SABCS’s Social Media Ambassadors 2024

The SABCS 2024 (San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium) will feature a group of Social Media Ambassadors who will be sharing live updates, insights, and key takeaways from the event.

These ambassadors, who are experts, researchers, clinicians, and influencers in the field of breast cancer, will offer unique perspectives and real-time commentary on the latest research, clinical advancements, and groundbreaking presentations at the conference.

By following these Social Media Ambassadors, attendees and followers will gain access to a wealth of information, including highlights of scientific sessions, expert interviews, and reactions to new treatment developments.

Here are the SABCS 2024 Social Media Ambassadors:

Janice Cowden

Janice Cowden is a former nurse, cancer patient and advocate. She was diagnosed with stage I triple-negative early-stage breast cancer in 2011; later, Janice was diagnosed with metastatic disease in 2016. She became a Living Beyond Breast Cancer Hear My Voice (HMV) Advocate in 2017 and continues to serve as a Helpline Volunteer. Janice works with several patient-founded and -led organizations including PCDI, GRASP, and Project Life MBC. As a trained peer support volunteer, she is founder of an international online peer support group for patients newly diagnosed with MBC.  She serves on the Board of Directors for METAvivor Research and Support, Inc., and is an Advisory Board member for Project Life MBC. In 2022, she attended ASCO as a patient advocate scholarship recipient. In October 2022, she was invited to serve as a lead patient advocate, representing PCDI, on a research study with ASCO.

Jason A. Mouabbi

Dr. Jason A. Mouabbi is assistant professor of breast medical oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. He joined the LBCA SAB in early 2021. He has won awards like GRASP Award in 2022, Top Doctor Award, Detroit Hour Magazine in 2019 and more.  His research is focused on highlighting the differences between invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) for the past eight years.

Melissa Davis

Dr. Davis previously served as the Scientific Director of the International Center for the Study of Breast Cancer Subtypes (ICSBCS) at Weill Cornell Medicine and was also the Director of Health Equity for the Englander Institute of Precision Medicine. Her research has focused on genomic determinants of cancer health disparities and how these factors intersect with marginalized communities. As the inaugural Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) Distinguished Investigator at Morehouse School of Medicine, Dr. Davis now leads the Institute of Genomic Medicine, where she continues to champion the importance of diversity in genomics research. Her work aims to bridge gaps in precision medicine and improve healthcare for underserved populations.

Dr. Davis has received significant recognition for her contributions to genetics, cancer research, and health equity. Her role in advancing the inclusion of underrepresented populations in genomic studies has helped transform the understanding and application of precision medicine on a global scale.

Oncology Brothers

Drs. Rohit Gosain and Rahul Gosain (aka Oncology Brothers), are medical oncologists/hematologists. Through their social media platforms like X/Twitter, they actively engage with their audience. With their own YouTube channel and podcast, they provide accessible resources for cancer patients and their families. Additionally, their participation in live conferences ensures that cancer patients receive the best care closer to home, reflecting their commitment to advancing oncology and improving patient outcomes through education and outreach.

Debbie Denardi

Debbie Denardi is a dedicated breast cancer survivor, passionate advocate, and patient supporter. Her personal journey through breast cancer has fueled her commitment to raising awareness and providing support to others facing similar challenges. Beyond her advocacy work, Debbie is an accomplished professional in the real estate and mortgage industries. She works as a Mortgage Loan Originator with My Mortgage Inc., where she assists clients in navigating the often complex process of securing home loans, offering guidance and support at every step.

In addition to her role in mortgage lending, Debbie is also a Real Estate Sales Associate with Yaffe International Realty, where she helps clients buy and sell properties, leveraging her expertise in the real estate market to help individuals and families achieve their homeownership goals. Debbie combines her professional skills with her personal experience as a breast cancer survivor, offering unique insight and support to those who are facing life-changing diagnoses. Through her work and advocacy, she continues to inspire others with her strength, resilience, and dedication to improving the lives of those around her.

Eleonora Teplinsky

Eleonora Teplinsky is a medical oncologist specializing in breast and gynecologic oncology. She is the head of breast and gynecological medical oncology at Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care in Paramus, New Jersey, and a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. Her clinical and research interests focus on young women with breast cancer, survivorship, exercise oncology, and the use of social media in oncology. She is passionate about oncology education and advocacy on social media and is the host of the INTERLUDE Podcast, where she shares the stories and experiences of those who have been affected by cancer. Dr. Teplinsky is the co-lead of the The Collaboration for Outcomes using Social Media in Oncology (COSMO) – a social media lab working to provide a venue for social media research in oncology.

Hope Rugo

Dr. Hope Rugo, MD, FASCO, is a professor of medicine at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. With experience in hematology and oncology, she specializes in breast cancer treatment and clinical trials. Dr. Rugo’s research focuses on innovative therapies and combination treatments to improve outcomes for breast cancer patients, including immunotherapy and targeted agents. She is known for her contributions to reducing treatment toxicity educating through initiatives like the Breast Forum.

Matteo Lambertini

Matteo Lambertini is an adjunct professor and consultant in medical oncology at the IRCCS Policlinico San Martino Hospital and the University of Genova in Italy. He specializes in managing breast cancer in young women, particularly addressing fertility and pregnancy-related issues post-diagnosis. Lambertini’s notable research includes using GnRH agonists during chemotherapy to preserve ovarian function and studying the safety of pregnancy after breast cancer. He also serves on the scientific boards of ESMO, ESHRE, and AIOM for fertility preservation in cancer patients. 

Julia Maués

Julia Maués is a breast cancer survivor diagnosed in 2013 while pregnant. After delivering a healthy baby, she learned her cancer had spread to her bones, liver, and brain. Despite setbacks, her cancer eventually responded to treatment. Julia focuses on ensuring research is patient-centered, innovative, and inclusive. She co-founded GRASP (Guiding Researchers and Advocates to Scientific Partnerships), which connects researchers and patient advocates. Julia is also dedicated to ending disparities in cancer care, especially for Black women, and is a founding member of the Inclusion Pledge.

Sara Tolaney

Sara Tolaney is the Chief of the Division of Breast Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She also serves as Associate Director of the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers and is a Senior Physician at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Her research focuses on the development of novel therapies in the treatment of breast cancer and developing more effective and less toxic treatment approaches.

Her work has demonstrated that a relatively low risk regimen is beneficial in women with early stage node-negative HER2-positive cancers, and this works has been incorporated into national and international guidelines. She has developed several follow-up studies looking at novel approaches to early stage HER2-positive disease and has also played a significant role in development of cdk 4/6 inhibitors, antibody drug conjugates, and immunotherapy in breast cancer. She is the author of over 150 peer-reviewed publications in leading scientific journals. She is the recipient of the Lee M Nadler “Extra Mile” Award, and the Innovation Award for Clinical Faculty.

Bob Riter

Bob Riter began his journey in patient advocacy in 1997, volunteering with the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance (now the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes) to offer peer support to people newly diagnosed with cancer. Over the past 20 years, he has served in various roles, including volunteer, support group leader, board member, staff member, and executive director.

Bob emphasizes the power of listening in patient advocacy. He believes that when people are first diagnosed with cancer, what they need most is someone to listen. He highlights the importance of empathetic listening, where the goal is not to offer advice but to give patients the space to think out loud, helping them find clarity. For Bob, listening is the cornerstone of his advocacy and an invaluable skill in all aspects of life.

Erika Hamilton

Erika Hamilton is a medical oncologist and the Director of Breast Cancer Program at Sarah Cannon Research Institute (USA). Dr. Hamilton is a past chair of ASCO’s Scientific Breast Committee ’21-’22, participant of the ASCO Leadership Development Program, Associate Editor for Clinical Breast Cancer, co-chair for Great Debates and Updates in Women’s Oncology Conference and a board member of the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Central Tennessee. She is active in the community, volunteering with Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee, the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, Ovarcome ovarian cancer support organization, Brentwood Baptist Church and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

For more information, visit oncodaily.com.