International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Appoints Chandra P. Belani, M.D. as new Chief Science Officer

December 2, 2019--Denver—The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer today named Chandra P. Belani, M.D. as its new chief science officer (CSO).

As CSO, Dr. Belani will direct, guide and support the IASLC scientific strategy, including, but not limited to, scientific research projects, publications, educational content for conferences and educational offerings for members.In this role, Dr. Belani will also serve as a spokesperson for the IASLC at conferences, with the media and in meetings with industry partners and donors.

“Dr. Belani joins the IASLC at an exciting time both for the organization and the field,” said Dave Mesko, CEO of the IASLC. “Chandra has established himself as a leader in the field and his expertise will guide and further shape our scientific projects and programming, ensuring that the IASLC remains at the forefront of the thoracic oncology field. We are excited to welcome his kindness, knowledge and track record of mentorship to the IASLC at this pivotal time.”

Dr. Belani is currently professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology in the Department of Medicine at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA. Dr. Belani also worked in several positions at the Penn State College of Medicine as deputy director of the Penn State Cancer Institute, associate director of Clinical Research and Director of the Lung Cancer Program.

Prior to that he served in multiple leadership positions at University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute in Pittsburgh, PA including director of Community Oncology, co-director of the Lung Cancer Program and co-director of the Experimental Therapeutics Program. His research accomplishments in the areas of lung cancer and new drug development have led to changes in treatment paradigms. Interacting with experts across the world, he has developed and identified novel therapeutic strategies that have been approved and adopted as ‘standards of care’ for the management of lung cancer.

“At the IASLC, the chief science officer position provides me with a unique opportunity to give, contribute and grow the organization. I am embarking on this challenge with the spirit of dedication, inspiration and motivation to improve the quality of the educational, research and scientific programs in collaboration with the IASLC members worldwide,” Dr. Belani said. “In my role as CSO, I hope to develop a cohesive communications plan and ensure that the information released is consistent with the strategy at large, and work towards the ultimate goal of improving lung cancer outcomes.”

Dr. Belani is a graduate of Sawai Man Singh Medical College, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India. After completing his residency in internal medicine, he was a fellow in Hematology and Oncology at the University of Maryland from 1985 to 1988. He joined the faculty at the University of Maryland Cancer Center thereafter and served as assistant professor of Medicine and Oncology, director, Thoracic Oncology at the University of Maryland Medical School in Baltimore. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Internal Medicine Oncology and holds memberships in the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Association of Cancer Research and the IASLC.

Dr. Belani’s experience working with peer-reviewed oncology journals will help him provide direction on research to the association. He has served as a consultant or advisor on several medicine and oncology journals. “I started a new journal, Clinical Lung Cancer, and made it a successful venture. This experience will be valuable in coordinating various scientific publications of the IASLC and working closely with the editorial teams,” Dr. Belani said.

About the IASLC:

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) is the only global organization dedicated solely to the study of lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies. Founded in 1974, the association's membership includes more than 7,500 lung cancer specialists across all disciplines in over 100 countries, forming a global network working together to conquer lung and thoracic cancers worldwide. The association also publishes the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the primary educational and informational publication for topics relevant to the prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of all thoracic malignancies. Visit www.iaslc.org for more information.