Antoinette R. Tan, MD, MHSc, a medical oncologist at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) and associate professor of medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, was recently named to serve as the Institute's Director of Phase I/Developmental Therapeutics by CINJ Director Robert S. DiPaola, MD. Clinical trials, often called clinical research studies, test new treatments and new ways of using existing treatments for cancer.  Phase I clinical trials in particular test metabolic and pharmacologic reaction of drugs in small groups of humans and help scientists measure safe dosing levels.  Dr. Tan joined CINJ in 2003 following completion of a medical oncology and clinical research fellowship at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). She is the principal investigator of several NCI Cancer Therapy and Evaluation Program-sponsored clinical trials as well as many industry-sponsored clinical trials.  In her new role as director of the Phase I program at CINJ, Dr. Tan will be responsible for identifying and developing new clinical trial opportunities and bringing those ideas to the clinic in a rapid fashion. 

Looking to gain further understanding about the impact of cancer on patients and families, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is expanding its Quality and Outcomes in Cancer Care (QOCC) Research Program by welcoming nationally-recognized population science researcher Sharon Manne, PhD.  Dr. Manne, a clinical psychologist who has been the recipient of major grant awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for her work in psychological aspects of cancer for the past 20 years was most recently a Professor at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. As the principal investigator of four studies funded through multiple R01 research grants from the NIH, Dr. Manne has extensive experience in developing and evaluating psychological interventions in the area to promote patient and family quality of life as well as promoting cancer screening practices among family members and cancer survivors. Studies she will direct at CINJ include a study examining whether certain types of psychological assistance will improve the well-being of women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer and whether women with early stage breast cancer and their partners benefit from two types of couples’ group counseling. She will also conduct other studies such as testing a psychological intervention to help parents adapt following a child’s bone marrow transplant; creating tailored intervention to improve skin surveillance and sun protection habits among families of melanoma patients; evaluating behavioral methods of facilitating colorectal screening among average risk couples who have not had screening; and developing a decisional aid for women undergoing mastectomy considering breast reconstruction.  Dr. Manne’s work is critically important to the future goals of CINJ including a greater emphasis on population science, and for the people and patients in the state of New Jersey.

The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) Foundation has named Christiana Foglio of Trenton and Edward J. McKenna, Jr., of Red Bank as the newest members of its Board of Trustees. In November 2009, Christiana Foglio was named President of Care One Companies, a $1.2 billion dollar senior care company with 16,000 employees. The role complements her long history in the provision of independent senior residences as the founder and CEO of Community Investment Strategies, Inc. (CIS), an affordable housing developer.  Ms. Foglio previously served in the administrations of two governors as executive director of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and served as chair of the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing.  She also owns and manages The Clare Estate, an assisted living community. Ms. Foglio is considered a driving force behind New Brunswick’s economic redevelopment, having served as Director of Policy Planning and Economic Development for the city, as well as president of the New Brunswick Development Corporation.  Edward J. McKenna, Jr., is the head of the Red Bank law firm of McKenna, DuPont, Higgins and Stone, which he established more than 30 years ago. A noted expert in various areas of law -- including labor and employment law, construction law and matrimonial law -- Mr. McKenna represents more than 50 financial institutions and a number of private businesses and real estate developers.   Mr. McKenna is also known as the longest-sitting mayor in the borough of Red Bank, having served in that position from 1990 to 2007.  While mayor, Mr. McKenna established Red Bank as a “Special Improvement District,” which enables local, small businesses to establish, manage, and finance themselves through a collective entity.  He also serves as the chair to the New Jersey State Planning Commission, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Red Bank Affordable Housing Corporation.