Jonathan D. Licht, M.D.
Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida Health Cancer Center
Jonathan D. Licht, M.D., has served as Director of the University of Florida Health Cancer Center since late 2015, holding the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. Chair. Previously, Dr. Licht was Professor and Chief of hematology/oncology at Northwestern University and Chief of hematology/oncology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Licht led the University of Florida to become the 72nd National Cancer Institute designated cancer center in June 2023.
A graduate of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, he completed his internal medicine residency at Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, Harvard Medical School and medical oncology fellowship and postdoctoral training at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Dr. Licht’s laboratory studies aberrant gene regulation as a cause of blood and other cancers and is developing treatment strategies to reverse abnormal, cancer-causing gene function. Dr. Licht’s cancer career spans over three decades, and his research program is distinguished by over 30 years of continuous NCI and national foundation funding.
Dr. Licht leads a Specialized Center of Research program from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He is principal investigator of three NCI R01 grants, has authored more than 220 original articles, reviews and book chapters and his work has been cited more than 32,000 times. He has trained over a dozen Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. students and more than 30 postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to positions in academia and industry. Dr Licht has recruited and mentored numerous clinical and basic research faculty members. In recognition of his mentorship skills, he received the 2021 American Society of Hematology Basic Sciences Mentor Award. He served as an Associate Editor of Oncogene and on the Editorial Boards of Cancer Blood Discovery, Cancer Research, Clinical Cancer Research and Clinical Epigenetics. In 2023 he became the founding Editor-in Chief of Blood Neoplasia.
Dr. Licht has served in key positions in the American Society of Hematology (Councilor, Co-director of the ASH/European Hematology Association Translational Training in Hematology), the American Association for Cancer Research (Chair, Taskforce of Hematological Malignancies), and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Chair, Medical Scientific Board). He has chaired the review panel for Specialized Center grants of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, served as Chair of the Biochemical of the Mechanisms of Cancer Therapy-I study section of NIH and led the 2019 Gordon Conference on Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics.
Associate Professor Marta Chesi (Mayo Clinic, USA)
Associate Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona
Over the course of three decades, in collaboration with Dr. Leif Bergsagel, A/Prof Marta Chesi has identified most of the primary and secondary genomic events that contribute to the molecular pathogenesis of multiple myeloma and constitute the basis for disease stratification worldwide. The immunocompetent Vk*MYC transgenic mouse model she has generated has allowed for the demonstration (in vivo) of the functional consequences of some of those genomic aberrations in the context of a proper tumor microenvironment and, in collaboration with industry, to identify clinically relevant therapeutic approaches to target them.
More recently, A/Prof Chesi’s focus has been on the preclinical development of immunotherapy in a fully immunocompetent, orthotopic and clinically relevant setting, studying the interaction of T-cell redirecting therapies (bispecific antibodies and CAR-T cells) with conventional therapies of myeloma.
Dr Angelina Yong
Consultant Haematologist, Royal Adelaide Hospital
Dr Angelina Yong is a consultant haematologist and haematopathologist at the Royal Adelaide Hospital with recognised expertise in plasma cell dyscrasias, including multiple myeloma and AL amyloidosis. She holds dual fellowships in clinical haematology and haematopathology and combines clinical, translational, and health-system research to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Dr Yong holds multiple national leadership roles. She is a member of the Myeloma Scientific Advisory Group of Australia (MSAG) for Myeloma Australia and an active contributor and leader within the MSAG Guidelines Pillar, supporting the development of Australian myeloma treatment guidelines. She serves as Chair of the Membership Subcommittee for the Australian Amyloidosis Network (AAN), with responsibilities spanning governance, centre accreditation, and performance review, and is editor of the AAN Healthcare Professional Newsletter. She is the Supportive Care Lead for the Australian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG) Myeloma Working Party and a member of the ALLG Myeloma Think Tank and Supportive Care Working Party. Additional advisory roles include membership of the Joanna Briggs Institute Blood Disorders Expert Reference Group and the eviQ Myeloma Reference Committee, contributing to protocol development and updates.
Through her clinical trial involvement, guideline leadership, and health-system innovation, Dr Yong brings strategic insight, collaborative leadership, and a patient-centred perspective to scientific advisory roles.
Professor Jake Shortt (Monash Health)
Head of Haematology Research, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University
Clinical Director of Haematology, Monash Health
Professor Shortt leads the Blood Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory at Monash, where his research is focussed on discovering and validating new drug targets in lymphoma and myeloma. In addition to his preclinical research, Prof Shortt is a Principal Investigator on both investigator-initiated and industry sponsored clinical trials in lymphoma, myeloma and leukaemia all conducted through the Monash Health Translation Precinct. Prof Shortt is an active member of the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG), having served as Chair of the ALLG Laboratory Sciences Working Party and Deputy Chair of the ALLG Scientific Advisory Committee.
Geoff Nyssen
Consumer Representative
Geoff is a dad, husband, blogger, public speaker and an active patient advocate. Diagnosed in 2014 with the terminal blood cancer multiple myeloma, Geoff has used this adversity as a means to lead by example in helping others become empowered with the challenges that they may face. With the strong belief that his diagnosis does not define nor limit him - but in fact powers him towards supporting others - Geoff raises both awareness and funds for myeloma research.
His advocacy includes working as a volunteer for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Snowdome Foundation, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and Myeloma Australia. Geoff also provides ‘blood buddy’ support to many diagnosed patients, is a research ‘consumer’ supporting several research projects, and is an active presenter - providing inspiration to others as they navigate their own adversity. Geoff is Founder/Director of the MY Mount Eliza Run & Fun Festival, having raised almost $400k for research and patient support since 2017.
