I am a Professor in Medical Oncology and Radiation Medicine (joint appointment) at the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Markey Cancer Center (MCC) with major research interests in experimental therapeutics and clinical and translational studies of lung and head and neck cancers, and biomarker-driven early phase clinical trials in drug development. I have 24 years of experience as a medical oncologist and clinical researcher, having written and conducted over 16 investigator-initiated clinical trials in lung and head and neck cancer. I am a co-investigator and sub-contract principal investigator of a UM1 grant funded through the Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (ETCTN) in collaboration with The Ohio State University (see ongoing projects below). With colleagues at the University of Kentucky, I have developed and performed the first-in-human trials of low-dose radiation as a potentiator of chemotherapy in head and neck cancer. I have also participated in numerous cooperative-group trials and I serve on the Lung Cancer and Early Therapeutics Committees for the Southwest Oncology Group. I was the national co-PI of S1400K, a phase II Study of ABBV-399 in Patients with c-MET Positive Stage IV or Recurrent Squamous Cell Lung Cancer (LUNG-MAP Sub-Study). I led a large case-control study in Southeastern Kentucky, engaging over 500 people and assessing risk factors for lung cancer, including trace element, radon and tobacco exposure. I have over 24 years of experience training trainees and junior faculty on clinical trial design and clinical translational studies in refractory cancers, including lung and head and neck cancers, and supportive care trials including trials written and performed with Dr. Warren and Dr. Valentino focused on tobacco cessation. From 2013-2025, I held the position of Associate Director of Clinical Translation in the Markey Cancer Center, I currently the Program Leader of the Markey Translational Oncology Program and am also the Buck-Kentucky Lung Cancer Research Chair. I mentor junior faculty and fellows in all aspects of clinical research and assist other investigators with the development of investigator-initiated clinical trials. I serve on the Markey Director’s Council, Markey IIT Executive Steering Committee, Markey Cancer Center Research Network Steering Committee, and the Executive Committee of the Markey Cancer Center Molecular Tumor Board (MTB). I have served on the MTB since 2016 and am a member of the Lung, Head and Neck, and Early Therapeutics Clinical Care and Research Teams at MCC.