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I am a surgical oncologist specializing in malignant melanoma and soft tissue sarcomas with a longstanding commitment to advancing cellular therapy for patients with advanced solid tumors. My interest in adoptive cell therapy was cultivated under the mentorship of Dr. Steven Libutti and further strengthened at the Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute (SB-NIH), where I gained firsthand experience in cellular therapy. Since then, my career has focused on translating innovative science into clinical practice by developing multidisciplinary programs that deliver novel cellular therapies safely and effectively.
My clinical and translational research efforts have centered on the development and implementation of cellular therapies for patients with advanced solid tumors. I have participated in the clinical development of adoptive cell therapies and served as a Co-Principal Investigator on clinical trials evaluating T-cell receptor (TCR)-engineered lymphocyte therapy for metastatic cancer. I played a key leadership role in establishing one of the early clinical Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) therapy programs following the FDA approval of lifileucel, developing the multidisciplinary infrastructure required to safely deliver this first-in-class cellular therapy for patients with advanced melanoma.
My experience implementing complex immunotherapy programs has demonstrated that successful cellular therapy extends far beyond the administration of treatment. It requires the development of institutional infrastructure, standardized clinical pathways, multidisciplinary education, regulatory compliance, quality oversight, and coordinated patient care across multiple specialties. Throughout my career, I have led educational initiatives for physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure the safe delivery of novel therapies while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.
As the Clinical Director of Cellular Therapy at the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, I lead the development and expansion of comprehensive cellular therapy programs, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy and other emerging adoptive cell therapies for solid tumors. My vision is to establish a nationally recognized center of excellence that integrates cutting-edge clinical care, innovative clinical trials, translational research, and multidisciplinary collaboration to expand access to transformative cellular therapies and improve outcomes for patients with advanced cancer.
Medical School
Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria
Internship
Mount Sinai School of Medicine at Cabrini Medical Center New York, NY
Residency
Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center New York, NY
Fellowship
Surgical Oncology at Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC
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