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Faculty and staff of Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) continue to earn recognition for leadership, innovation, and meaningful contributions to cancer research, prevention, and care. These highlights of recent awards and appointments underscore the institute’s impact across basic science, population health, community engagement, communications and public affairs, and clinical care. Faculty and staff of Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) continue to earn recognition for leadership, innovation, and meaningful contributions to cancer research, prevention, and care. These highlights of recent awards and appointments underscore the institute’s impact across basic science, population health, community engagement, communications and public affairs, and clinical care.
Sachin Apte, MD, MS, MBA, Recognized as a 2026 Great Leader in Healthcare
Sachin Apte, MD, MS, MBA, chief clinical officer of Huntsman Cancer Institute, physician in chief of the cancer hospital, and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the U, was recognized on Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2026 list of Great Leaders in Healthcare. This annual recognition honors healthcare leaders across the country who drive innovation, advance quality, and strengthen organizational excellence within their institutions. Apte was nominated for his leadership in clinical operations and his commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered cancer care.
Heloisa Soares, MD, PhD, Named a 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Advocacy Champion
Heloisa Soares, MD, PhD, selected as one of the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Advocacy Champion for her dedication to advocating on behalf of cancer care providers, patients, and researchers by engaging and educating lawmakers on policies that ensure patients have access to high-quality cancer care.
Dekker Deacon, MD, PhD, FAAD, Received Melanoma Research Alliance Funding
Dekker Deacon, MD, PhD, FAAD, Huntsman Cancer Institute physician-scientist and assistant professor of dermatology at the U, received funding from the Melanoma Research Alliance to study immunotherapy response in acral melanoma. His work uses advanced tissue analysis to better understand which patients are more likely to respond to treatment and to identify biological patterns linked to more aggressive forms of this rare type of melanoma.
Kensaku Kawamoto, MD, PhD, Received Presidential Societal Impact Scholar Recognition
Kensaku Kawamoto, MD, PhD, researcher at Huntsman Cancer Institute and chief health AI transformation officer and professor of biomedical informatics at the U, was named a 2026 Presidential Societal Impact Scholar at the University of Utah. The designation recognized faculty whose work addresses pressing societal challenges and advances the public good through research, policy, and community engagement.
Benjamin Myers, PhD, Received 2026 Research Excellence/Impact Award
Benjamin Myers, PhD, investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate professor of oncological sciences at the U, was named a recipient of the 2026 Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine Warren and Jessica Cannon Research Excellence/Impact Award. The honor recognized outstanding faculty members within 10 years of their first faculty appointment who make significant contributions to research excellence and impact. Myers’ research explores how cells communicate, how these signaling processes guide tissue and organ development, and how their disruption can contribute to congenital birth defects and cancer.
Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO, to Serve on the ASCO Nominating Committee
Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO, Presidential Endowed Chair of Cancer Research at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of internal medicine at the U, was elected to serve on the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Nominating Committee. In this national leadership role, Agarwal will help shape the future governance of ASCO by participating in the selection of candidates for key elected positions within the organization. His appointment reflects the trust of colleagues across the global oncology community and recognizes his ongoing contributions to cancer research, mentorship, and professional service.
Natasha Pavlova, PhD, Named a National Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize Recipient
Natasha Pavlova, PhD, investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute and assistant professor of oncological sciences at the U, was named a 2026 Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize recipient, joining a highly competitive national cohort of early-career investigators. The $750,000 award supports bold, high-impact cancer research and reflects national recognition of Pavlova’s scientific contributions to understanding the role of nutrition in tumor growth.
Srinivas Tantravahi, MBBS, MCRP, Selected as Binaytara’s 2026 Volunteer of the Year
Srinivas Tantravahi, MBBS, MCRP, a hematologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate professor of internal medicine at the U, was named Binaytara’s 2026 Volunteer of the Year for his dedication to advancing cancer health advancing fair access to cancer care. The national recognition honors his leadership in global oncology education and his volunteer efforts to improve access to cancer care for underserved communities.
Meredith Rae Vehar, MPA, Elected Chair of the Cancer Marketing and Communications Association
Meredith Rae Vehar, MPA, director of communications at Huntsman Cancer Institute, was named chair of the Cancer Marketing and Communications Association. CMCA is a professional network for communications and marketing professionals working in oncology at NCI-designated and AACI cancer centers. Her appointment reflects leadership impact in cancer communications and professional service within the field.
Public Affairs and Communications Team Earned Recognition at Cancer Marketing and Communications Association 2026 Conference
Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Public Affairs and Communications team earned recognition at the Cancer Marketing and Communications Association’s 2026 conference in Toronto through the poster showcase. Heather Simonsen, MA, senior manager of Public Affairs at Huntsman Cancer Institute, and Amy Olsen, social media specialist at Huntsman Cancer Institute, won Best In Show and First Place for their "Speak Up for Cancer Research” campaign. Vianney Alcala, internal communications specialist, won First Place in events and partnership for her “New Year Social: A Hub-and-Spoke Approach to Employee Events Across a Complex Workforce” poster.
As an organization, Huntsman Cancer Institute earned recognition for excellence in care delivery, nursing, and community collaboration. The institute was named one of Nursegrid’s Great Workplaces for Nurses, an honor based on direct feedback from working nurses. Huntsman Cancer Institute and Huntsman Cancer Foundation were also recognized through the Angel Flight West Endeavor Awards for helping patients and families across the Mountain West access specialized cancer care by reducing travel-related barriers.
The critical research happening every day at Huntsman Cancer Institute is supported by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, including cancer center support grant P30 CA042014, as well as Huntsman Cancer Foundation.
Media Contact
Heather Simonsen
Public Affairs Senior Manager
Huntsman Cancer Institute
801 581-3194
public.affairs@hci.utah.edu
About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering the most advanced cancer healing and prevention through scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology to create pioneering cancer treatments beyond the standard of care today. We have more than 400 open clinical trials and more than 300 research teams studying cancer. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient’s unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.