Sylvester’s 2026 K12 Scholars Drive the Future of Cancer Research
Three physician-scientists at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center are leading innovative clinical trial research while training in translational oncology and patient-centered care.
At Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, scientific discovery moves rapidly from the lab to the clinic through innovative clinical trials that expand treatment options for patients.
Sylvester’s 2026 K12 scholars are advancing this mission by developing innovative approaches to cancer care while gaining expertise in clinical trial design, translational research and scientific leadership. Clinical trials play a critical role in transforming discoveries into new therapies, improving outcomes and expanding access to cutting-edge treatments for patients.
Three physician-scientists have been named 2026 K12 Calabresi Scholars at Sylvester:
• Austin Dosch, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in the DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery’s Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery
• Isabella Ferando, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of clinical neurology in the Cognitive Neurology Division
• Gil Hevroni, M.D., assistant professor of clinical medicine in the Myeloma Division
They join a distinguished cohort of Sylvester investigators working to accelerate the translation of research into patient-centered cancer care while addressing critical community health needs.
Training the Next Generation of Physician-Scientists in Oncology Research
Since 2018, Sylvester has supported 22 junior faculty members through its K12 Calabresi Clinical Oncology Research Career Development Program, funded by the National Cancer Institute and supplemented by Sylvester. The two-year program prepares the next generation of leaders in patient-oriented oncology research.
Beginning Sept. 1, Drs. Dosch, Ferando and Hevroni will receive dedicated research time, structured mentorship, formal coursework and hands-on experience designing hypothesis-driven clinical trials focused on advancing cancer care delivery and improving patient outcomes, with an emphasis on the needs of Sylvester patients.
They will work closely with the K12 leadership team, including:
• Principal investigator Alan Pollack, M.D., Ph.D., Sylvester researcher and professor of radiation oncology at the Miller School
• K12 associate director Jaime Merchan, M.D., professor in the Miller School’s Division of Medical Oncology, co-leader of the Translational and Clinical Oncology Research Program at Sylvester and director of its Phase 1 Clinical Trials Program.
• K12 associate director Erin Kobetz, Ph.D., M.P.H., associate director for community outreach and the John K. and Judy H. Schulte Senior Endowed Chair in Cancer Research at Sylvester
• Administrative director Vaughn Edelson, M.P.H., M.P.A.
“We are providing early-stage physician investigators with the time, mentorship and resources to pursue high-impact science that advances clinical trials and improves patient outcomes,” said Dr. Pollack.
Advancing Treatment for Colorectal Cancer: 2026 K12 Scholar Dr. Austin Dosch
Mentors: Nipun Merchant, M.D., and Nagaraj Nagathihalli, Ph.D.
Dr. Dosch studies colorectal cancer that has spread to the abdominal lining, where treatment options remain limited. The FLORI trial, named to honor Floriano Marchetti, M.D., who founded the cytoreduction/HIPEC program at the University of Miami, will study repeated delivery of chemotherapy into the abdominal cavity before surgery, concentrating the drug at tumor sites while limiting toxicity.
He will conduct this study with surgical oncologist Caitlin Hester, M.D., and medical oncologist Agustín Pimentel, M.D. The trial will also evaluate replicative stress biomarkers and tumor DNA levels in abdominal fluid and use patient organoids to predict and monitor treatment response, advancing efforts to personalize treatment approaches.
Studying Cognitive Effects of Cancer Treatment: 2026 K12 Scholar Dr. Isabella Ferando
Mentors: Carmen Calfa, M.D., and Tracy Crane, Ph.D., RDN
Dr. Ferando’s research focuses on understanding and preventing chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment, commonly known as “chemo brain,” which affects memory, attention and decision-making in many cancer patients and survivors. Her work examines how chemotherapy disrupts normal brain activity and communication, contributing to cognitive decline.
Using quantitative electroencephalography and longitudinal cognitive assessments, she aims to identify biomarkers that can predict which patients are most at risk. She is also studying intermittent fasting as a practical intervention to improve brain resilience during and after treatment.
Her long-term goal is to develop scalable, physiology-based tools and personalized strategies that preserve cognitive function and improve quality of life for cancer patients and survivors.
Advancing Digital Monitoring in Multiple Myeloma: 2026 K12 Scholar Dr. Gil Hevroni
Mentors: C. Ola Landgren, M.D., Ph.D., and Dr. Crane
Dr. Hevroni’s research focuses on improving disease monitoring, risk stratification and treatment optimization for people with multiple myeloma by integrating biologic and patient-centered measures of outcome. Her K12 project will incorporate wearable digital health technologies into clinical trials for patients with high-risk smoldering and newly diagnosed multiple myeloma undergoing immunotherapy.
By integrating digital biomarkers, including physical activity, sleep patterns and cardiovascular metrics, with minimal residual disease assessments and clinical outcomes, she aims to develop predictive models that more accurately characterize treatment response and identify early signals of disease progression.
Ultimately, her goal is to advance more personalized care by integrating tumor biology with patient-centered and physiologic outcomes.
Cancer Clinical Trial Design and Management Course
Together, the K12 scholars and program leadership are advancing Sylvester’s commitment to strengthening clinical trials and expanding access to innovative cancer therapies. While the K12 program provides in-depth, mentored training for early-career physician-scientists, Sylvester is also extending that expertise more broadly to support the global oncology research community.
Starting Sept. 11, members of the global cancer research community are invited to participate in Sylvester’s six-week, virtual Design and Management of Cancer Clinical Trials Course. Originally developed for K12 scholars and now open to clinical research professionals more broadly, this interprofessional education program is designed to equip cancer-focused clinicians, researchers, trainees and staff with the knowledge and skills to design, conduct and lead high-quality clinical trials.
With an emphasis on the importance of the entire clinical research team, participants will learn foundational research concepts and principles as well as cutting-edge developments that support the planning and implementation of cancer clinical trials. Certificates of attendance and continuing education credits are offered at no cost for live participation.
New course elements for 2026 include:
• Concurrent sessions for nurses and advanced practice providers, in partnership with the Oncology Nursing Society and clinical research professionals
• A pre-course workshop on clinical trial fundamentals, “From Protocol to Practice”
• A post-course workshop on the business of AI in clinical trials, in collaboration with the Miami Herbert Business School
“Through programs like the K12 and DMCTC, Sylvester is strengthening the pipeline of physician-scientists and expanding access to high-quality clinical trial education,” said Dr. Pollack. “Together, these efforts are accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into meaningful advances for patients.”
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Tags: cancer research, chemotherapy, cognitive decline, colon cancer, DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Dr. Alan Pollack, Dr. Austin Dosch, Dr. Gil Hevroni, Dr. Isabella Ferando, multiple myeloma, Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology K12, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sylvester K12 Calabresi Symposium, technology, wearable device