Bio Ascend, a Vaniam Group Company, Hosts Third Cohort of Next Wave Forum for Young Investigators in Thoracic Oncology

Twenty promising early-career clinical investigators join a year-long mentorship and training program led by renowned international leaders, aimed at shaping the future of lung cancer care.

ATLANTA, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bio Ascend, Vaniam Group's medical education company, recently launched the third cohort of its Academy of Next Wave of Investigators™ program. This initiative provides early-career clinical investigators with a unique year-long experience, combining live and virtual career development seminars led by esteemed international leaders in thoracic oncology. The program is designed to empower investigators with the tools, mentorship, and resources needed to elevate their research and improve patient care for those diagnosed with lung cancer.

"These remarkably talented early-career investigators will benefit from invaluable mentorship from the Next Wave faculty, propelling them toward becoming future leaders in thoracic oncology," said Kraig Steubing, Senior Vice President of Strategic Engagement at Vaniam Group. "Through expert guidance in areas such as research innovation, securing grants, refining presentation skills, career development, and cultivating leadership capabilities, the Academy ensures that these investigators are well-positioned to advance lung cancer care for both current and future generations. We are proud to collaborate with our distinguished faculty to support their growth."

A Powerful Launch in Atlanta

The 2025-2026 cohort kicked off the program with a dynamic 2-day conference held in Atlanta on May 9-10. During the event, distinguished faculty shared key strategies and insights to help investigators enhance their research and broaden their influence on the future of patient care. Following the conference, participants will engage in ongoing mentorship sessions with their assigned faculty advisors. Additionally, the entire cohort will reunite at a networking reception during the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in 2026, fostering collaboration and professional bonds.

Faculty Leadership Fuels Innovation

The Academy is guided by an exceptional faculty team comprised of renowned thought leaders in thoracic oncology, who also serve as mentors throughout the program's duration. Their commitment to advancing careers and research underscores Vaniam Group's mission to empower young investigators in shaping the future of lung cancer care.

Visionary Training to Advance Lung Cancer Care

"The Academy of Next Wave Investigators is a longitudinal experience that equips early-career clinical investigators with the career development skills necessary to drive innovative advances in thoracic oncology," said Dr Suresh Ramalingam, Executive Director of Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and Faculty Co-Chair of the program. "Participants in this highly-talented cohort are provided with expert guidance on research innovation, leadership development, and strategies to elevate patient care. It is an honor to collaborate with these promising investigators and to support their growth as future leaders in lung cancer research and treatment. Their contributions will undoubtedly shape the next phase of progress in this field."

The Next Wave Forum's early-career investigators, all nominated by their fellowship directors or established thought leaders, include:

• Anuja Abhyankar, MBBS, Fellow, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Omar Abughanimeh, MBBS, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology & Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center
• Jacqueline Aredo, MD, MS, Medical Oncology Fellow, Stanford University
• Wint Yan Aung, MD, MPH, Hematology and Oncology Fellow, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health
• Benjamin Bleiberg, MD, MS, Hematology-Oncology Fellow, Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
• Simone Dekker, MD, PhD, Fellow, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center & University of Washington
• Waqas Haque, MD, MPH, MPhil, Fellow, The University of Chicago
• Robert Hsu, MD, MSc, Assistant Professor, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Chinmay Tusharkumar Jani, MBBS, Fellow, Jackson Memorial Hospital & Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami
• Hyein Jeon, MD, Chief Fellow, Montefiore/Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Anam Kamal, MD, Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine
• So Yeon Kim, MD, Assistant Professor, Physician, Yale School of Medicine and Smilow Cancer Hospital
• Jonathan W. Lee, MD, MSc, Fellow, New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell
• Abner A. Murray, MD, PhD, Fellow, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Tamar B. Nobel, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Montefiore Medical Center
• Kelsey Pan, MD, MPH, Fellow, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Sadiq Rehmani, MBBS, Fellow, University of Michigan
• Dena Rhinehart, MD, Fellow, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center
• Sarah Waliany, MD, MS, Fellow, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Mass General Brigham, Harvard Medical School
• Shuai Wang, MD, MS, Fellow, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Leah Wells, MD, Fellow, University of Michigan

Future cohorts of the Academy of Next Wave of Investigators™ are being planned to support early-career researchers specializing in hematologic malignancies and diverse oncologic diseases. For more information, including details about the Next Wave faculty and future cohorts, visit www.bioascend.com/next-wave.

About Bio Ascend

Part of Vaniam Group, Bio Ascend is an independent medical education company committed to supporting healthcare providers in their efforts to translate innovative science into clinical practice. The Bio Ascend team has deep oncology and hematology expertise with a proven ability to distill complex scientific ideas into their essential components, as well as extensive experience in planning, executing, and assessing meaningful education for clinicians. For more information, visit www.BioAscend.com.

About Vaniam Group

As the premier medical communications leader, Vaniam Group fosters meaningful collaboration between biopharma innovators and the medical community. By seamlessly integrating strategic expertise with advanced technology, we empower our clients to unlock the full potential of their drug development and commercial portfolios, driving impactful outcomes across the healthcare community.

At Vaniam Group, we bridge the gap between biopharma innovators and healthcare providers (HCPs). With deep scientific expertise, actionable insights, and advanced technology—including AI-powered solutions—we help the leading biopharma companies connect with HCPs in ways that inspire trust, foster collaboration, and deliver results.

Rooted in high-science medical communications and a proven history of building meaningful relationships, we ensure your message resonates with the audiences who matter most. Our expertise spans oncology, hematology, cell therapy, rare diseases, metabolic disorders, immunology, and other pioneering areas, driving progress in some of the most critical fields in medicine.

Partner with Vaniam Group to amplify innovations, accelerate breakthroughs, and shape the future of healthcare. Learn more at: https://vaniamgroup.com. 

Media Contact:
Paige Brennecke
C-Suite Manager
paige@vaniamgroup.com

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