Scientific Advisory Committee
A Breath of Hope Lung Cancer Foundation is committed to advancing the science that will save lives. Our Research Program invests in high impact lung cancer research through competitive grants designed to advance discoveries and improve patient outcomes. A national committee of leading lung cancer experts reviews and scores each proposal, helping ensure the highest scientific standards guide our research investments.
Our grants primarily support early career investigators, including scientists and clinicians within their first 10 years of practice. By investing in promising researchers and foundational, basic science at the beginning of the research pipeline, we help generate the discoveries that can lead to better treatments and long term progress for patients. These awards also help investigators build their research programs, secure future funding, and continue their careers in lung cancer research.
Our Scientific Advisory Committee works alongside local Research Chairs to provide rigorous and transparent oversight of the Research Program. Together, they help identify promising science, guide research investments, and champion innovative work that moves lung cancer research forward.
Co-Chairs
Joe Leach, MD, Allina Health Cancer Institute
Manish Patel, D.O., University of Minnesota Medical School
Advisors
Aaron Lisberg, MD, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Abbie Begnaud, MD, University of Iowa
Aditi Singh, MD, MPH, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System
Amit Bhargava, MD, MHA, FACS, University of Minnesota Medical Center
Apar Ganti, MD, MS, Omaha VA Medical Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Arkadiusz Z Dudek, MD PhD, Mayo Clinic
Jaime Schneider, M.D. Ph.D., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
John Nitiss, PhD, Retzky College of Pharmacy, UIC
Kostas Leventakos, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic
Luis Raez, MD FASCO FACP, Memorial Cancer Institute, Florida International University
Mary Jo Fidler, MD, Rush University Medical Center
Ramaswamy Govindan, MD, Washington University of Medicine
Robert Kratzke, MD, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center
Tassos Dimou, MD, Mayo Clinic
Tim Larson, MD, HealthPartners Park Nicollet
Yan Ji, MD, PhD, HealthPartners Regions Hospital