I see approximately 600 patients annually and have been caring for people with thoracic cancers for the past 15 years. I have expertise in the diagnostic workup needed for the early diagnosis and accurate staging of thoracic cancers, using endoscopic methods such as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), robotic bronchoscopy, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).
When newly diagnosed patients and their family members first meet me in the clinic, they are anxious and can be overwhelmed by finding a treatment that will give them the best results and prevent the cancer from coming back. I take the time to explain the key factors that are driving the disease, possible treatment options, the risks and benefits, and the expected short-term and long-term outcomes.
Understanding their anxiety, I meet with patients again to answer their questions before finalizing their care plan. I want them to feel reassured that every possible therapy is being considered and that we are also focused on their quality of life. Not only should they feel confident in their care but they should also be assured they will be treated as a whole person — someone with a family, a job, and a desire not to be defined by their cancer diagnosis.
I work closely with thoracic pathologists, interventional radiologists, and pulmonologists to build a personalized treatment plan for each patient. My highly experienced clinical team, which includes a thoracic nurse and a nurse practitioner, works with me to deliver not only excellent care but also to provide personal attention to the needs of our patients and their family members using all available MSK resources.
As a surgeon-scientist, I have the unique perspective of treating patients in person and studying cancer in the lab. My research focuses on the development of biomarkers for detection of high-risk cancer and gene therapies, such as immunotherapy (enhancing patients’ own immune systems using genetic and cell engineering) and oncolytic viral therapy (killing cancer cells using genetically engineered viruses). I am working with my colleagues in medical and radiation oncology to integrate these therapies to help improve outcomes and preserve quality of life.
My laboratory has led many discoveries about early-stage lung cancer and mesothelioma, and we have successfully translated these findings to benefit patients. At their annual follow-up appointments after surgery, I make sure my patients are aware of these and other important developments that may help them.
Our immunotherapy research has been translated into clinical trials for patients with mesothelioma, lung cancer, and esophageal cancer (protocols 15-007, 16-040 and 20-328). This work is supported by the National Cancer Institute, the Department of Defense, the American Association for Cancer Research, the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, and several other foundations.
I am also privileged to mentor surgical trainees and research fellows. The high caliber of their training is reflected in their presentations at national and international conferences and submissions to peer-reviewed publications.
In my spare time, I love to write and have published several satirical science fiction articles. I also enjoy cooking for my family and children and traveling internationally, especially visiting friends in rural areas of Europe.
