Eighteen Researchers and Mentors Selected for ASCO’s Inaugural International Clinical Research Scholars Program in Latin America

The program kicked off with a two-day in-person workshop in São Paulo, Brazil, on October 31 and November 1, followed by quarterly online sessions. Scholars will engage in hands-on learning about research design, biostatistics, ethics, and more, ensuring they gain practical skills essential for advancing cancer care in their communities.

Each scholar will benefit from the guidance of a seasoned ASCO mentor and a local mentor, fostering invaluable networking and collaboration opportunities.

ASCO is committed to developing the next generation of cancer researchers in Latin America. Stay tuned for updates as this exciting program unfolds, paving the way for impactful cancer research across the region. Plans for expansion into Africa and Asia-Pacific are also in the works for 2025!

American Society of Clinical Oncology

“We are excited to launch our Latin America International Clinical Research Scholars program in São Paulo, Brazil, hosted by Sírio-Libanês Hospital. Our ICR Scholars are discussing their research ideas with experts and learning about research ethics, study design, biostatistics, avoiding research bias, common sense oncology, and more. The ICRS is a 1-year hybrid program for investigators that pairs research education with mentorship. Thank you to our course faculty, host, and Scholars!”

The following individuals were selected for the 2024-2025 ASCO International Clinical Research Scholars:

Ivan Macharashvili, MD, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina

ICR mentor: Timothy Gilligan, MD, MS, FASCO, Cleveland Clinic, USA
Local mentor: Federico Cayol, MD, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Federico Waisberg, MD, Instituto Alexander Fleming, Argentina
ICR mentor: Geoffrey Shapiro, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, USA.

Flávia Amaral Duarte, MD, MSc, Grupo Oncoclinicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
ICR mentor: Narjust Florez, MD, FASCO, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, USA
Local mentor: Clarissa Mathias, MD, PhD, FASCO, Oncoclínicas Núcleo de Oncologia da Bahia, Brazil.

Thaiana Aragão Santana, MD, MSc, Grupo Oncoclinicas, Aracaju, Brazil
ICR mentor: Ann H. Partridge, MD, MPH, FASCO, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, USA
Local mentor: Clarissa Mathias, MD, PhD, FASCO, Oncoclínicas Núcleo de Oncologia da Bahia, Brazil.

Luciana de Moura Leite, MD, AC Camargo Cancer Center, Brazil
ICR mentor: Matteo Lambaertini, MD, PhD, University of Genova – IRCCS San Martino Hospital, Italy
Local mentor: Vladmir Cláudio Cordeiro de Lima, MD, PhD, AC Camargo Cancer Center, Brazil

Giselle de Souza Carvalho, MD, MBA, Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Brazil
ICR mentor: Gilberto Lopes, MD, MBA, FASCO, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA
Local mentor: Andréia Cristina de Melo, MD, PhD, Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Brazil

Tercia Reis Villasboas, MD, Grupo Oncoclinicas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
ICR mentor: Coral Olazagasti, MD, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA

Heloisa Resende, MD, PhD, Hospital Hinja, Brazil
ICR mentor: André Mattar, MD, PhD, Hospital da Mulher-SP, Oncoclinicas SP, Brazil

Daniel Vargas Pivato de Almeida, MD, Grupo Oncoclinicas, Brasilia, Brazil
ICR mentor: Tracy Crane, PhD, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA
Local mentor: Mariane Sousa Fontes Dias, MD, Grupo Oncoclinicas, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Javier Retamales, MD, Hospital Sotero del Rio, Chile
ICR mentor: Virginia Sun, PhD, City of Hope, USA
Local mentor: Bettina Müller, MD, Instituto Nacional del Cáncer, Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile

William Armando Mantilla Duran, MD, MSc, Fundación CTIC, Colombia
ICR mentor: Massimo Cristofanilli, MD, FACP, Weill Cornell Medicine, USA

Luis Ayala, MD, SOLCA Quito Hospital, Ecuador
ICR mentor: Laura Korin, MD, Instituto Alexander Fleming, Argentina
Local mentor: Marcela Zamora, MD, Hospital Oncológico, SOLCA Quito, Ecuador

Rafael Correa Cano, MD, MHA, Instituto Mexicano de Seguridad Social, Mexico
ICR mentor: Ignacio Duran, MD, PhD, Hospital Universitario Marques de Valdecilla, Spain
Local mentor: Samuel Rivera, MD, PhD, Centro Médico ABC, México

Eduardo González-Ochoa, MD, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico
ICR mentor: Evelyn Cantillo, MD, Weill Cornell Medicine, USA
Local mentor: Yanin Chavarri-Guerra, MD, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico

Jose Luis Portugal del Pino, MD, Oncosalud, Peru
ICR mentor: Deepti Behl, MD, Sutter Health, USA
Local mentor: Henry Gomez, MD, PhD, Oncosalud, Peru

Patricia Rioja, MD, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas (INEN), Peru
ICR mentor: Ian F. Tannock, MD, PhD, FASCO, Emeritus, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Canada
Local mentor: Silvia Neciosup, MD, PhD, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas (INEN), Peru

Gustavo Sandival, MD, Hospital Regional Guillermo Diaz de la Vega, Peru
ICR mentor: Andres Wiernik, MD, Hospital Metropolitano Costa Rica

Iván Lyra González, MD, Servicio de Oncología Clínica, Hospital de Clínicas, Uruguay
ICR mentors: Bishal Gyawali, MD, PhD, Queen’s University, Canada, and Bettina Müller, MD, Instituto Nacional del Cáncer, Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile
Local mentor: Mauricio Cuello, MD, Servicio de Oncología Clínica, Hospital de Clínicas, Uruguay