Cancer research
– our focus areas

After her initial education and training in Gynecology and Gyne-oncology in Italy, Cristiana joined the Clinical Research Team of the Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI) where she became Deputy Head for Clinical Research and responsible of the programs of New Drugs Development and Gyneco Oncology. During her clinical activity, which had always a significant translational component, she acquired post degree knowledge and experience in Palliative Care, Economics and Health Management and Pharmaceutical Medicine.

She’s been working for more than six years for the Guidelines Committee of the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) and as external advisor for the Scientific Committee of the French Foundation pour la Recherche sur le Cancer (ARC).
She is the current Vice-President of the European Society of Gynecologic Oncology (ESGO).

Dr. Mikhael is a Professor in the Applied Cancer Research and Drug Discovery Division at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope Cancer Center.  He is also the Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF).  He facilitates and promotes myeloma research worldwide, especially in underprivileged countries.

Dr. Mikhael is a consultant hematologist and Director of Myeloma Research at the HonorHealth Research Institute where he conducts phase 1 clinical trials. He also serves as a Councilor on the Executive of the American Society of Hematology. He also recently led the ASCO guidelines for multiple myeloma.

Dr. Mikhael was recently a hematologist at Mayo Clinic Arizona where he served as a Professor at the Mayo College of Medicine, Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education and Deputy Director - Education of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center.  He has been recognized with numerous awards in education including being in the Mayo Clinic Resident and Fellow Association Hall of Fame as Educator of the Year. He was also recently named in the Top 100 Doctors in the United States.

He specializes clinically in plasma cell disorders, namely multiple myeloma, amyloidosis and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. Dr. Mikhael is currently the principal investigator of many clinical trials, primarily in multiple myeloma.  His other clinical research interests also include pharmaco-economics, communication skills and media relations.  He has published over 150 peer reviewed articles in these fields. He lectures internationally on a regular basis. He is an active member of the International Myeloma Working Group, and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.