Ashley Springer, MSN, AGPCNP-BC, APRN-Rx
Core Clinical Member, Translational and Clinical Research, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Academic Appointment(s):
Assistant Professor (Assistant Researcher), University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Degree(s):
MS, Nursing Adult/Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Award(s)
2023 NCORP/NCI NPIVR Silver Accrual Award
2020 University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center/Hawaiʻi Minority Underserved CORP Clinical Trails Facilitation Award
2020 University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center/Hawaiʻi Minority Underserved CORP Clinical Trials Accrual Award (Non-Interventional trials), Clinical Trails Facilitation Award
Research Focus
CCDR/Symptom management, thoracic malignancies, benign and malignant hematology
Selected Publications
Braun-Inglis C, Shvetsov YB, Springer A, Ferguson V, Workman T, Omatsu D, Conde F, O’Carroll Bantum E, Rhee J. (2021). Understanding Attitudes and Roles of Oncology Advanced Practitioners in the Setting of Cancer Clinical Trials: A Pilot Study. Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology; 12(5)465-476.
Springer A. (2023). Internal Quality Assessment of the Barriers to Successful Next-Generation Sequence Testing in a Community Oncology Practice. APSHO Advance; 9(3), 17.
Samir Ambrale, MD, MPH
Core Clinical Member, Translational and Clinical Research, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Academic Appointment(s):
Assistant Professor, Translational and Clinical Research, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Associate Adjunct Professor, School of Health Sciences, University of Guam
Degree(s):
MD, Grant Medical College, Mumbai, India
MPH, Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Residencies - Internal Medicine, New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY
Fellowship - Medical Oncology & Hematology, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT
Certification(s)
Internal Medicine, 2013
Medical Oncology, 2016
Hematology, 2016
Honor(s)
ASCO Advocacy Champion 2019, Senators Club level
ASCO Merit Award, Poster Presentation, ASCO annual meeting 2015
Research Focus
Dr Ambrale treats a wide variety of cancers and blood disorders. His research interests are to study the disparate rates of some cancers that are prevalent in Pacific Islanders and understand impacts of financial toxicity in cancer treatments.
Selected Publications
Ambrale SS, Rounds T, Sussman B, Rincon M, Kontos D,Keller D, Ji Y, Sprague B, Wood ME. (2015). Influence of inflammation on mammographic breast density in women at increased risk of breast cancer-Abstract presented as poster at ASCO annual meeting, May 2015. Recipient of Oncology Trainee Travel Award (OTTA) by the Conquer Cancer Foundation.
Kaiser KA, Cofield SS, Fontaine KR, Glasser SP, Thabane L, Chu R, Ambrale S, Dwary AD, Kumar A, Nayyar G, Affuso O, Beasley M, Allison DB. (2012). Is funding source related to study reporting quality in obesity or nutrition randomized control trials in top-tier medical journals? Int J Obes (Lond);Jul;36(7): 977–981.
Lamba G, Ambrale S, Lee B, Gupta R, Rafiyath SM, Liu D. (2012). Recent advances and novel agents for gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). epub J Hematol Oncol;May 8 10.1186/1756-8722-5-21.
Lamba G, Gupta R, Lee B, Ambrale S, Liu D. (2012). Current management and prognostic features for gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Exp Hematol Oncol Online; epub 2012 Jun 18. doi: 10.1186/2162-3619-1-14.
Publication list via PubMed
Active Grants
S. Ambrale, Sub-recipient PI; J. Berenberg & J. Acoba, Co-PIs
Hawaiʻi Minority/Underserved NCORP
08/01/2019 – 07/31/2025
Randal K. Wada, MD, MS, FAAP
Core Clinical Member, Translational and Clinical Research, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Academic Appointment(s):
Professor, Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Professor and Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, John A. Burns School of Medicine
Degree(s):
MD, Emory University
MS, Biological Sciences, Northwestern University
Residency/Fellowship(s):
Pediatric Internship and Residency Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology clinical fellowship, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Cancer Immunology and Biology post-doctoral fellowship, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Certification(s)
American Board of Pediatrics, Sub-Board Hematology/Oncology
Research Focus
Interprofessional teamwork and advance care planning; molecular targeting/precision medicine clinical trials.
Selected Publications
Byron SA, Hendricks WPD, Nagulapally AB, Kraveka JM, Ferguson WS, Brown VI, Eslin DE, Mitchell D, Cornelius A, Roberts W, Isakoff MS, Oesterheld JE, Wada RK, Rawwas J, Neville K, Zage PE, Harrod VL, Bergendahl G, VanSickle E, Dykema K, Bond J, Chou HC, Wei JS, Wen X, Reardon HV, Roos A, Nasser S, Izatt T, Enriquez D, Hegde AM, Cisneros F, Christofferson A, Turner B, Szelinger S, Keats JJ, Halperin RF, Khan J, Saulnier Sholler GL, Trent JM. (2021). Genomic and transcriptomic analysis of relapsed and refractory childhood solid tumors reveals a diverse molecular landscape and mechanisms of immune evasion. Cancer Res. Epub ahead of print
Wada RK. (2020). Leadership, behavioral science, and interprofessional teamwork. Transl Behav Med;10:905-908.
Lewis EC, Kraveka JM, Ferguson W, Eslin D, Brown VI, Bergendahl G, Roberts W, Wada RK, Oesterheld J, Mitchell D, Foley J, Zage P, Rawwas J, Rich M, Lorenzi E, Broglio K, Berry D, Saulnier Sholler GL. (2020). A subset analysis of a phase II trial evaluating the use of DFMO as maintenance therapy for high-risk neuroblastoma. Int J Cancer;147:3152-3159.
Wada RK, Wong L, Flohr A, Kurahara D, Arndt R, Deutsch MJ, Ing D, Richardson K, Munro A, Kaneshige L, Mullis M, Hatae M, Albright CL. (2019). Engaging a community chaplaincy resource for interprofessional health care provider training in facilitating family decision making for children at end-of-life. Hawaii J Med Public Health;78 (Suppl 1):37-40.
Saulnier Sholler GL, Ferguson W, Bergendahl G, Bond JP, Neville K, Eslin D, Brown V, Roberts W, Wada RK, Oesterheld J, Mitchell D, Foley J, Parikh NS, Eshun F, Zage P, Rawwas J, Sencer S, Pankiewicz D, Quinn M, Rich M, Junewick J, Kraveka JM, on behalf of the Beat Childhood Cancer Consortium. (2018). Maintenance DFMO Increases Survival in High Risk Neuroblastoma. Sci Rep; 27:14445.
Publication list via PubMed
Active Grants
R. Wada, PI
Hyundai Hope on Wheels Foundation
Pediatric Oncology Impact Grant
12/01/2021 – 12/31/2022
Brian F. Issell, MD
Emeritus Clinical Member, Translational and Clinical Research, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Academic Appointment(s):
Clinical Professor, Clinical Sciences and Translational Research, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Degree(s):
MD, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Internal Medicine Residency, University of Otago Hospitals, Dunedin, New Zealand
Medical Oncology Fellowship, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Research Focus
Dr. Issell's career has been committed to clinical and translational research to improve the care of cancer patients. He has been a clinical and translational investigator, educator, administrator and practicing medical oncologist for over 30 years. From 1978-1983, he led the preclinical to clinical transition of several notable anticancer drugs in the US including cisplatin, carboplatin and etoposide, while working at Bristol Myers (now Bristol Myers Squibb). From 1983-1988, he led the initial generation of monoclonal antibody products and the preclinical and clinical development of both monoclonal antibody products and cytokines (including IL-2) while working at Cetus Corporation (now Novartis). From 1988-1999, he was Director of the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center. In this role he led the development of new programs in natural products drug discovery, prevention and control and clinical science and the acquisition of first an NCI P20 Cancer Center Planning Grant and then a P30 Cancer Center Support (Core) Grant. From 1999 to 2006, he was Director of the Center's Clinical Sciences/Clinical Trials. He has been PI on multiple clinical research projects (including Phase I studies) funded by R01, R21, U01 and U10 mechanisms. He was Program Director of a K12 award for training clinical investigators and participated in T32 and R25 training awards held by the Cancer Center. From December 2006-December 2010, he was Vice President of Clinical Research/Medical Director of Academic Affairs for Scripps Health and Director of Clinical Research, Scripps Translational Science Institute which was awarded an NIH CTSA under his leadership of the clinical and regulatory components. He led the expansion of clinical research throughout Scripps Health multi-hospital system and took it to a new level of excellence through intra- and inter-institutional collaborations and the training and support of outstanding clinical investigators. In 2011 he returned to the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center as Associate Director of Clinical Sciences and Translational Research to help lead its transformation to a new level of clinical investigation.
Selected Publications
Lillie E, Patay B, Diamant J, Issell B, Topol E. (2011). The n-of -1 clinical trial: the ultimate strategy for individualizing medicine? Personalized Medicine 8: (2) 161-173.
Maskarinec G, Pagano I, Lurie G Bantum E, Gotay CC, Issell BF. (2011). Factors Affecting Survival among Women with Breast Cancer in Hawaii. Journal of Women's Health 20: (2) 231-237.
Blanke C, Chansky K, Christman K, Hundahl S, Issell B, Van Veldhuizen P, Budd G, Abbruzzese J, Macdonald J. (2010). S9511: A Southwest Oncology Group Phase II Study of Trimetrexate 5FU and Leucovorin in Unresectable or Metastatic Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach American Journal of Clinical Oncology 33: (2) 111-120.
Issell BF, Gotay CC, Pagano I Franke AA. (2009). Using Quality of Life Measures in a Phase I Clinical Trial of Noni in Patients with Advanced Cancer to Select a Phase II Dose. Journal of Dietary Supplements 6: (4) 347-359.
Issell BF, Franke A, Fielding RM. (2008). Pharmacokinetic Study of Noni Fruit Extract. Journal of Dietary Supplements 5: (4) 373-382.
Publication list via PubMed
Paul T. Morris, MD, FACS, FCCP
Core Clinical Member, Translational and Clinical Research, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Academic Appointment(s):
Associate Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Adjunct Full Clinical Professor, Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Degree(s):
MD, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
General Surgery Resident, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY
Clinical Associate, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY
Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Resident, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX
Chief Resident and Junior Faculty Associate, Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center University of Texas, Houston, TX
Fellowship(s):
Fellow, American College of Surgeons
Fellow, American College of Chest Physicians
Certification(s)
Licensure: California, MD
Licensure: Hawaiʻi, MD
Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
General Surgery
Honor(s)
2020 - Teacher of the Year, Voted by the Residents of the John A. Burns School of Medicine
2010 - Ke Kaula Po’okela, Community Based Physician of the Year, The Queen’s Medical Center
2003 - Outstanding Achievement Award, Hawaii Society of Clinical Oncology
2002 - Oahu Nominee, Kilohana Awards, State Volunteer Services, Office of the Governor
2001 - Volunteer of the Year, The American Cancer Society, Hawaii Pacific Chapter
2000 - Teacher of the Year, Voted by the Residents of the John A. Burns School of Medicine
1998 - Teacher of the Year, Voted by the Residents of the John A. Burns School of Medicine
1992 - Bella Trachtenberg Award for Scholarship, Clinical Excellence Compassionate Patient Care
1987 - Cum Laude Graduate, Alpha Omega Alpha, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Research Focus
Malignant Mesothelioma
Lung Cancer
Esophageal Cancer
Thymic Cancer
Cancer Care Delivery Research (CCDR)
Selected Publications
Vossler J, Abdul-Ghani A, Tsai P, Morris P. (2021). Outcomes of Anatomic Lung Resection for Cancer Are Better When Performed by Cardiothoracic Surgeons. Ann Thoracic Surg;June; 111:1004-11.
Sathirareuangchai S, Kakazu K, Tauchi-Nishi P, Morris P, Sae-Ow W. (2019). Low grade intracranial Meningioma presenting with pulmonary metastasis: Case report and literature review. Pathol Res Pract; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prp.2019.03.018.
Bononi A, Giorgi C, Patergnani S, Larson D, Verbruggen K, Tanji M, Pelligrini L, Signorato V, Olivetto F, Pastorino S, Nasu M, Napolitano A, Gaudino G, Morris P, Sakamoto G, Ferris LK, Danese A, Raimondi A, Tacchetti C, Kuchay S, Pass HI, Affar EB, Yang H, Pinton P, Carbone M. (2017). BAP1 regulates IP3R3 – mediated Ca2+ fluxinto mitochondria suppressing cell transformation. Nature;June;546(7659); 549-553.
Friedman E, Chawla N, Morris P, Castro K, Carrigan A, Prabhu Das I, Clauser S. (2015). Assessing the Development of Multidisciplinary Care: Experience of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP). J Oncol Pract;June; 11(1):e36-43.
Publication list via PubMed
Active Grants
P. Morris, Physician Site Lead/Cooperative Group Lead/CCDR Lead
NCI Grant Hawaiʻi Minority Underserved NCORP
2019 - 2025
