Featured Speakers

Kristen Doyle

Chief Executive Officer @ Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas

Kristen Doyle

Chief Executive Officer @ Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas

The CPRIT Oversight Committee unanimously voted to hire Kristen Doyle as CPRIT’s CEO effective July 1, 2024. She joined the agency in 2009, serving as CPRIT’s deputy executive officer and general counsel. Ms. Doyle has played a pivotal role in establishing the policies and legal and regulatory foundations that ensure CPRIT maintains the highest standards in carrying out our mission to accelerate cancer cures, treatments, and prevention activities throughout Texas.
Prior to joining CPRIT, Ms. Doyle was a partner at an Austin-based law firm practicing electric utility and natural gas law and served as Assistant Public Counsel for the Office of Public Utility Counsel. She received a B.S. in Public Policy from Indiana University and her J.D. and M.S. in Technology Commercialization from The University of Texas at Austin. Ms. Doyle, a cancer survivor, is the CEO of the board of directors for Wonders & Worries, a Texas-based non-profit, and previously served as vice chair of the board of directors for the Central Texas Chapter for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Delvin Atchison, DMin

Pastor @ Westside Baptist Church | Director of Partnerships @ National Baptist Convention of America International

Delvin Atchison, DMin

Pastor @ Westside Baptist Church | Director of Partnerships @ National Baptist Convention of America International

Dr. Delvin Atchison is the beloved Senior Pastor of Westside Baptist Church in Lewisville, Texas. He formerly served as Director of the Great Commission Team for Texas Baptists. Dr. Atchison began preaching God’s word at an early age and has always recognized the importance of cultivating his God given gifts to preach and share God’s word with the world. He pursued undergraduate study at the University of Texas in Austin and earned his Master of Divinity with honors and Doctor of Ministry from George W. Truett Seminary at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Pastor Atchison’s studies have taken him all over the world having studied at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University in England, under the tutelage of his mentor and friend, Dr. Joel Gregory. He also traveled to Italy to study at the Vatican in Rome.
For over 40 years Dr. Atchison has impacted thousands using his gift of preaching and teaching through written words and powerful oration. His sermons have been published in numerous periodicals including Epitome, The Groves Standard, and the Truett Pulpit, with contributions made to Christianity Today, Common Call and Baptist Voice, just to name a few. He has presented at numerous conferences worldwide. Dr. Atchison is passionate about equipping pastors and preachers to spread the gospel more effectively through his support of mentoring and coaching programs and has been privileged to guide the journeys of countless numbers of those called to spread God’s word throughout the world. His major body of work centers around an expository preaching and exegetical sermon preparation methodology which he shares in “Page to Pulpit” seminars.
Delvin Atchison’s personal life has focused on family and showing love for others. He grew up in Hearne, Texas as the fifth of six siblings. He is blessed to be married to his lovely wife, Dr. Brenda Atchison. Together they have five children and are proud grandparents to two beloved grandchildren. Pastor Atchison’s vision for life and ministry is to Serve God by Sharing Christ and Loving People.

Kenneth Ramos MD, PhD

Director @ Texas A&M Center of Excellence in Cancer Research

Kenneth Ramos MD, PhD

Director @ Texas A&M Center of Excellence in Cancer Research

Kenneth S. Ramos, MD, PhD is an accomplished physician-scientist with designations in the National Academy of Medicine and National Academy of Sciences. He is a transformational leader recognized throughout the world for his scientific contributions in the areas of genomics, precision medicine and toxicology.
With formal training in pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, and medicine, Dr. Ramos is helping to steer the changing landscape of medicine, biotechnology and healthcare. In this context, he leads several translational, clinical research, and educational programs that integrate diverse approaches to elucidate genomic mechanisms of disease and to develop novel therapies for several oncologic, pulmonary, and vascular diseases.
Dr. Ramos has provided academic, executive, administrative, and scientific leadership in the areas of genetics and genomic medicine and toxicology at various academic institutions and over the course of his career has positively influenced the career of numerous clinicians and scientists engaged in medical, veterinary and pharmaceutical practice. He is deeply committed to initiatives that advance modern technological applications to improve quality of healthcare and reduce disease burden and health-associated costs.

Mary Tillman-Young

South Region Strategic Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion @ American Cancer Society

Mary Tillman-Young

South Region Strategic Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion @ American Cancer Society

Mary Tillman-Young, serves as the South Region Strategic Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion for the American Cancer Society and her pronouns are (she/her). Mary was born in New Jersey and grew up between the Caribbean Island of St. Kitts and Nevis and Maryland. Mary is a passionate advocate for health equity and social justice. With over ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Mary has dedicated her career to promoting equitable access to resources for underserved communities.
Growing up Mary’s family founded churches and schools around the world, and she witnessed firsthand the barriers to healthcare access that her family and neighbors faced. Her commitment to health equity is rooted in that lived experience and inspires her passion for serving others and contributing to my global community.
Mary’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Arlington, a Non-Profit Management program at Southern Methodist University, and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program at Cornell University. Professionally, Mary has had the experience of serving as the Director of Culture and Engagement and Director of Programs for a nonprofit housing organization, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant, working alongside corporations to further their ESG efforts, and creating innovative program design and delivery models for health, education, and financial service organizations.
Outside of work, her favorite place to be is in the kitchen or on a plane. Exploring the world and learning about different cuisines fuels her passion for connecting with people and learning about different lived experiences over a meal. Mary is grateful to be here with us today on behalf of the American Cancer Society team and looks forward to having the opportunity highlight the cancer disparities that exist, and the ways in which the American Cancer Society is working to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.

Eardie Curry, PharmD

Medical Affairs Executive Director @ Genentech

Eardie Curry, PharmD

Medical Affairs Executive Director @ Genentech

Eardie Curry is currently the Medical Affairs Executive Director for Genentech, covering North Texas and Oklahoma. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Eardie Curry has 20+ years of experience within hospital systems and pharmacy departments. In addition, Eardie has been fortunate to work in three NCI designated cancer centers, been awarded NCI-grant funding, and was the Director of Pharmacy at the hospital where he was born.
Eardie has a BA in Biology from Texas A&M, a PharmD from Texas Southern, and an MBA from the University of Houston. Eardie lives in Austin with his wife and family, and works towards a day where your zip code does not determine your life expectancy.

David Gerber, MD

Co-Director @ Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center Office of Education and Training

David Gerber, MD

Co-Director @ Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center Office of Education and Training

David Gerber, M.D., is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center, and a member of the Division of Hematology and Oncology. He serves as Co-Director of Education and Training in the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. Originally from Chicago, Dr. Gerber holds a bachelor's degree in history from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, where he graduated cum laude. He earned his medical degree at Cornell University Medical College in New York and completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at UT Southwestern, where he served as Chief Resident. He then received advanced training through a fellowship in medical oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in medical oncology, Dr. Gerber joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2007. He is invested in helping patients have a better quality of life. Dr. Gerber is active in research related to lung cancer, including clinical trials. His research has generated more than 250 publications that he has authored or co-authored, including articles and book chapters. His studies have contributed to invitations to lecture both nationally and internationally. He serves on several committees at UT Southwestern. Beyond the institution, he serves as Chair of the Clinical Trials Advisory Committee for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Oncology Research Program Investigator Steering Committee. Dr. Gerber holds memberships in several professional organizations, and he has been honored with numerous awards, including being named a Best Doctor in Dallas by D Magazine during the years of 2011-2023.

Jacqueline Naeem MD

Vice President, Clinical and Social Health @ PCCI

Jacqueline Naeem MD

Vice President, Clinical and Social Health @ PCCI

Dr. Jacqueline Naeem is an experienced physician leader and serves as VP of Clinical and Social Health at PCCI. With a diverse professional background and wealth of expertise across multiple domains, Dr. Naeem brings a unique perspective to her role. She oversees programs that are specifically focused on mental behavioral health and clinical community linkages, with the aim of addressing health-related social needs. Dr Naeem works closely with data scientists to bridge the gap between data science and clinical science. By translating complex data into actionable insights, she ensures that evidence-based practices and innovative approaches are integrated into clinical care and optimizing patient outcomes. Dr Naeem earned her Medical Degree and Postgraduate Diploma in Psychiatry from the University of Manchester, UK, where she practiced for several years prior to joining PCCI and maintains her registration on the General Medical Council, UK.