Dr. Carmona completed medical school, internal medicine, and medical oncology residencies at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. After this, he did a 3-year fellowship in Gastro-Intestinal and Breast cancers at the University of Toronto/Odette Cancer Centre. Dr. Carmona holds a Master of Science in Molecular Biomedicine and a Doctorate in Clinical Trials and Methodology from the National Cancer Institute, where he designed one of the earliest investigator-initiated trials that provided evidence of the feasibility and efficacy of the chemo-immunotherapy approach. His clinical and research interests are to improve create practical evidence in GI and Breast malignancies that reflects which treatment is the best in a real-world setting. In this context, he strives to develop trials that generate impactful real-world evidence to optimize treatment strategies for patients living with GI and Breast cancers.

Dr. Cypel is a Staff Thoracic Surgeon at University Health Network (UHN) and a Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto. He is the Surgical Director of the Ajmera Transplant Center at UHN and Artificial Lung Program at UHN. He received his MD in 1999 and completed his general surgery and thoracic surgery residency program in 2004. In 2005 he started his post-doctoral research fellowship at the Latner Thoracic Surgery Laboratory. During this time, he developed a new method of lung preservation and donor lung repair called Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion (EVLP). This method is now used clinically in Toronto and in many other centers, and has significantly increased the number of transplantable lungs. He subsequently performed a 3 years fellowship in thoracic oncology, cardiac surgery, and lung transplantation at the University of Toronto. His main clinical interests are in artificial lung devices, Ex vivo and In vivo Lung Perfusion and lung transplantation. Dr. Cypel currently holds the prestigious Canada Research Chair in Lung Transplantation from the Government of Canada and he is the principal investigator in very innovative clinical trials, such as the use of uncontrolled donation after cardio-circulatory death for lung transplantation and in vivo lung perfusion with chemotherapy to treat patients with lung metastases. He is a Member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) and a Fellow from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC).

Dr. Dennis is an Associate Professor in the Division of Radiation Oncology at the University of Ottawa, and a Radiation Oncologist in the Radiation Medicine Program at The Ottawa Hospital. He completed medical school at the University of Western Ontario, residency training at the British Columbia Cancer Agency and the University of British Columbia, and fellowship training and graduate school work at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the University of Toronto. Clinically, in Ottawa he leads his division's gastrointestinal and palliative disease site groups.

Dr. Mary Jane Esplen is Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto and therapist in private practice. She previously held positions as a Clinician-Scientist at University Health Network and Mount Sinai hospital in Toronto. Dr. Esplen founded and led the de Souza Institute – a National Centre of education for oncology health professionals. She held Career Scientist awards from CIHR and NCIC for her psychosocial oncology research, completing studies of psychotherapeutic treatments to support adjustment to being diagnosed with cancer or receiving genetic risk information in breast, colorectal or pancreatic cancer. Other areas of research include studies addressing body image among cancer survivors or the management of grief and loss. Dr. Esplen gives numerous workshops and keynotes and has received several awards, including the lifetime achievement award from Canadian Association Psychosocial Oncology and the Bernard Fox Memorial Award from International Psycho-oncology Society.

Dr. Anand Ghanekar is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto. He specializes in hepatobiliary and abdominal organ transplant surgery at the Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network. He has been involved in developing and expanding the role of liver transplantation in the management of unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer.

Dr. Sharlene Gill is a Professor of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and a medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies at BC Cancer – Vancouver. She received a Bachelors of Science in Pharmacy and an MD from the University of British Columbia in 1996 followed by residencies in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. Dr. Gill subsequently completed a fellowship in Gl Oncology at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) and a Masters of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health. In 2017, she completed an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler School of Business at the University of North Carolina. She is actively engaged in education and research, with over 150 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters to her credit. Dr. Gill serves as the Chair of the Canadian Clinical Trials Group (CCTG) GI Disease Site Committee and Chair of the UBC Department of Medicine Mentoring Committee. She is the Editor-in-Chief for Clinical Colorectal Cancer and is the Past-President of the Canadian Association of Medical Oncologists. Her TEDx talk in 2022 on ‘How to Flip the Script on Cancer’ delivered her passion for patient advocacy and empowerment.

Sonya Grewal received a Masters specializing in Genetics from McMaster University and then went on to earn a second Masters degree in Genetic Counselling from the University of British Columbia. She is certified by the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors and remains an active member of the CAGC, serving most recently as a member of the board of directors and the certification committee. Sonya has been a Genetic Counsellor in the Cancer Genetics Clinic at North York General Hospital for over 15 years and played a key role in creating the Familial Colon Cancer Clinic. Over the years she has provided support and education to patients and families affected by various inherited cancer syndromes. Sonya is also a Registered Psychotherapist whose interests include working with patients and families dealing with hereditary genetic conditions.

Dr. Karanicolas received his MD degree from the University of Western Ontario in 2003 & his PhD in health research methodology, clinical epidemiology and bio statistics from McMaster University in 2008. He completed his residency in general surgery at Western University in 2009 and a fellowship in surgical oncology at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in 2011. Dr. Karanicolas is a surgical oncologist & scientist at the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre & holds a Professor title at both the Department of Surgery and the Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation at the University of Toronto. The overarching theme of his research program is the development & conduct of clinical trials in surgical oncology. Dr. Karanicolas is also the surgical lead for the hepatic artery infusion pump chemotherapy program at the Odette Cancer Centre, the only such program in Canada.

As a certified sexuality counsellor, registered nurse, and author of 16 books, Dr Katz brings a rare blend of clinical expertise, compassion, and deep insight to the most intimate and often misunderstood aspects of human health. With a respected reputation as a leading voice in cancer and sexuality, her work empowers individuals and couples to reclaim their sexual well-being, even in the face of illness and major life transitions.

Her credibility is rooted not just in her extensive professional qualifications, but in decades of thoughtful advocacy, evidence-based education, and the ability to create safe, affirming spaces for honest conversations. She is known for her warm, no-nonsense approach—blending science, sensitivity, and a strong ethical compass to support both clients and the broader medical and nursing community.

Dr. Gregory Knapp is a Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor of Surgery at Dalhousie University. He obtained his MD from McMaster University and MSc in International Health Policy from the London School of Economics. He completed his residency in General Surgery at Dalhousie University and fellowship training in Global Oncology and Surgery Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the University of Calgary. His clinical practice is focused on Breast Cancer and advanced GI malignancies. He is the Director of the Global Surgery Office at Dalhousie University and a member of the African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO). He is co-chair of the Breast Cancer Site Team within Cancer Care Nova Scotia and Program Director of the Peritoneal Oncology Fellowship at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.

Christopher is the National Patient Programs Manager at the Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network (CCRAN). He is a husband, father and 3-time cancer survivor. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Management Degree and worked for 15 years in operational management, primarily as General Manager of Seal & Design Canada. Christopher also served 4 years as the publicly elected Toronto District School Board Trustee for Humber River – Black Creek, subsequently elected by his fellow Trustees to sit as Vice-Chair of the Board. Christopher was awarded the Canadian Heraldic Platinum Jubilee Award for Outstanding Community Leadership for this community focused work and has volunteered as a Member & Chair of Seneca Polytechnic’s Business Program Advisory Committee since 2016.

Dr. Stella Medvedyuk is a researcher and educator whose work advances equity-driven, trauma- and violence-informed approaches in cancer care. She is completing a postdoctoral fellowship with the Improving Cancer Care Equity lab at Women’s College Hospital, under the supervision of Dr. Ambreen Sayani, supporting initiatives that strengthen equitable cancer care delivery across health systems. Stella’s scholarship translates Trauma and Violence-Informed Care (TVIC) principles into practical tools and strategies that foster emotional, cultural, and physical safety; honour choice and collaboration; and build on the existing strengths of people living with cancer. Her work draws on patient-partnered research and implementation science, including co-designed lung cancer education module that centers TVIC in primary care and supportive care contexts. Stella is committed to actionable, equity-driven care approaches that ensure people affected by cancer feel safe, heard, and supported in ways that respect identity, lived experience, and structural barriers to health.

Felicia Newell is CCRAN's National Registered Dietitian. She has a Bachelor and Masters of Science in Applied Human Nutrition, and has worked in areas such as research, education, healthcare, and private practice for 14 years. She is has an immense passion for providing help and guidance to all patients, but especially those fighting colorectal cancer. Felicia assesses patients for their nutritional needs and provides evidenced-informed nutrition recommendations and support to help optimize their bodies’ ability to fight cancer and tolerate treatments. She also oversees the expansion of CCRAN's My Foods for Life Program, in addition to the development of a primary and secondary cancer prevention program.

Radiologist at Joint Department Medical Imaging University of Toronto, working at TGH, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Mount Sinai Hospital and Toronto Western. Dual trained and cross appointed in Molecular and Abdominal Imaging divisions. Main interest is Oncology Imaging, using US, CT, MR and PET/CT - PET/MR as imaging tools for diagnosis and restaging of oncologic patients.

Dr. Stuart Peacock is Professor and Leslie Diamond Chair in Cancer Survivorship in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. He is Co-Director of the Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control (ARCC), a Distinguished Scientist at BC Cancer, and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Stuart has 30 years of experience in health economics, quality of life research, public engagement, and priority setting in health policy. His interests include developing more effective cancer services, making health system funding decisions fairer and more transparent, and improving the quality of life of cancer patients and survivors.

Dr. Raphael is a Medical Oncologist and the Early Age Onset CRC Cancer Clinic Lead at the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. His practice is dedicated to the care of patients with gastrointestinal cancers. He completed his medical degree at Queen’s University and his internal medicine and medical oncology training at the University of Toronto. He then completed an advanced cancer health services research fellowship and a Master’s of Science (Healthcare Quality, Risk and Safety) at Queen’s University. His research focus is on population-based cancer care. His research aims to identify ways to optimize the coordination and delivery of cancer care services, and to describe gaps in care, disparities in access to treatment, uptake of cancer therapies, and real-world toxicity and effectiveness. His research has already influenced practice guidelines globally and led to a new quality metric that is routinely captured by Cancer Care Ontario (“time to initiating adjuvant chemotherapy”). He is also the valued Co-Chair of CCRAN’s Scientific & Medical Advisory Board.

Dr. Abdulazeez Salawu specializes in the treatment of sarcoma, gastrointestinal cancer, and peritoneal malignancy. He is also a PI in the Phase 1 Drug Development Program. He underwent specialty training in Medical Oncology in Sheffield, United Kingdom, and holds Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of Sheffield. His research expertise lies in structural and functional genomics, disease models, and biomarker development. His current research focuses on translational oncology and early-phase drug development, particularly using biomarkers to guide personalized cancer therapies. He is the recipient of the Novartis Oncology Young Canadian Investigator Award and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Merit and Young Investigator Awards. He is also an equity-focused clinical investigator with an interest in disparities and representation in oncology clinical research.

Filomena is the President and CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Resource & Action Network (“CCRAN”) – a patient-focused organization championing the health and wellbeing of Canadians touched by colorectal cancer and others at risk of developing the disease. Her undergraduate and graduate work lie in the biological sciences and educational studies. As a caregiver to her father, who was afflicted with and succumbed to metastatic cancer, his journey has served as the impetus for the founding of CCRAN, one month post his passing in August of 2006.

The past eighteen years have been dedicated to the cause of supporting, educating, and advocating on behalf of colorectal cancer patients and caregivers, to improve patients’ quality of life and longevity by furnishing evidence-based information and access to unique and novel patient programs, such as CCRAN’s innovative “My CRC Consultant”, an online tool providing the metastatic patient with evidence-based and expert reviewed, potential therapeutic options based on the patient’s tumour’s molecular profile. She has been working closely with valued health care professionals across the continuum of colorectal cancer care to ensure content acumen in the management of colorectal cancer. She is humbled to be published alongside world-renowned experts in areas such as colorectal cancer management, PROs and PROMs, early age onset colorectal cancer awareness and education, promoting national LDLT efforts, education on molecular profiling, and more.

Filomena is a strong proponent of HTA patient evidence submissions since the inception of pCODR, ensuring the patient voice is captured and well incorporated into her HTA patient evidence submissions. She prepares these submissions not only for colorectal cancer drug therapies under review, but within therapeutic areas for which there are no representative patient advocacy groups or on behalf of patient advocacy groups who may

Dr. Christopher Wang is a gastroenterologist at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto. He completed his MD training at UofT (class of 1T7) and his Internal Medicine and GI residencies in Edmonton, Alberta. Upon returning to Toronto, he completed a fellowship in Clinical Nutrition at Toronto General Hospital and he currently runs the Nutrition Program at St Joe's. He manages inpatient TPN service as well as an outpatient, multidisciplinary Malnutrition Clinic. He also has an interest in medical education and is currently serving as the education lead for Community GI at St. Joe's.