Dr. Rachna Shroff Elected to ASCO Nominating Committee

Rachna T. Shroff, MD, associate professor of medicine and associate dean of clinical and translational research at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, chief of the Section of Gastrointestinal (GI) Medical Oncology, and leader of the UArizona Cancer Center GI Clinical Research Team, has been elected to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Nominating Committee. Members of this committee are responsible for developing a slate of candidates for elected ASCO positions.

“This is a tremendous honor to me because ASCO has played such a formative part in my career development as an academic oncologist,” Dr. Shroff said. “I am humbled to be elected to this role by my peers. In this new position, I will help ASCO select its future leaders, and I love this feeling of ‘paying it forward’ and creating the next generation of oncology leadership. We have so much work to do in our fight against cancer, and ASCO plays a pivotal role in this battle.”

Dr. Shroff’s research focuses on clinical and translational research in pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancers. “I spend most of my time writing and designing clinical trials that are aimed at increasing therapeutic options for these deadly malignancies,” Dr. Shroff explained. “I came into this career through taking care of these patients. My inspiration truly comes from the clinic. Cancer is a journey, and holding these patients’ hands and giving them hope by pushing the envelope and moving the needle forward is all the motivation I need to keep fighting.”

Dr. Shroff, who also is the medical director of the Arizona Clinical Trials Network (ACTN) at the Cancer Center, joined the College of Medicine – Tucson faculty in April 2018. She describes this move as a turning point in her career.

“This institution has given me incredible support to do the research I want to do and to bring together incredible minds in GI cancer to make that research happen. The leadership opportunities I have had at the Cancer Center and College of Medicine – Tucson have given me great insight into clinical research and how to ensure we are bringing cutting edge science to our clinics.”

“There is no way to achieve success without incredible mentors and sponsors,” Dr. Shroff added. “I am so grateful to Dr. Julie Bauman for recruiting me and opening my eyes to a fantastic opportunity to lead and grow a GI cancer program. Dr. Joann Sweasy has been a wonderful mentor and sponsor as a female Cancer Center Director, a brilliant scientist and someone who has opened doors for me to various leadership roles. And finally, Drs. Michael Dake, Michael Abecassis and Monica Kraft have been incredible in their support.”

Founded in 1964, ASCO is the world's leading professional organization for physicians and oncology professionals caring for people with cancer. Dr. Shroff will begin serving a three-year term on the ASCO Nominating Committee in June 2022.