Paul B. Fisher, MPh, PhD, FNAI, Professor and Chairman, Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Director, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine Thelma Newmeyer Corman Chair in Cancer Research in the VCU Massey Cancer Center, VCU, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, and Emeritus Professor, Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY. Dr. Fisher is among the top 10% of NIH funded investigators over the past 35-years, published approximately 625 papers and reviews, and has 55 issued patents. He pioneered novel gene/discovery approaches (subtraction hybridization), developed innovative therapeutic approaches (Cancer Terminator Viruses), presented numerous named and distinguished lectures, founded several start-up companies, was Virginia Outstanding Scientist of 2014 and elected to the National Academy of Inventors in 2018. Dr. Fisher is a prominent nationally and internationally recognized cancer research scientist focusing on understanding the molecular and biochemical basis of cancer development and progression to metastasis and using this garnered information to develop innovative approaches for diagnosing and treating cancer. He discovered and patented novel genes and gene promoters relevant to cancer growth control, differentiation and apoptosis. His discoveries include the first cloning of p21 (CDK inhibitor), human polynucleotide phosphorylase, mda-9/syntenin (a pro-metastatic gene), mda-5 and mda-7/IL-24, which has shown promising clinical activity in Phase I/II clinical trials in patients with advanced cancers. Dr. Fisher alsohas a documented track record as a successful seasoned entrepreneur. He was Founder and Director of GenQuest Incorporated, a functional genomics company, which merged with Corixa Corporation in 1998, traded on NASDAQ and was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline in 2006. He discovered the cancer-specific PEG-Prom, which is the core technology of Cancer Targeting Systems (CTS, Inc.), a Virginia/Maryland-based company (at Johns Hopkins Medical Center) focusing on imaging and therapy (“theranostics) of metastatic cancer (2014) by Drs. Fisher and Martin G. Pomper. He co-founded InVaMet Therapeutics (IVMT) and InterLeukin Combinatorial Therapies (ILCT) with Dr. Webster K. Cavenee (UCSD) (2017/2018). Dr. Mariza Daras is an Associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery and the Chief of Neuro-oncology at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center in Richmond, Virginia. She began her academic medical career at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, where she received her medical degree. After completing her Neurology residency at Duke University Medical Center and a Neuro-oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering, she served as faculty in the Department of Neurology at Memorial Sloan Kettering. She subsequently took on a faculty position in the Division of Neuro-oncology at the University of California San Francisco where she spearheaded a CNS metastasis multidisciplinary program. In 2019, she joined VCU to lead the Division of Neuro-oncology. Dr. Daras has focused her research efforts on clinical trials for patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors, and specifically in the development of novel immunotherapeutic and combinatorial strategies. She has also dedicated her time to teaching and mentoring medical school students, residents, fellows, and advanced practice providers and is the Program Director of the VCU neuro-oncology fellowship. She is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the United Council of Neurologic Subspecialties for neuro-oncology. Dr. Daras is a member of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO), and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). She is an appointed member of AAN’s Committee on Public Engagement, as well as the AAN, Committee on Brain Health. She also serves as appointed member of the SNO Diversity and Women Committee, as well as the SNO/ASCO CNS Metastases Annual Conference.
