One of the most significant changes is the appointment of Dr. Vinai Gondi as the Chair of the NRG Brain Tumor Committee, effective March 1, 2026. Dr. Gondi, a renowned radiation oncologist and clinician-scientist, specializes in brain tumors, including primary and metastatic lesions. His innovative work on hippocampal avoidance during whole-brain radiotherapy (HA-WBRT) has revolutionized neuro-oncological treatments by minimizing cognitive decline, a common side effect of conventional brain radiation. This technique, tested in landmark clinical trials such as RTOG 0933 and NRG-CC001, exemplifies how precise targeting in radiation oncology can preserve neurological function without compromising tumor control.

Dr. Gondi’s role as Service Line Director of Radiation Oncology at Northwestern Medicine’s Proton Center showcases his expertise in proton therapy, an advanced modality that uses charged particles to deliver radiation with high precision, sparing healthy tissue and reducing toxicity. His leadership in NCI-sponsored phase II and III trials has advanced understanding of both survival benefits and neurocognitive outcomes in brain tumor patients, underscoring the critical balance between therapeutic effectiveness and quality of life. His contributions have also influenced national guidelines through major professional societies including ASTRO, ASCO, and SNO, making him a cornerstone figure in neuro-oncology.

Assuming the Chair position of the NRG Ancillary Projects Committee is Dr. Bridget Koontz, effective November 1, 2025. Dr. Koontz is a distinguished radiation oncologist whose research focuses on genitourinary malignancies, particularly prostate cancer. Her investigations into radiation-induced erectile dysfunction have provided vital insights into minimizing treatment-related toxicity while preserving sexual function, an area of growing importance given the long survivorship of prostate cancer patients. Moreover, she has been at the forefront of research into novel radiopharmaceuticals and the therapeutic challenge of oligometastatic prostate cancer, influencing national clinical trial designs and protocols.

Dr. Koontz’s leadership experience encompasses roles as Medical Director at AdventHealth Cancer Institute and former Chief Medical Officer at GenesisCare USA, highlighting her operational and clinical expertise in radiation oncology services. As Principal Investigator of the ongoing NRG-GU011 “NRG PROMETHEAN” trial, she steers efforts to optimize radiotherapy in patients with limited metastatic disease. Her role embodies the integration of clinical leadership with cutting-edge research aimed at refining personalized cancer therapy.

Dr. Priya Rastogi is set to take the helm as Chair of the NRG Breast Cancer Committee starting March 1, 2026. A professor at the University of Pittsburgh and chief executive of the NSABP Foundation, Dr. Rastogi brings over two decades of experience in medical oncology with a focus on early-stage breast cancer treatment. Her leadership in Phase II and III trials has been instrumental in the adoption of therapies such as trastuzumab for HER2-positive breast cancer and abemaciclib for hormone receptor-positive disease, therapies that have significantly improved survival outcomes.

Her extensive involvement with international research organizations and steering committees reflects her influence on shaping clinical trial design and guidelines. Dr. Rastogi’s dual role as a clinician and researcher allows her to bridge the gap between laboratory research and bedside applications. Her presence on the NRG Board of Directors and auxiliary committees further exemplifies her commitment to fostering translational research that prioritizes patient-centered outcomes.

The appointment of Lisa Lenrow, MBA, as Vice Chair of the NRG Patient Advocate Committee marks an important infusion of patient-centered leadership into the organization. With over 25 years of expertise in biopharmaceutical marketing and patient engagement strategies, Ms. Lenrow’s unique perspective as both a strategic consultant and a caregiver to a brain tumor patient provides her with unparalleled insight into patient advocacy. Her involvement with organizations such as the National Brain Tumor Society and institutional review boards ensures that patient voices are integral to clinical research design and implementation.

Ms. Lenrow’s work extends beyond traditional marketing into health policy, grant review, and public advocacy, demonstrating the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in oncology research. Her contributions help balance scientific pursuits with the lived realities of patients and caregivers, an essential element in enhancing clinical trial accessibility and relevance.

These leadership transitions reflect NRG Oncology’s strategic emphasis on integrating cutting-edge scientific research with patient-centered care delivery. The incoming chairs bring expertise in radiation oncology, medical oncology, translational research, and advocacy, positioning the organization to tackle complex problems in cancer therapy—from neurocognitive preservation in brain tumors to minimizing toxicity in genitourinary cancers, and improving survival in breast cancer.

The outgoing leaders—Dr. Minesh Mehta (Brain Tumor), Dr. Eleftherios ‘Terry’ Mamounas (Breast Cancer), and Dr. Steven Waggoner (Ancillary Projects)—have left a lasting legacy in shaping the committees’ robust research frameworks. Their dedication fostered pivotal clinical trials and collaborative networks that continue to underpin NRG Oncology’s mission.

NRG Oncology remains at the forefront of oncology research as a multi-institutional network conducting translational and clinical studies that directly impact standards of care. Founded in 2012 through the consolidation of the NSABP, RTOG, and GOG programs, NRG brings together a multidisciplinary team spanning medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, physicists, pathologists, and statisticians across more than 1,300 sites worldwide. This comprehensive network facilitates the development of gender-specific and locality-driven cancer interventions, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of treatments.

The evolving leadership will harness this extensive infrastructure, pushing forward investigations with practical clinical endpoints such as survival, toxicity reduction, and quality of life improvements. Their work exemplifies the translation of scientific discovery into tangible benefits for cancer patients and exemplifies the promise of collaborative, multi-center clinical trials under the aegis of the National Cancer Institute’s National Clinical Trials Network.

As these leaders assume their new roles, NRG Oncology’s trajectory towards groundbreaking cancer research and patient-centric innovation is assured. These developments signal exciting advancements for oncology professionals, researchers, and patients globally, fueling hope for more effective, less toxic treatment paradigms in the years to come.

Subject of Research: Leadership changes in oncology research committees; advancements in brain tumor, genitourinary, and breast cancer clinical trials; patient advocacy in cancer research.

Article Title: Transforming Cancer Care: NRG Oncology’s New Leadership Poised to Advance Clinical Research and Patient Outcomes

News Publication Date: Not specified within the provided content.

Web References:
https://www.nrgoncology.org/Current-Openings

Keywords: Cancer research, Clinical research, Brain tumor, Neuro-oncology, Radiation oncology, Prostate cancer, Breast cancer, Clinical trials, Patient advocacy, National Cancer Institute, Neurocognitive outcomes, Radiopharmaceuticals

Dr. Julie Bauman’s elevation to Deputy Chair marks a significant moment in the governance of the NRG NCORP Research Base. Replacing Dr. Lisa Kachnic, who ascended to the role of Multi-Principal Investigator (MPI) within the NCORP, Dr. Bauman’s extensive background in cancer prevention and head and neck oncology informs her strategic leadership responsibilities. Dr. Bauman’s dual role as Chair of the NRG Cancer Prevention Committee and her membership on the NRG Head and Neck Cancer Committee underscores her multidisciplinary expertise. Her leadership of landmark clinical trials such as NRG-HN003, focusing on optimized radiotherapeutic regimens for head and neck malignancies, and NRG-RTOG 1216, analyzing innovative chemoradiation strategies, highlights her specialized knowledge and influence within the research collective.

Beyond her NRG Oncology commitments, Dr. Bauman serves as the Dr. Cyrus Katzen Family Director of the George Washington University Cancer Center, in addition to holding academic appointments as Associate Dean of Cancer and Professor of Medicine at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Her role as MPI and Medical Director of the University of Arizona Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials Network further extends her reach into early-phase trials aimed at evaluating chemopreventive agents. These trials importantly focus on surrogate biomarker modulation, a sophisticated approach that allows for the assessment of preventive interventions at a molecular and cellular level across various organ systems, thereby contributing to cancer interception strategies prior to overt clinical disease.

Dr. Bauman is also intricately involved in steering national cancer prevention policy and research prioritization through her co-chairmanship of the NCI Cancer Prevention Steering Committee. This committee articulates research frameworks and guides funding mechanisms for cancer prevention studies, underscoring Dr. Bauman’s strategic influence over the future direction of cancer interception paradigms. Additionally, her co-leadership of the Previously Untreated Locally Advanced Task Force of the NCI Head and Neck Cancer Steering Committee reflects a focused commitment to refining therapeutic interventions in difficult-to-treat malignant subsets, employing evidence-based approaches that integrate radiation oncology, medical oncology, and biomolecular insights.

Concurrently, Dr. Ryan Burri’s appointment as Vice Chair of the VA-MTF Subcommittee replaces Maria Kelly, who recently vacated the post. Dr. Burri’s background as a radiation oncologist at the Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Healthcare System situates him at a critical intersection between veteran healthcare delivery and oncology clinical research. His initiative to establish Bay Pines as the nation’s first VA NRG primary member site exemplifies leadership in expanding access to cutting-edge clinical trials for veteran populations. His stewardship of multiple NRG clinical trials including NRG-CC005 “FORTE,” NRG-GU009 “PREDICT-RT,” NRG-GU010 “GUIDANCE,” and NRG-HN009 reflects an active research portfolio spanning genitourinary and head and neck cancers.

In addition to his role with NRG Oncology, Dr. Burri holds the position of Assistant Chief of Radiation Oncology Services at the Charles Walter Young VA Medical Center and maintains clinical responsibilities as a staff physician. His participation in professional societies, particularly the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), informs his approach to integrating innovative radiation delivery techniques and clinical trial findings into practice. Furthermore, his leadership as local Principal Investigator for pivotal studies such as the KRYSTAL-7 lung cancer trial and other prostate cancer investigations like the VA STARPORT, ONCOMINE, and CHOMP studies, reflects a broad engagement with translational and therapeutic research efforts beyond the NRG purview.

The strategic realignment within NRG Oncology’s leadership underscores the organization’s dedication to advancing multi-institutional clinical trials that dissect the complexities inherent in cancer biology and treatment response. NRG Oncology’s integrated research network, rooted in the historical legacies of NSABP, RTOG, and GOG, continues to emphasize clinical and translational research with a focus on gender-specific malignancies such as breast, gynecologic, and prostate cancers, as well as diverse localized and locally advanced tumors. The broad spectrum of multidisciplinary investigators—including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, and biostatisticians—collaborates across more than 1,300 research sites predominantly within North America to pioneer practice-changing protocols.

The critical role NRG Oncology plays within the National Clinical Trials Network is underscored by its receipt of substantive financial support from the NCI, facilitating the conduction of phase II and III clinical trials designed to refine standards of care and explore novel therapeutic combinations. This robust infrastructure enables researchers like Drs. Bauman and Burri to implement scientifically rigorous studies that incorporate molecular profiling, biomarker development, and adaptive trial designs, thereby enhancing precision oncology initiatives.

Both Dr. Bauman and Dr. Burri’s leadership epitomize the increasing convergence of bench-to-bedside research translational efforts, emphasizing biomarker-driven prevention and treatment strategies. Dr. Bauman’s expertise in chemoprevention introduces the potential for molecular-targeted interventions aimed at halting carcinogenesis, while Dr. Burri’s proficiency in radiation oncology facilitates innovation in modality optimization and integration with systemic therapies tailored for veteran populations with unique comorbidity profiles.

NRG Oncology’s ongoing commitment to fostering research excellence is reflected in its current leadership openings, which present opportunities for emerging leaders to contribute to pivotal clinical studies and committee functions. Through such mechanisms, the organization ensures sustained momentum in cancer research progress and clinical impact.

The integration of these new leadership members promises to reinforce NRG Oncology’s mission to translate scientific discovery into meaningful clinical outcomes, ultimately improving survival rates and quality of life for individuals afflicted with cancer. Their multidimensional approach—encompassing prevention, localized treatment, and systemic therapy—embodies the evolving paradigm of cancer care, leveraging technological advancements in genomics, imaging, and radiation physics.

These appointments signal a vibrant future for NRG Oncology, as the organization adapts to the intricacies of contemporary oncology research, including challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity, resistance mechanisms, and disparities in healthcare access. By embracing multidisciplinary collaboration and innovative trial designs under visionary leadership, NRG Oncology remains at the forefront of the quest to conquer cancer.

Subject of Research: Clinical and translational cancer research focusing on cancer prevention, head and neck cancers, veteran oncology care, and multi-center clinical trials coordination.

Article Title: Leadership Transitions at NRG Oncology: Advancing Multicenter Clinical Cancer Research Through Strategic Expertise

News Publication Date: (Not explicitly provided in the source content)

Web References:

• http://www.NRGOncology.org/Current-Openings
• http://www.nrgoncology.org

Keywords:
NRG Oncology, National Cancer Institute, NCI, National Clinical Trials Network, NCORP, cancer prevention, head and neck cancer, veteran affairs, radiation oncology, chemoprevention, clinical trials, cancer research leadership