On Jan. 10, UF Health Cancer Center faculty and staff gathered at the Cade Museum to celebrate the achievements in 2024 and look ahead to the doubtless successes of the coming year. The annual event included an awards presentation to highlight members of the UF Health Cancer Center community for their outstanding contributions over the last year.

2024 marked the UF Health Cancer Center’s first full year as a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center and was a year of tremendous progress as the center held its first External Advisory Board meeting since designation and gathered for a productive center-wide membership retreat. The Mobile Cancer Screening Connector was launched to enhance access to cancer screenings and vital health care services. The center continued to develop its four research programs, which serve a robust and growing membership of nearly 350 researchers across UF campus, and formalized a new slate of Working and Interest Groups to foster collaborations and grants, including one focused on AI.
Notable research discoveries in 2024 include a homegrown mRNA cancer vaccine that quickly reprogrammed the immune system to attack glioblastoma. Several discoveries enhance our understanding of epigenetics in multiple myeloma. Promising outcomes were seen from personalizing leukemia therapy with a genetic score developed at UF. And UF Health Cancer Center researchers invented a device that minimizes patient discomfort during treatment for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
Jonathan D. Licht, M.D., the center’s director, thanked all members and staff whose tireless efforts and dedication led to NCI designation and expressed optimism about the goal of achieving comprehensive status in the next decade.
“We are really excited about this designation, made possible by all of your efforts,” he said. “Together, we will work on a successful renewal in 2027, getting outstanding scores in all of our programs. Most importantly, more than outstanding scores, it’s really: ‘Do we have outstanding impact? Are we making a difference? Are we learning new paradigm-shifting ideas in cancer biology, prevention, and screening? Are we putting this into clinical trials? Are we changing the practice of cancer medicine and are we changing cancer policy? All of these things together will get us to Project 2032, which is to have comprehensive designation for this cancer center.”
Awards
UF Health Cancer Center Basic Science Staff Member of the Year Award:

Dorci Nance, M.A., Administrative Specialist
“Dorci Nance is instrumental for the Renne laboratory research operation, which includes assisting in all grant applications and the annual NIH progress report for our multi-institutional NCI Program Project. She has done a stellar job in organizing the inaugural meeting on “Noncoding RNAs in Viral Disease” in New Orleans, as well as the third UF-wide “Virology Retreat” with Dr. Stephanie Karst, all events that have significant UF Health Cancer Center membership and UF Health Cancer Center support. Finally, and equally important she takes care of all our lab members with a very personal and highly respectful approach.”
UF Health Cancer Center Clinical Research Staff Member of the Year Award:

Sherri Mizrahy, R.N., M.S.N., CCRC, Compliance Manager
“Sherri consistently goes above and beyond to protect the integrity of the research process and ensure patient safety in the trials conducted at the Cancer Center. Her dedication and exceptional resourcefulness make her an invaluable asset to our teams. Sherri’s commitment extends beyond simply ensuring compliance — she approaches her work with excellence, integrity, and a genuine heart, setting a high standard for all. Her leadership inspires those around her and plays an essential role in advancing our mission.”
UF Health Cancer Center Population Sciences Research Staff Member of the Year Award:

Magda Knight, Clinical Research Manager
“Beyond her technical expertise, Magda is a compassionate leader who inspires and mentors colleagues. Her commitment to excellence has not only advanced our Center’s mission but has also earned the respect and admiration of her peers.”
UF Health Cancer Center Community Outreach Award:

Jamie Hensley, MHCM, CCRP, Assistant Director of Cancer Screening and Care Navigation
“Jamie is the definition of a problem-solver, taking on challenges with a clear, organized approach and a positive attitude. Their ability to find solutions and keep things moving smoothly has significantly enhanced the COE team’s work. Jamie’s contributions are practical, effective, and have made a real difference to our operations.”
UF Health Cancer Center Top Investigator Award:

Padraic O’Malley, M.D., FRCSC, Associate Professor, UF Department of Urology
“Dr. O’Malley has served as chief of the Division of Urologic Oncology in the UF Department of Urology since January 2023. Over the past year he has successfully been awarded a surgical pilot IIT award from the UF Health Cancer Center, which is in active development. He is the PI of the fourth-highest enrolling site on his National EA8212 trial and in the top three enrollers on treatment trials at the UF Health Cancer Center. Dr. O’Malley also serves as the national champion for the NCTN-led PROBE trial.”
UF Health Cancer Center Top Influencer Award:
Leah Buletti, Assistant Director of Communications

“Leah’s dedication to her work and to the mission of the cancer center is exemplary. She consistently gives 110% in all that she does. She handles any random task thrown at her and knocks it out of the park. She is an advocate for the center and invested in making our work shine.”
UF Health Cancer Center Administration Staff Member of the Year Award:

Zach Mayo-Frey, C-TAGME, Administrative Specialist
“Zach is an exceptional team member who consistently goes above and beyond in everything he does. His hardworking nature is evident in the quality and efficiency of his work, but it’s his friendly demeanor and dedication to creating a supportive environment that truly sets him apart. Zach takes the time to ensure that everyone around him feels welcome and has everything they need to succeed.”
UF Health Cancer Center Rising Star of the Year Awards:

Rahma Mkuu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, UF Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics (Rising Star of the Year, CCPS)
Fan Zhang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, UF College of Pharmacy (Rising Star of the Year, CTT)
John Ligon, M.D., Assistant Professor, UF College of Medicine (Rising Star of the Year, IOM)
Xin Tang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, UF College of Engineering (Rising Star of the Year, MOO)
UF Health Cancer Center Nurse of the Year Award:

Taryn King, R.N., B.S.N., CCRN, CCRC, Research Nurse II
“Taryn is an indispensable asset, and her contributions go far beyond her clinical skills — her passion for patient care, her ability to teach, and her unwavering commitment to improving processes make her truly deserving of Nurse of the Year.”
UF Health Cancer Center Advanced Practice Provider of the Year Award:

Olayinka Ogedengbe, N.P., Nurse Practitioner
“The nominee spends a gracious amount of time with patients and brings a level of calmness that is beneficial to chaotic and painful diagnoses. She also is an educator, having educated research staff, support staff, and all members of the Cancer Center. It is an absolute pleasure to watch the nominee care for patients.”
UF Health Cancer Center Physician of the Year Award:

Bently Doonan, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, UF Division of Hematology/Oncology
“Dr. Doonan consistently achieves high standards in the practice of medicine with each and every patient interaction. His attention to detail is incredible; there is no patient concern or question that ever goes unaddressed. His bedside manner and patient education are the best I have ever seen, which support the mission of the UF Health Cancer Center in every way possible. He is an exceptional physician and a role model to all.”
UF Health Cancer Center Golden Gator Award:

Christina Cline, R.N., B.S.N., CCRC, Assistant Director, Clinical Operations
“One of the longest serving members of the Cancer Center, Christina has shown true dedication to our Heme Malignancy BMT Program research patients, and she has navigated all the changes to our institution extremely well. She is well-suited in her position in clinical operations, for there is no one as skilled or creative or with the historical perspective as she to lead us in the future.”
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