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PHSU-MCC Partnership Directory

Program Steering Committee

Name Title Email
Carlos Casiano, PhD* Professor and Associate Director 
Center for Health Disparities Research and Molecular Medicine
Loma Linda University
ccasiano@llu.edu
Philip Howe, PhD Professor and Chair
Department of Biochemistry
Medical University of South Carolina
howep@musc.edu
Carlos Isales, MD Associate Director
Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics
Medical College of Georgia
cisales@augusta.edu
Danny R. Welch, PhD Professor and Associate Director of Education
University of Kansas Cancer Center
dwelch@kumc.edu
Elad Ziv, MD Professor
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
elad.ziv@ucsf.edu

*Chair, Program Steering Committee

NCI Project Staff

Name Title Email
H. Nelson Aguila, DVM Integrated Networks Branch
Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities
National Cancer Institute
aguilah@nih.gov
Sandra L. San Miguel, MS Integrated Networks Branch
Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities
National Cancer Institute
sandra.sanmiguel@nih.gov

 

Administrative Core 

Name Role Institution Phone Email
Jaime Matta, PhD Contact Principal Investigator PHSU 787.259.7025 jmatta@psm.edu
Kenneth L. Wright, PhD Contact Principal Investigator MCC 813.745.3918 ken.wright@moffitt.org
Julie Dutil, PhD Principal Investigator PHSU 787.840.2575 x2218 jdutil@psm.edu
Alvaro Monteiro, PhD Principal Investigator MCC 813.745.6321 alvaro.monteiro@moffitt.org
W. Douglas Cress, PhD Co-Investigator MCC 813.745.6703 douglas.cress@moffitt.org
Harold Saavedra, PhD Co-Investigator PHSU 787.840.2575 x2205 hsaavedra@psm.edu
Hannia Delgado Program Manager PHSU 787.259.7018 hdelgado@psm.edu
Sabrina M. Rodríguez Program Manager MCC 813.745.6565 sabrina.rodriguez@moffitt.org

 

Planning & Evaluation Core

Name Role Institution Phone Email
Clement Gwede, PhD, MPH, RN Co-Leader MCC 813.745.3052 clement.gwede@moffitt.org
Harold Saavedra, PhD Co-Leader PHSU 787.840.2575 x2205 hsaavedra@psm.edu
Jaime Matta, PhD Co-Investigator PHSU 787.259.7025 jmatta@psm.edu
Kenneth L. Wright, PhD Co-Investigator MCC 813.745.3918 ken.wright@moffitt.org
Simon Carlo, PhD Member, Internal Advisory Committee PHSU N/A simoncarlo3@yahoo.com
Brian Czerniecki, MD Member, Internal Advisory Committee MCC 813.745.7569 brian.czerniecki@moffitt.org
Hannia Delgado Program Manager PHSU 787.259.7018 hdelgado@psm.edu
Martin Hill, PhD Member, Internal Advisory Committee PHSU 787.840.2575 x2199 mhill@psdm.edu
Conor Lynch, PhD Member, Internal Advisory Committee MCC 813.745.8094 conor.lynch@moffitt.org
Vani Nath Simmons, PhD Chair, Internal Advisory Committee MCC 813.745.4816 vani.simmons@moffitt.org
James Porter, PhD Chair, Internal Advisory Committee PHSU 787.840.2575 x2251 jporter@psm.edu
Hannia Delgado Program Manager PHSU 787.259.7018 hdelgado@psm.edu
Natalia Martinez-Torres Program Coordinator PHSU 787.840.2575 x4748 namartinez@psm.edu
Sabrina M. Rodríguez Program Manager MCC 813.745.6565 sabrina.rodriguez@moffitt.org

 

Research Education Core

Name Role Institution Phone Email
Caroline Appleyard, PhD Co-Leader PHSU 787.840.2575 x2165 cappleyard@psm.edu
Kenneth L. Wright, PhD Co-Leader MCC 813.745.3918 ken.wright@moffitt.org
Melissa Alsina, MD Co-Investigator MCC 813.745.6703 melissa.alsina@moffitt.org
W. Douglass Cress, PhD Co-Investigator MCC 813.745.7202 douglas.cress@moffitt.org
Julian Sanchez, MD Co-Investigator MCC 813.745.5986 julian.sanchez@moffitt.org
Pedro Santiago, PhD Co-Investigator PHSU 787.840.2575 x2208 psantiago@psm.edu
Laura Domenech, MD Co-Investigator PHSU 787.840.2575 x4740 ldomenech@psm.edu
Michael Jaglal, MD Co-Investigator MCC 813.745.4771 michael.jaglal@moffitt.org
Susan Vadaparampil, PhD Co-Investigator MCC 813.745.1997 susan.vadaparampil@moffitt.org
Hector Vélez, MD Co-Investigator PHSU 787.840.2575 x2591 hvelez@ad-vanceresearch.com
Natalia Martinez-Torres Program Coordinator PHSU 787.840.2575 x4748  namartinez@psm.edu
Yairí Rivera-Torgerson Program Coordinator MCC 813.745.2682 yairi.rivera-torgerson@moffitt.org

 

Outreach Core

Name Role Institution Phone Email
Julio Jimenez, MD Co-Leader PHSU 787.840.2575 x2291 jcjimenez@psm.edu
Susan Vadaparampil, PhD Co-Leader MCC 813.745.1997 susan.vadaparampil@moffitt.org
Eida Castro, PsyD Co-Investigator PHSU 787.840.2575 x2616 ecastro@psm.edu
Shannon Christy, PhD Co-Investigator MCC 813.745.8840 shannon.christy@moffitt.org
Melissa Marzán, PhD Co-Investigator PHSU 787.840.2575 x5967 mmarzan@psm.edu
Lynette Ruiz, PhD Co-Investigator PHSU 787.840.2575 x2236 lruiz@psm.edu
Jennifer Garcia Program Coordinator MCC 813.745.1052 jennifer.d.garcia@moffitt.org
Brenda Ramos Gonzalez, MPHE Community Health Educator PHSU 787.840.2575 x5567 bramos@psm.edu
Gina Sanchez, MHA Research Assistant PHSU 787.840.2575 x5567 gsanchez@psm.edu
Arline Vela Vidal Program Coordinator PHSU 787.840.2575 x2567 avela@psm.edu

 

Shared Resources ~ Puerto Rico BioBank

Name Role Institution Phone Email
W. Douglas Cress, PhD Co-Leader MCC 813.745.6703 douglas.cress@moffitt.org
Idhaliz Flores, PhD Co-Leader PHSU 787.840.2575 x2206 iflores@psm.edu
Sonia Abac, RN Research Nurse PHSU 787.840.2575 x4224 sabac@psm.edu
Allison Bahr, BS Research Associate MCC 813.745.0002 allison.robertson@moffitt.org
Edna Gordián, MS Data Concierge MCC 813.745.6364 edna.gordian@moffitt.org
José Oliveras, MD Data Concierge PHSU 787.840.2575 x2275 joliveras@psm.edu
Moraima Oquendo Program Coordinator PHSU 787.840.2575 x4224 moquendo@psm.edu
Yairí Rivera-Torgerson Program Coordinator MCC 813.745.2682 yairi.rivera-torgerson@moffitt.org
Zindie Rodríguez, MD Pathology Assistant PHSU 787.840.2575 x4224 zrodriguez@psm.edu
María Rojas, PharmD Lab Coordinator PHSU 787.840.2575 x4224 mrojas@psm.edu
Marilin Rosa, MD Pathologist MCC 813.745.2846 marilin.rosa@moffitt.org
Edward Seijo Staff Scientist MCC 813.745.4264 edward.seijo@moffitt.org

 

Shared Resources ~ Quantitative Sciences Core

Name Role Institution Phone Email
Julie Dutil, PhD Co-Leader PHSU 787.840.2575 x2218 jdutil@psm.edu
Steven Eschrich, PhD Co-Leader MCC 813.745.1303 steven.eschrich@moffitt.org
Anders Berglund, PhD Bioinformatician  MCC 813.745.6947 anders.berglund@moffitt.org
Dung-Tsa Chen, PhD Biostatistician MCC 813.745.1327 dung-tsa.chen@moffitt.org
Naomi Brownstein, PhD Biostatistician MCC 813.745.8757 naomi.brownstein@moffitt.org
Rodrigo Carvajal Informatician MCC 813.745.6439 rodrigo.carvajal@moffitt.org
Edna Gordián Data Concierge MCC 813.745.6364 edna.gordian@moffitt.org
Iris Martinez, DrPH Biostatistician PHSU 787.840.2575 x5695 imartinez@psm.edu
José Oliveras, MD Clinical Data Abstractor and Data Concierge  PHSU 787.840.2575 x2275 joliveras@psm.edu
Steve Sutton, PhD Biostatistician MCC 813.745.6524 steve.sutton@moffitt.org
Jamie Teer, PhD Bioinformatician MCC 813.745.2650 jamie.teer@moffitt.org
Wandaliz Torres-Garcia, PhD Bioinformatician UPR   wandaliz.torres@upr.edu
Martha Báez Program Coordinator PHSU 787.840.2575 x2214 mbaez@psm.edu
Yairí Rivera-Torgerson Program Coordinator MCC 813.745.2682 yairi.rivera-torgerson@moffitt.org

 

Y09-Y10 Pilot Research Project 1: Evaluation of gene expression signatures predictive of disease aggressiveness and chemoresistance in Puerto Rican men with prostate cancer

Name Role Institution Phone Email
Carlos Diaz-Osterman, PhD  Co-Leader PHSU  787.840.2575 x2210 cjdiaz@psm.edu
Kosj Yamoah, PhD Co-Leader MCC  813.745.4257 kosj.yamoah@moffitt.org

 

​Y09-Y10 Pilot Research Project 2: Adaptation of an HPV education resource to promote HPV vaccination among unvaccinated Spanish language-preferring YLMSM in Puerto Rico and Florida

Name Role Institution Phone Email
Shannon Christy, PhD Co-Leader MCC 813.745.8840  shannon.christy@moffitt.org
Melissa Marzan-Rodriguez, PhD  Co-Leader PHSU   mmarzan@psm.edu 

 

Y09-Y10 Pilot Research Project 3: The epigenetic predictors of aggressive prostate cancer in Puerto Rican men

Name Role Institution Phone Email
Jong Park, PhD  Co-Leader MCC 813.745.1703 jong.park@moffitt.org 
Gilberto Ruiz-Deya, PhD  Co-Leader PHSU 787.840.2575 x3226 gruizdeya@gmail.com 
Anders Berglund, PhD Co-Investigator MCC 813.745.6947  anders.berglund@moffitt.org 
Jaime Matta, PhD Co-Investigator PHSU 787.259.7025 jmatta@psm.edu 

 

Y09-Y10 Pilot Research Project 4: Stress-related signal transduction in ovarian cancer

Name Role Institution Phone Email
Guillermo Armaiz-Pena, PhD Co-Leader PHSU 787.840.2575 x3226 garmaiz@psm.edu 
Alvaro Monteiro, PhD Co-Leader MCC 813.745.6321  alvaro.monteiro@moffitt.org 

 

Y10 Developmental Research Project 1: Influence of biobehavioral factors on inflammatory responses in ovarian cancer

Name Role Institution Phone Email
Guillermo Armaiz-Pena, PhD  Co-Leader PHSU 787.840.2575 x3226 garmaiz@psm.edu 
Shelley Tworoger, PhD Co-Leader MCC 813.745.3862  shelley.tworoger@moffitt.org

 

Y10 Developmental Research Project 2: Epigenetic variations associated with aggressiveness and drug resistance in prostate cancer among Puerto Rican men

Name Role Institution Phone Email
Carlos Diaz-Osterman, PhD  Co-Leader PHSU 787.840.2575 x2210 cjdiaz@psm.edu
Jong Park, PhD Co-Leader MCC 813.745.1703 jong.park@moffitt.org 
Gilberto Ruiz-Deya, PhD Co-Leader PHSU 787.840.2575 x3226 gruizdeya@gmail.com 
Kosj Yamoah, PhD Co-Leader MCC 813.745.4257 kosj.yamoah@moffitt.org

 

Y10 Developmental Research Project 3: Effectiveness of an Intervention to Foster Cervical Cancer Screening Promotion for Latinx Trans Men Among Medical Students

Name Role Institution Phone Email
Alixida Ramos-Piberus, PhD  Co-Leader PHSU 787.840.2575 x5505 aliramos@psm.edu
Matthew Schabath, PhD Co-Leader MCC  813.745.4150 matthew.schabath@moffitt.org 

 

Y10 Developmental Research Project 4: Developing and Testing a Spanish-Language Intervention to Reduce Cancer-Related Insomnia

Name Role Institution Phone Email
Brian González, PhD Co-Leader MCC 813.745.3219 brian.gonzalez@moffitt.org
Jennifer Morales-Cruz, PhD Co-Leader PHSU 787.840.2575 x5569 jmorales@psm.edu

 

Early Stage Investigators (ESI)/Post-doctoral Trainees

Name Role Institution Phone Email
Guillermo Armaiz-Pena, PhD ESI PHSU 787.840.2575 x3226 garmaiz@psm.edu
Estrella Carballido, MD ESI MCC 813.745.8459 estrella.carballido@moffitt.org
Claudia Colon, PhD Postdoctoral Trainee PHSU 787.840.2575 ccolon13@stu.psm.edu
Carlos Díaz Osterman, PhD ESI PHSU 787.840.2575 x2210 cjdiaz@psm.edu
Brian González, PhD ESI MCC 813.745.3219 brian.gonzalez@moffitt.org
Jennifer Morales-Cruz, PhD ESI PHSU 787.840.2575 x5569 jmorales@psm.edu
Bruna Pellini, MD ESI MCC 813.745.1325 bruna.pellini@moffitt.org
Lauren Peres, PhD ESI MCC 813.745.4971 lauren.peres@moffitt.org
Jaileene Pérez-Morales, PhD Pre-doc/Post-doctoral Fellow PHSU 813.745.5917 jaileene.perezmorales@moffitt.org
Alixida Ramos, PhD ESI PHSU 787.840.2575 x5505 aramos@psm.edu
Lynette Ruiz, PhD New Investigator PHSU 787.840.2575 x2236 lruiz@psm.edu
Brenda Soto, PhD New Investigator PHSU 787.840.2575 x2246 bsoto@psm.edu