Andrew Kraft, MD, Director, Hollings Cancer Center

Andrew S. Kraft, M.D.
Director Hollings Cancer Center
Email: kraft@musc.edu
Phone: 843-792-8284
Location: Hollings Cancer Center Building 124H

Dr. Kraft, a medical oncologist and nationally recognized researcher, was appointed Director of Hollings Cancer Center in 2004. He leads HCC's research and administrative efforts. Dr. Kraft is a Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology as well as Associate Dean of Oncologic Affairs at MUSC.  He also holds the distinguished William H. Folk Chair in Experimental Oncology.

His research focus is targeted in the areas of prostate cancer, sarcomas, and novel cancer drug development, and he has been continuously funded since 1990 from the NCI, Department of Defense and Prostate Cancer Research Foundation.

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Anthony J. Alberg, PhD, Associate Director of Prevention and Control

Dr. Anthony J. Alberg, formerly of The John Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, has held the Blatt-Ness Chair in Oncology and the title of Associate Director of Cancer Prevention and Control at HCC since 2006.  He is also Associate Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology.

Dr. Alberg’s primary research interests are in cigarette smoking, including the health effects of secondhand smoke, etiology of tobacco-associated malignancies, and tobacco prevention and control.  His additional interest in diet and cancer is reflected in recently completed systematic reviews of the evidence on diet and cancers of the lung and nasopharynx; and multivitamin/mineral supplements for the prevention of chronic disease. 

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Daniel J. Fernandes, PhD, Associate Director of Translational Research

Daniel J. Fernandes, Ph.D., D.Sc.
Associate Director of Translational Research
Email: fernand@musc.edu
Phone: 843-792-1449
Location: Hollings Cancer Building 712

Daniel J. Fernandes, PhD, DSc, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, is Associate Director of Translational Research at HCC. His role includes assisting basic scientists in establishing direct links to clinical investigators who can assist in the translation of preclinical research; and in developing successful relationships with pharmaceutical companies to bring science forward to the clinical setting. 

Dr. Fernandes' research has been continuously funded by the NCI for 30 years. He also serves as the principal investigator on a program project grant sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  This is a comprehensive, translational research program that integrates basic and clinical studies aimed at identifying the molecular changes that lead to the development of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

His research career has focused on the mechanisms of action and resistance of anticancer drugs, and on the development new anticancer agents. These studies led to the development of two FDA approved drugs, Fludarabine and Ethyol.

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Marvella E. Ford, PhD, Associate Director of Cancer Disparities

Marvella E. Ford, Ph.D.
Associate Director of Cancer Disparities
Email: fordmar@musc.edu
Phone: 843-876-1116
Location: Hollings Cancer Center Building 124A

Dr. Marvella E. Ford, Associate Professor of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, is Associate Director of Cancer Disparities at HCC. Her role includes developing a program to enhance community outreach efforts to address the critical problem of cancer disparities in the region.

Dr. Ford graduated from Cornell University in 1986 with a BS in Human Service Studies and earned her Masters in Social Work, Masters in Social Psychology, and PhD in Social Work and Psychology from the University of Michigan. Her Postdoctoral Fellowship in Public Health and Aging was also completed at the University of Michigan.

Prior to joining MUSC in 2006, Dr. Ford was Associate Research Scientist at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, MI and Associate Director and Assistant Professor at the Houston Center for Quality Care and Utilization Studies at Baylor College of Medicine. 

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Yusuf A. Hannun, MD, Associate Director of Basic Sciences

Yusuf A. Hannun, M.D.
Associate Director of Basic Sciences
Email: hannun@musc.edu
Phone: 843-792-9318
Location: Basic Science Building 501A

Dr. Hannun is the Ralph F. Hirschman Professor of Biomedical Research and the Deputy Director of the Hollings Cancer Center and the Chair of the MUSC Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.  Dr. Hannun provides broad leadership across the research spectrum at HCC. In 2006, he received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Science.  The Award, established in 1985, promotes awareness of the quality and breadth of scientific activity in the state and honors South Carolinians who make outstanding contributions to science.

For more than 20 years, Dr. Hannun’s research has focused on the study of lipids (fat molecules) and their role in cancer and cell regulation. With more than 320 publications, Dr. Hannun is a leading initiator and primary mover in the field of bioactive sphingolipids. His work has unlocked the secrets of sphingolipids and has established this area of research as a unique activity at MUSC and HCC.

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Carolyn E. Reed, MD, Associate Director of Medical Affairs

Carolyn E. Reed, M.D.
Associate Director of Medical Affairs
Email: reedce@musc.edu
Phone:843-792-3362
Location: Clinical Sciences Building 418

Dr. Reed, Professor of Surgery and Associate Director of Medical Affairs at HCC, has served in a leadership capacity for the Center since its inception, including as interim director. 

Dr. Reed received her MD degree with Honor and Distinction in Research from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in 1977.  She did her general surgical residency at The New York Hospital. She also is Chief, Section of General Thoracic Surgery and holds the Alice Ruth Reeves Folk Chair in Clinical Oncology.  Her research interests include lung cancer and esophageal cancer.

Dr. Reed has served nine years on the editorial board of the Annals of Thoracic Surgery. She is past Chair of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, past president of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, and Treasurer of the  Society of  Thoracic Surgeons.

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Steven A. Rosenzweig, PhD, Assistant Director of Shared Resources

Dr. Rosenzweig is Professor and Director of Graduate Training in the Department Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Assistant Director of Shared Resources. 

Dr. Rosenzweig oversees the ongoing evaluation, development and growth of HCC-supported shared research resources at the HCC.  These shared research provide access to critical technologies, services and consultation that enhance scientific interaction and productivity. 

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Melanie B. Thomas, M.D., FACP

Melanie B. Thomas, MD, Associate Director of Clinical Investigations

Associate Director for Clinical Investigations
Email: thomasmb@musc.edu
Phone:843-792-5085
Location: Hollings Cancer Center Building 118K

Dr. Thomas, a medical oncologist and renowned liver cancer researcher, joined Hollings Cancer Center in 2008. She holds the Grace E. DeWolff Chair Endowed  Chair as part of the Center of Economic Excellence in Gastrointestinal Malignancies at MUSC. 

Dr. Thomas was recruited from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Her focus includes increasing patient participation in clinical trials, optimizing the HCC's clinical  research  capabilities and opportunities and expanding the HCC Clinical Trials Network. 

Dr. Thomas' clinical research focus includes developing effective systemic therapies for patients with cancers of the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts (hepatobiliary tumors) using novel or “targeted” therapies.  Her work has lead to multi-institutional , randomized clinical trials of novel drugs in hepatocellular cancer, which are now available at MUSC-HCC.

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