Advisory Boards

The Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (CFCCC) brings together the expertise of external advisors who are leaders and content experts in their respective scientific, business and lay communities. Together, these boards guide the Cancer Center on their mission and vision.

The EAB serves a key role in the CFCCC’s planning and evaluation of its three cancer research programs, shared resources and supporting research infrastructure. The EAB reviews the overall strategy and progress and makes specific recommendations to the CFCCC director to improve our goals under our mission.

  • Louis Weiner, MD (Chair): Director, Professor and Chair, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Samueli Achilefu, PhD: Professor, Department of Radiology, Chair, Biomedical Engineering, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Roshan Bastani, PhD: Director, Community Engagement, Co-Director, Prevention and Control Research, University of California Los Angeles, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Michael Birrer, MD, PhD: Director, Cancer Service Line, University of Arkansas for Medical Science, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
  • John Bushweller, PhD: Program Leader, Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Christopher Flowers, MD, MS:  Division Head, Cancer Medicine, Chair, Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • Kit Lam, MD, PhD: Program Leader, Cancer Therapeutics, University of California, Davis, Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Primo “Lucky” Lara, MD: Director, Executive Associate Dean, Cancer Programs, University of California, Davis, Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • John Pounardjian, MBA: Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, Deputy Director for Administration and Planning, Rutgers University, Rutgers Cancer Institute
  • Amelie Ramirez, DrPH, MPH: Associate Director, Community Outreach and Engagement, UT San Antonio, Mays Cancer Center
  • Kevan Shokat, PhD: Professor, Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Department of Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, Helen Diller Family CCC
  • Cheryl Wilman, MD: Director, Stephen and Barbara Slaggie Executive Director, Mayo Clinic Cancer Programs, Mayo Clinic, Comprehensive Cancer Center

The CAB, established in 2019, comprises advocates from the diverse ethnicities and professions in Southern California. Members include representatives of community-based organizations, academic institutions, and cancer survivors. If you would like to join our CAB, please visit our Community page to learn more about our initiatives.

  • Gabriela Robles, MBA (Chair): Chief Executive, St. Joseph Providence Community Partnership Fund
  • Karen Alvarez, MPH: Associate Director, Cancer Center Partnership, American Cancer Society
  • Daniel “Stony” Anderson, MD: President, California Colorectal Cancer Coalition
  • Isabel Becerra: Executive Director, Coalition of Community Health Centers Orange County
  • Michelle Burroughs, DHA: Deputy Director, Center for Healthy Communities, UC Riverside
  • Regina Chinsio-Kwong, DO, CMO: County Health Officer, Orange County Health Care Agency
  • Susan Choi: Senior Manager, Engagement and Enrollment, AAPI, Be the Match
  • Charlene Kazner: Board Secretary, Pacific Islander Health Partnership
  • Maria Matza, PhD, RNC: Associate Professor, CSU Fullerton, Vice President, National Association of Hispanic Nurses Orange County
  • Becky Nguyen, MPH: Executive Director, Vietnamese American Cancer Foundation
  • Robin Walker: Executive Director, Susan G. Komen Orange County