Nicole Simone Email & Phone Number

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Us

Leader of Cancer Risk and Control Program for the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center: I spearheaded the first population health program at the SKCC ever. The initiation of this program was done in response to prior CCSG comments suggesting that in order for SKCC to be competitive for Comprehensive status, a population health program was necessary. I am responsible for aligning a team of >30 principal investigators and >200 researchers to create opportunities for team science and to initiate working groups to help launch research in areas where I perceived there were gaps. I have created a common mission and aligned goals among all research groups within program. This includes overseeing basic science and clinical trial research with the goal of improving lives of patients in our community including attention to the role of health disparities. Responsible for new faculty recruitment, budget and allocation of resources.  Initiated three working groups to stimulate intra- and interprogrammatic science that has resulted in successful multi-PI grant funding and high impact publications that include: 1) Health Disparities, 2) Molecular Epidemiology – CriC intersection with Data Science, and 3) Translational cancer survivorship working group. Output: several multi-PI grant applications, some funded and high impact publications.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Us

 Vice Chair for Research of the Radiation Oncology Enterprise. Responsible for defining the research mission and aligning research strengths to increase clinical trial accrual, bench to bedside research, promote research in health disparities, teach trainees to become successful in research endeavors. 1) Initiated Radiation Oncology Summer Research Program: For the last 2 years have mentored 8 students a year who have their own research projects based on the opportunities I develop. 2) Initiated an annual Radiation Oncology Research Symposium with poster presentations from train. I also work with students to present at national meetings and have received numerous national awards. 3) Forge partnerships with industry leaders to beta test new endeavors and secure funding and human capital for new projects with negotiating contracts. 4) Intradepartmental research: Identifying strengths throughout enterprise to role out clinical trials and research across institutions. Created forums for open dialogue among faculty for cross pollination of ideas including department retreats and discussions.5) Forging interinstitutional collaborative efforts to provide opportunities for all staff. Output: All trainees have resulting publications, have experience presenting their research on the national scale and several a year with awards at those national conferences.Vice Chair for Faculty Development of the Radiation Oncology Enterprise. Responsible for reviewing physics and clinical faculty (39 faculty) to determine if they are ready for promotion across all institutions in the enterprise. I counsel all faculty at regular intervals to ensure they will meet metrics for promotion. I work individually with faculty so they are aware of what is needed for promotion to the next level. In 2021, I created a subcommittee radiation oncology to evaluate the faculty and met with faculty to ensure they are on track for timely promotion.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Us

 Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of the Radiation Oncology Enterprise. Responsible for reviewing policies and recruitment strategies to ensure equitable processes are in place. 1) Underrepresented minority recruitment/retention. I specifically recruit and build relationships with underrepresented minority groups by forging personal relationships to ensure the trainees feel like they are joining an inclusive environment and voices heard. 2) Initiated summer scholarship program for underrepresented minorities. 3) Publish high impact papers on inclusion and inequities in academic medicine. 4) Initiated lecture series on DEI for our faculty and staffBring a DEI lens to all recruitment

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Us

Bench Scientist: I lead my laboratory which is funded by 2 NCI R01’s and a U54. I am an expert in modulating systemic inflammation via alteration of microRNAs or through the use of dietary alterations. The overarching goal of my laboratory is to increase the radiation sensitivity of tumors with a poor response to standard therapies. To accomplish this, the lab uses diet to alter cell metabolism via signaling pathways to increase cancer cells’ vulnerability to cytotoxic therapy. Through our studies, we have found new methods for treating radiation resistant tumors, which has led to the development of innovative clinical trials.Clinical Trialist: I am a scientist and used my laboratory and clinical training to translate my preclinical observations. from bench to bedside have translated my findings in the laboratory directly to the clinic in 4 First-in-human clinical trials. I have 13 open and enrolling clinical trials of which I am the PI with 4 retrospective studies of which I am also the PI. My research interest is to change the landscape of cancer care by empowering patients to use dietary interventions to improve outcomes. Health Disparities Studies: I am a passionate advocate for closing the gap in health disparities. I am the PI of several clinical trials to address disparities issues in populations such as LGBTQ population, the aging population, African American population and the Philadelphia Chinatown population. Just awarded NCI supplement for studying SMG status in cancer patinets and a pilot to study biomarkers as it relates to the effect of social determinants of health on African American breast cancer patients. I was also awarded a U54 with disparities aims.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Us

I am a physician-scientist with expertise in translating my laboratory based science to the clinic to try and eradicate cancer. My laboratory seeks to alter radiation response by using either diet or microRNA changes. Evaluating radiation induced microRNA changes led her to develop a unique miR signature predicting response to oxidative or genotoxic stressors. In the laboratory my team and I focus on how caloric restriction, or a reduction in overall calories, can augment the response of chemotherapy and radiation in cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. As a scientist, I have translated my findings in the laboratory directly to the clinic in 4 First-in-human clinical trials. I have 5 open and enrolling clinical trials of which I am the PI.I co-lead the Breast Research Program for the Sidney Kimmey Cancer Center: I am responsible for a team of >200 researchers. I have created a common mission and aligned goals among all breast cancer focused research on campus. Responsible for new faculty recruitment, breast portion of cancer center budget and allocation of resources. To promote transdisciplinary research between TJU and Drexel, I co-lead the Nutrition, Inflammation and Metabolomics Working Group. From this, several collaborations have been initiated.As Director of Radiation for the Breast Center, I lead patient care and am responsible for bringing innovative technology to Jefferson to advance patient care.I sit on the Finance Subcommittee of the Jefferson Academic Board which creates a 5-Year Academic Financial Plan for all Jefferson aligned hospitals (5 main and 6 regional) and oversees management’s perform against plan.On national committees, I help to help bring novel clinical trials to cooperative groups and institutions around the country. I participate in scientific review: manuscript and grant review in the private and government sectors. I am also an educator with an unparalleled commitment to mentorship with proven track record.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Us

Jefferson Enterprise Finance Committee of the Jefferson Academic Board: Development and oversight of 5-Year Academic Financial Plan for all Jefferson aligned hospitals which now has over 30,000 employees (5 main and 18 regional). We have worked to align academic goals and integrate performance plans across all Jefferson Health sites. Develop budget, approve and oversee and manage performance plan.

Endowed Professor. Vice Chair for Research of the Radiation Oncology Department. Responsible for defining the research mission and aligning research strengths to increase clinical trial accrual, bench to bedside research, promote research in health disparities, teach trainees to become successful in research endeavors.

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

Radiation Oncology

Bethesda, Md, Us

During my time at the NCI as staff, I started my first basic science laboratory and began and completed multiple clinical trails and treated all patients with breast and head and neck cancer.Bench research: My first laboratory, investigated methods to increase the sensitivity of radiation. We were one of the first laboratories who noted that microRNA's could change with radiation exposure and in fact were able to create a miR cytotoxic stress signature. Our first manuscript on this topic has now been cited over 100 times. Our research at NCI, resulted in the design of a novel knock out mouse model for miR-21 which we are now using in the laboratory at Thomas Jefferson University. We also began studies to investigate the interaction of caloric restriction with radiation.Clinical research: I was the PI of the NCI 79-c study which sought to determine if breast conservation was as efficacious as mastectomy. With the patients' graciously following long term, I completed a multidisciplinary trial assessing long term toxicity (cardiac, lung, lymphedema and cosmesis) associated with treatment for early breast cancer. Since many breast cancer patients are fortunate to have excellent survival after their treatment, our results will provide clinicians with valuable information in making treatment decisions for patients.

Doctor Of Medicine (M.D.)

Bachelor Of Science And Engineering (B.S.E.), Bioengineering

Education record