University of Illinois Cancer Center Leadership

Quality and cutting-edge cancer research calls for strong leadership. At the University of Illinois Cancer Center, we are dedicated to supporting cancer research in the long term in order to reduce cancer disparities, promote health equity, and improve outcomes for all patients. 

Our Leaders

Jan Kitajewski, PhD

Cancer Center Director

Ahlam Al-Kodmany, PhD

Associate Director, Administration

Marian Fitzgibbon, PhD

Associate Director, Population Sciences

Nissim Hay, PhD

Associate Director, Basic Science

Vijayakrishna Gadi, MD, PhD

Associate Director, Translational Medicine

Paul Grippo, PhD

Associate Director, Career Enhancement and Education

Karriem Watson, DHS-c, MS, MPH

Associate Director, Community Outreach and Engagement

Peter Gann, MD, ScD

Associate Director, Shared Resources

University of Illinois Cancer Center Administration

Sandeep Kataria, M.B.A.

Director, Oncology Bioinformatics

Farah Mirza

Director, CCSG Administration

Ron Smith, CPA, M.B.A.

Director, Finance/Business​

Mary Song-Abundo

Director, Human Resources

Vida Henderson, PhD, PharmD, MPH, MFA

Director, Community Engagement and Health Equity; Research Assistant Professor, UIC School of Public Health

Sheridan Chaney

Director, Marketing and Communication

Jane Erb

Director, Development

Rocio Bueno, MPA, CRA

Associate Director, Research Operations

Margaret Wright Geise

Senior Research Scientist