Clinicians (in Alphabetical Order)

Thomas L. Bauer, M.D.
As a thoracic surgeon, I am interested in the use of advanced computer aided 3D imaging of the chest cavity and its organs, including the lungs, utilizing the "CAVE" at the Delaware Biotechnology Institute. I also am collaborating with biologists and genetics faculty at the University of Delaware to investigate DNA damage repair pathways and their role in augmenting cell death with chemotherapy.
Christiana Care Hospital System, HFGCC

Bruce Benge, M.D.
As a genitourinary surgical oncologist, I am interested in cancers of the bladder, prostate, urinary tract, kidney, reproductive organs and pelvis. Along with the members of the Prostate Cancer Working Group at the University of Delaware, we are working on a number of research projects that include developing new biomarkers to identify patients at high risk of disease progression and metastasis. Additionally, I am working with the Tissue Procurement Center to expand the tissue bank to assist researchers in this area in obtaining the specimens that they need to study cancer progression beyond the primary cancer site.
Christiana Care Hospital System, HFGCC

Joseph J. Bennett, M.D.
As a surgeon who specializes in oncology, I perform surgeries on solid organs such as the liver, pancreas and spleen, in addition to surgeries that resect and reconnect the pancreas, biliary and gastrointestinal tracts. Such surgery can cause both bleeding and leaking of gastrointestinal contents at raw cut surfaces and at sites of intestinal reconstruction. Infection adds to these problems. There is a significant need for better agents to reduce these potential complications. I am collaborating with biologists and with chemical engineers to develop a biologic seal that can block the raw surfaces of solid organ injury, and that can also seal intestinal anastomoses. Our goal is to also make a product that is bacteriostatic, has procoagulant properties to help stop bleeding, that can evade the immune system and enzymatic degradation, that can last long enough for surgical sites to heal, and that is practical to use in the operating room. I also am interested in new biomarkers for differentiation of non-malignant liver disease from liver cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Christiana Care Hospital System, HFGCC

Bruce M. Boman, M.D., Ph.D., Director Cancer Genetics and Stem Cell Biology
With the advent of recent and exciting new opportunities in the study of regulatory pathways, mutations, and colon carcinogenesis, I am interested in the signaling pathways, including molecular and cellular mechanisms of crypt homeostasis in the large intestine as well as the investigation of the stem cell origin of colorectal cancer (CRC). I am particularly interested in small genetic elements, called microRNAs, which are involved in the genesis of colon tumors, with the ultimate goal of identifying new therapeutic targets. MicroRNAs were discovered only a few years ago and are now known to be major genetic control elements that turn on and off gene expression. Many of these small regulators play a key role in driving normal cells to become cancerous. A second interest is in cancer stem cells, especially those of the colon. Using specific markers that recognize cancer stem cells, our laboratory can detect the presence of such cells in colon cancers and relate this to disease progression and prognosis. A third interest is in using mathematical modeling techniques to study expansion of cancer cell populations in dynamically reorganizing tissues.
Christiana Care Hospital System, HFGCC

Magdy I. Boulos, M. D.
As a neurosurgeon, I am interested in new methods to treat primary brain cancers such as glioblastoma multiforme as well as tumors that metastasize to brain such as breast cancer. I am collaborating with CTCR researchers to assist in the development of new in vitro systems for growing primary cancer cells and in developing new strategies for studying their behavior including tissue invasion. With this information, we will be able to develop new approaches to treating brain cancers alone and in combination with surgery.
Christiana Care Hospital System, HFGCC

Zohra Ali-Khan Catts, M.S., C.G.C.
As the Director of Genetic Counseling at the HFGCC, I am interested in bringing the latest research discoveries in cancer genetics to the individuals and families with a high risk of developing cancer. Working with researchers and students in the CTCR, we are developing new ways to identify genetic changes in the genes of Delaware families and to determine if these changes are associated with increased cancer risk. Such information will ensure that families have the most current information as they seek to determine what is best for their loved ones. A major effort involves the construction of the Ruth Ann Minner High Risk Family Cancer Registry which includes pedigrees from tens of thousands of individuals in the Delaware Valley. One research project presently underway studies a newly identified mutation in the DNA repair gene, BRCA2, involved in both risk of breast and prostate cancer.
Christiana Care Hospital System, HFGCC

Diana Dickson-Witmer, M.D.
As a surgical oncologist with a particular interest in improving the treatment options for women diagnosed with breast cancer, I am working with researchers in the CTCR on three exciting research projects. First, I am working to identify new biomarkers for identifying which cancer specimens, identified from biopsy, are at risk of progressing into advanced metastatic disease. Such information will allow us to know when treatment can be conservative and when it needs to be more aggressive to stop tumors from spreading. Second, I am working on a project with the Cancer Registry to identify patient families with a high genetic risk of developing cancers at a young age so that these individuals can be appropriately and regularly screened. Third, I am working to secure cancer tissues for the Tissue Procurement Center for growth in the laboratory for testing of new drugs and novel therapeutic interventions.
Christiana Care Hospital System, HFGCC

Viroon Donavanik, M.D., F.A.C.R.
As a senior radiation oncologist with special interests in prostate cancer brachytherapy, I am working with the CTCR and members of the Prostate Cancer Working Group to determine if new biomarkers can be developed to determine when seed implants of the prostate can be completely effective in reducing the risk of disease recurrence and metastases. Serum from prostate cancer patients being monitored after brachytherapy are routinely monitored for PSA, but it would be desirable to have additional markers to follow the reappearance of potential disease. Along with a group consisting of clinicians, students, researchers, and members of the local biotech community, I am working to assist translational cancer research in biomarkers development for long term patient monitoring.
Christiana Care Hospital System, HFGCC

Stephen S. Grubbs, M.D., Medical Oncology Section Chief
As the principal investigator of the Delaware Christiana Care Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP), as Cancer Prevention Committee Chair for the State of Delaware Cancer Consortium and as a member of ASCO's Cancer Research Committee, I am keenly interested in fostering translational cancer research in the State of Delaware. Linking the latest research development to clinical trials is the key to providing state-of-the-art treatment to our patients. I am working with researchers in the CTCR to develop new methods of testing anti-cancer drugs in pre-clinical settings with the aim of improving dosing and delivery, while reducing side effects. I also am interested in developing combination approaches to use new targeted therapeutics along with conventional chemotherapeutics to achieve cancer remission in patients most likely to benefit from these strategies.
Christiana Care Hospital System, HFGCC

S. Eric Martin, M.D.
As a hematologic oncologist I am interested in the genetic changes that occur in individuals with a wide variety of cancers. Some of my research has centered around constructing a physical map of a loss of heterozygosity minimal region of loss on chromosome 11 associated with breast and lung cancer and subsequently cloning a hereditary translocation in a patient with early onset breast cancer and a family history of cancer. These results suggested that this locus may exert a tumor suppressor activity and is a likely target of the loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 11. Additional research has resulted in reporting a unique germline mutation in the BRCA1 gene in an individual of Asian /Filipino ancestry with early onset breast cancer and familial breast /ovarian cancer. The characteristics of the mutation, and the patient’s loss of heterozygosity at the BRCA1 locus were reported as compatible with a mutation driven deleterious effect.
Christiana Care Hospital System, HFGCC

Nicholas Petrelli, M.D.
My research interests are in the early detection and primary and secondary prevention of colorectal cancer. This is inclusive of establishing a program where individuals from high risk cancer families can undergo genetic counseling for potential genetic testing and subsequently undergo increase surveillance, prophylactic surgery or chemopreventive therapy.
Christiana Care Hospital System, HFGCC

Adam Raben, M.D.
I am a radiation oncologist at HFGCC. My interests include development of image guided radiotherapy (IGRT) and Adaptive IGRT at CCHS, the development of translational research program for Head and Neck, Lung and Colorectal cancer and development of high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for prostate cancer.
Christiana Care Hospital System, HFGCC

Charles J. Schneider, M.D.
As a medical oncologist, I participate as a clinical investigator in trials offered through CALGB, NSABP, RTOG, ECOG, the Hoosier Oncology Group, Christiana Care, and our Pharmaceutical Trials Division. I am a member of the head and neck treatment development committee for the Hoosier Oncology Group, and I serve as the Principal Investigator for Christiana Care for the Fox Chase Prevention Trial CCOP.
Christiana Care Hospital System, HFGCC

Robert L Witt, M.D., FACS
I am a surgeon who specializes in head and neck oncology; tumors of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, para-nasal sinuses, thyroid and salivary glands. Advanced cancers often require combined multi-modality therapy that can include minimally invasive to radical surgery. One of the consequences of multi-modality treatment is xerostomia (dryness) particularly from radiation therapy. Patients often suffer poor quality of life because of xerostomia. There is a significant need for the treatment of xerostomia. Present medications are only partially successful and come with side effects. Tissue engineering to develop new salivary tissue is a promising area of research. I also am participating in a research project to assist with vocal cord regeneration. This research includes biologists, materials engineers, and clinical surgeons.
Christiana Care Hospital System, HFGCC