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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Lurie Cancer Center Announces New Leadership Appointments

Lurie Cancer Center is pleased to announce a new group of leadership appointments supported by the NCI Cancer Center Support Grant, following the center’s recent NCI renewal and Exceptional rating—the highest distinction awarded by the National Cancer Institute.

“These appointments reflect the depth of talent and leadership across our cancer center,” said Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD, director of the Lurie Cancer Center. “The remarkable strengths and expertise of each individual will enhance our efforts in research, education, and clinical care, and I look forward to working with them in these important roles.”

The newly appointed leaders are:

Mahalingam Devalingam Mahalingam, MD, has been appointed Associate Director for Clinical Research.  This role is central to advancing the integration, quality, and impact of clinical trials across the cancer center and its disease-focused programs. We would like to thank the previous Associate Director for Clinical Research, Jochen Lorch, MD, for his service and significant contributions in this important role.
Mendillo Marc Mendillo, PhD, has been appointed Associate Director for Education. This position supports the training and development of the next generation of cancer researchers and clinicians, a core expectation of NCI-designated cancer centers. We would like to thank Marcelo Bonini, PhD, the previous Associate Director for Education, for his outstanding contributions in this role. Dr. Bonini has accepted a position as Department Chair at Moffitt Cancer Center.
Karmali Reem Karmali, MD, MS, has been appointed Medical Director of the Clinical Trials Office (CTO) of the Lurie Cancer Center, succeeding Devalingam Mahalingam, MD, who will assume the role of Associate Director for Clinical Research. Strong leadership of the CTO is essential to ensuring efficient trial activation, high-quality conduct, and patient access to innovative therapies.
Pollack Seth Pollack, MD, has been appointed co-leader of the Translational Research in Malignancies (TRIM) program, joining current co-leaders Roger Stupp, MD, and Lucy Godley, MD, PhD. Program leadership is critical to fostering high-impact translational science and strengthening collaboration across basic, translational, and clinical research. We would like to thank Daniela Matei, MD, for her remarkable contributions in the leadership of this program.
Phillips Siobhan Phillips, PhD, MPH, has been appointed co-leader of the Cancer Control & Survivorship (CCS) program, joining current co-leaders Christine Rini, PhD, and Betina Yanez, PhD, who will continue in their roles. Leadership in cancer control and survivorship supports population-level impact, health equity, and the long-term outcomes of patients beyond active treatment.