CURRENT LAB TEAM

Kosj Yamoah, MD, PhD

Dr. Kosj Yamoah is a board-certified radiation oncologist and physician scientist, who is committed to unraveling and mitigating the cancer health disparities that impact clinical care. Leading as Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology and holding a secondary appointment in the Cancer Epidemiology Program, Dr. Yamoah embodies a wealth of relevant expertise. He directs a global laboratory dedicated to pioneering translational research, with an emphasis on uncovering gene-specific factors that drive aggressive disease and contribute to poor survival outcomes among men of African origin with prostate cancer. A native of Ghana, he earned his medical degree from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York and his PhD in Oncological Science from Mount Sinai Graduate School of Biological Sciences and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Beyond his significant contributions to the field, Dr. Yamoah finds joy in his free time through playing and watching soccer, and the artistry of music and music creation. 

Esther Katende, BS

Esther is a Research Study Manager skillfully overseeing the dry lab operations of the Yamoah research lab. Born in Michigan but raised in Kampala, Uganda, where much of her family originates, Esther brings a unique and diverse perspective to our team. She graduated with distinction, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Neuroscience & Behavior from the Florida Atlantic University and is currently expanding her expertise by pursuing a Master of Public Health degree at the University of South Florida, concentrating in Global Communicable Disease and obtaining a certificate in Epidemiology. With over seven years of research experience, Esther has honed her skills in project management and project coordination, making her an invaluable asset to our lab. Her aspirations extend beyond academic and professional pursuits. She harbors a deep desire to give back to her community in Uganda, through leveraging the knowledge gained from her endeavors in cancer research. Outside of her professional environment, her free time is a vibrant canvas of time spent with family and friends, traveling, artistic expression through drawing, culinary adventures in cooking, and an affinity for all things outdoors and adventurous. From thrilling outdoor activities to embracing various interests, Esther embodies a dynamic spirit that complements her dedication to advancing cancer research and making a positive impact in her community.

Amparo Serna, BS

Amparo Serna is a Research Project Specialist spearheading all the wet lab operations of the Yamoah research lab. Born in Columbia, her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Her expertise has taken her on a global adventure including a transformative five-year stint in Italy, conducting research on Leukemia. Subsequently, she made her mark in Philadelphia, contributing to Immunology research at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, and later in Michigan, returning to the world of Leukemia research at the University of Michigan. Amparo has been with the Yamoah research lab for about seven years and loves what she does. Driven by an unwavering passion for cancer research, Amparo is an integral part of our research lab. In her free time, she indulges in her love for dance, music, fitness, boating, fishing, and showcasing a unique skill set with her interest in archery. Fluent in three languages—Spanish, Italian, and English—Amparo represents a multicultural perspective. She enjoys traveling and attending sports events, especially football – GO BLUE and Go Gators!

Purvish Trivedi, BDS, MPH

 Purvish is a Research Data Analyst working within the Yamoah research lab. Originally hailing from India, Purvish embarked on his academic journey there, culminating in a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Surgery. Seeking further expertise, he ventured to Chicago, where he attended Northern Illinois University, earning a Master of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Health Promotion. To date, he is working towards starting a PhD in Epidemiology at the University of South Florida. Within the lab, Purvish oversees analyses of our complex research datasets. Using statistical analysis tools, he skillfully crafts tables and figures, shaping them into crucial components of our research manuscripts. His interests extend into the realms of Pharmacoepidemiology and Health Service research, as he actively explores ways to address disparities in access to health services among diverse population groups. Away from the data-driven world, Purvish finds balance in working out at the gym, playing cricket, and listening to Indian Bollywood songs. 

Riley Smith, MPH, CPH

 Riley is a Research Coordinator within the Yamoah research lab. Originally from Powhatan, Virginia, Riley has called Bradenton, Florida home since 2016. Her academic journey has been marked by recent achievements, including her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, with a minor in Public Health, from the University of South Florida. She completed a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Behavioral Health, at the same institution. Riley’s association with our lab has deep roots, starting as an intern when she was in high school. In her current position, she plays a pivotal role in patient recruitment and enrollment, as well as data management and abstraction. One of the things Riley finds most rewarding about her work is the collaborative spirit of the lab team and the continuous opportunity for learning and growth. Looking ahead, she envisions completing her master's program and expanding her knowledge of health disparities, particularly in relation to prostate cancer. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as going to concerts. Riley not only contributes to the success of our lab but embraces a spirit of continuous learning and a commitment to making a positive impact on health disparities in the future. 

Ryan Putney, MA

Ryan is a Research Data Analyst embedded within the Yamoah research lab. He is originally from Tampa, Florida and has lived here for most of his life. He attended the University of South Florida where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Music. He then relocated to New Jersey where he lived for about seven years and attended Montclair State University, earning a Master of Arts in Music Performance. He returned to Tampa shortly after and began interning at Moffitt Cancer Center, while simultaneously getting a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of South Florida. His research efforts within the Yamoah research lab include, bioinformatics, analysis of gene expression and methylation, as well as creating figures for our different publications. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of South Florida. Ryan is an avid railfan, both life-sized trains and scale models, and he enjoys cooking!

Yahya Bondokji, BS,BA, RBT

Yahya is an research associate within the Yamoah research lab. He is currently working with the wet lab team doing bench-top research but has experience working on data abstraction and database maintenance. Prior to joining the lab team at Moffitt, he held a position as a Research Assistant for a "Vison, Attention, and Cognition" lab for 2 years. Hailing originally from Syria and raised in Saudi Arabia, Yahya has completed a dual degree path at the University of South Florida, and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Sciences, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He is also minored in Public Health at the same institution and a member of the Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity. He is also a certified and registered Behavioral Health Technician. Yahya is looking to apply to medical school in the coming year and continue his aspiration of becoming a physician. When Yahya is not occupied with his professional and academic endeavors, he enjoys morning bike rides, playing soccer, and reading during his leisure time.

FEATURED MOFFITT COLLABORATORS

Jong Y. Park, MPH, PhD

Dr. Park is a distinguished senior faculty member of the Cancer Epidemiology Program. He grew up in South Korea where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Yonsei University. Driven by a quest for knowledge, he furthered his education with a Master of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of South Florida His academic pursuits led him to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he achieved both a Master of Public Health and PhD degrees in International Studies and Epidemiology. With a rich academic background, Dr. Park has established himself as a formidable researcher, with a particular focus on biomarkers for prostate cancer and the intricate health disparity factors affecting African American men with prostate cancer. Some of Dr. Park’s hobbies include watching sports and traveling and singing in the choir at his church! (used to be a conductor for his church choir).

Link to Park Lab web page: click here

Paulo Rodriguez, PhD

Dr. Rodriguez is a distinguished senior faculty member and research chair of the department of Immunology. He obtained his graduate degree from CCBB-University of Antioquia and completed his PhD in Genetics from Louisiana State University. His research programs focus on the suppressive effects induced by tumor-infiltrating myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid precursors that are primary mediators of tumor-induced anergy and a major obstacle for the development of successful cancer immunotherapies.

Clement Gwede, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN

Dr. Gwede is an expert in the field of Cancer disparities and behavioral research and Cancer Chemoprevention studies. He obtained his graduate education and training from the University of South Florida, concentrating in Health Education and Behavior. He is an MPI on the D43 Ghana GRACE program, in collaboration with Drs. Kosj Yamoah, Joel Yarney, and Alfred Yawson. His research interests include reducing cancer disparities through community-based interventions to promote informed decision making and early detection for prostate and colorectal cancer; increasing participation of racial-ethnic minorities in clinical research; and symptom management interventions to improve quality of life during and after cancer treatment.

Anna Giuliano, PhD

Dr. Giuliano is an expert in the field of Cancer research and the founding director of the Center for Immunization and Infection Research in Cancer (CIIRC) at the Moffitt Cancer Center. Her work has contributed significantly to our understanding of the rate at which HPV infections are acquired and cleared, the proportion that progress to disease, and also to HPV vaccine protection against multiple diseases in women and men. She obtained her graduate and doctoral education from Tufts University, School of Nutrition in Nutrition and Nutritional Biochemistry. She is a former MPI on the D43 Ghana GRACE program, in collaboration with Drs. Kosj Yamoah, Joel Yarney, and Alfred Yawson.  

OTHER LAB-INVOLVED TEAM MEMBERS

Z'Kera Peoples, MPH

Z’Kera Peoples is a Program Manager for the Ghana integRative Approach to Cancer rEsearch (GRACE) program, where she oversees program implementation, cross-institutional communications, and strategic development to advance innovative cancer research efforts between Moffitt Cancer Center, the University of Ghana, and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Z’Kera remains deeply committed to eliminating cancer health disparities and addressing the disproportionate impact of cancer on underserved communities globally. Her work focuses on strengthening research ecosystems in low-resource settings by galvanizing research education and training infrastructures that empower underrepresented clinicians and scientists. She is passionate about increasing access to the tools, training, and support systems needed to conduct impactful research with longitudinal benefits. Z’Kera brings a strong systems-level perspective to her work, ensuring collaboration and team-science approaches remain central to creating and sustaining multi-institutional cancer research education training programs. She is driven by the belief that expanding opportunities for culturally diverse researchers is essential to improving cancer outcomes and addressing the global burden of cancer. Outside of Moffitt, Z’Kera is an avid fitness instructor. Her favorite fitness modality to teach is her dance fitness class that combines Afrocentric music and body movement that is inclusive for all ages and abilities. Her favorite hobbies include traveling and exploring new cultures through food. She calls Tampa Bay home along with her husband, Marvin, and two daughters.

Janis De La Iglesia, PhD

Dr. De La Iglesia is an esteemed member of the Radiation Oncology program. As the Translational Research Manager for the department, she holds a plethora of experience and knowledge in the areas of cell biology, immunology, immunohistochemistry, and histology. Originally hailing from Spain, Janis attended the Universidad de Salamanca, where she obtained her extensive background in biology studies. She joined Moffitt back in 2019, where she dedicated much of her expertise to a managerial position in the institution’s Pathology Department. Now in her current role, she greatly supports the translational research efforts of all principal investigators in the Radiation Oncology department and assists the Yamoah research lab as needed.

Rheese McNab, MPH, CPH

Rheese is a research coordinator supporting the Radiation Oncology Translational Research Program. She champions the recruitment/enrollment efforts for various nontherapeutic research studies within the department and manages several research databases. She is originally from the island of Roatan (just off the northern coast of Honduras), but has embraced Tampa, Florida as her home for the past seven years. She attended the University of Tampa, obtaining a B.S degree in Public Health with a focus in Public Policy & Social change and a minor in international studies. She then attended a graduate program at the University of South Florida, College of Public Health and now holds a Master of Public Health in Global Health Practice, accompanied by a certificate in Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases. She is passionate about a range of topics, including global health disparities, public health policy, cancer research and prevention, social marketing in public health, neuromarketing research, and international development. In the future, she hopes to work within the international sector of public health practice, to positively impact and improve the health and well-being of underserved populations worldwide. Her hobbies include trying out new restaurants, going to the beach with friends, and watching movies and TV shows.

Marian Hernandez, BS, BA

Marian is a research coordinator supporting the Radiation Oncology Translational Research Program. In her role, she is responsible for overseeing coordination efforts for various radiation oncology protocols and aiding in their recruitment. She moved to the United States from Cuba at the age of ten and later obtain B.S in Psychology and B.A in Women's Studies from the University of Florida where she also completed an honors thesis investigating the impact of culture and tradition on the experiences of Queer Latinx individuals. She simultaneously obtained minors in Disabilities in Society and Classical Studies and a certificate in Spanish for the professions. Following graduation, she worked as a research coordinator for a clinical psychology lab at the University of Florida leading projects on body image, metabolic health, and internalized stigma related to several health conditions. She then moved to San Diego, CA to start the pursuit of an MA in Psychology and work in a cancer health disparities lab. Here she also gained experience working as a patient navigator on a suicide prevention trial and is currently in the final stages of data analysis for her master's thesis, working with this same project.
Following completion of her MA, she hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Behavioral Oncology. Her goal is to further our knowledge on the impact of intersecting identities on health outcomes for minoritized communities and improving such experiences through clinical practice and representative research methods. In her free time, she enjoys spoiling her cats, travelling with friends, enjoying time with family, and read novels - her favorites being in Spanish. 

INTERNS

Chigo Anunobi, BS

Chigo Anunobi is a dry lab intern within the Yamoah Research lab who completes data abstractions and database maintenance. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences at the University of South Florida and plans to attend graduate school to continue advancing his medical education. He also holds a radiology technician role at Moffitt Cancer Center. Outside of academics, Chigo enjoys running, weightlifting, and playing basketball.

Ruchir Bondada

Sairuchir Bondada is an intern within the Yamoah research lab. He is currently working with the dry lab research team, doing data abstractions and database maintenance. Prior to joining the lab team, he held a position as a research intern for the Chahoud research lab at Moffitt, completing similar abstractions for kidney and lymph node carcinoma for 1 year. Sairuchir currently works as a Medical Assistant at a spine and pain management clinic. Hailing originally from India and growing up in Maryland, Sairuchir is pursuing a dual-degree path at the University of South Florida, working towards a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He is also minoring in Healthcare Management at the same institution and a member of the Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity. Sairuchir is a part of the accelerated B.S./M.D. Program at the University of South Florida and plans to matriculate to the Morsani College of Medicine to continue his aspiration to become a physician. When Sairuchir is not occupied with his professional and academic endeavors, he enjoys playing basketball and football, cooking, and watching movies in his leisure time. 

PAST TEAM MEMBERS

Angelina Fink, MPH, CCRP

Amanda DeRenzis, MPH

Asmaa Elkenawi, PhD

Shivanshu Awasthi, PharmD, PhD

Min Hsuan Wang, MS