhi, assistant professor at the John D. Bower School of Population Health, who brings more than 15 years of applied leadership in health systems strengthening, maternal and child health, and health equity research, and Dr. Aswin Natarajan, assistant professor of research in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, who comes to UMMC from New York University Langone Health and has more than two decades of experience in structural biology, biophysics and molecular biology, complemented by over 14 years of focused work in T-cell biology and cancer immunology.
Over the past three fiscal years, we've recruited 25 faculty members to the CCRI to conduct innovative research, ensure community voices are reflected in all that we do, educate the next generation of cancer clinicians and scientists, and serve as executive leaders guiding our strategic efforts. Twenty-two were recruited from other institutions, while three transitioned to CCRI from elsewhere within UMMC.
These additions reflect our commitment to recruiting exceptional talent, fostering collaboration and building the infrastructure required to build a cancer center worthy of NCI designation. Their arrival also underscores the confidence that leading researchers and clinicians have in UMMC’s vision for cancer care and discovery.
As we welcome new team members, I want to extend my gratitude to each of you. Your dedication to our mission — from patient care and clinical trials to science, population health and community outreach — is what makes CCRI a place where innovation thrives. The progress we are making is a direct result of your hard work and your belief in what we can achieve together.