The mission of the Symptom Science Transformational Team (SSTT) is to reduce symptom burden and improve quality of life for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers through multidisciplinary innovative translational, clinical, and population science research.

The SSTT was established in 2024 with support from Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center (AHWFBCCC). The SSTT is led by John Salsman, PhD, Alfonso Romero-Sandoval, MD, PhD, Declan Walsh, MD, and Kunal Kadakia, MD.

The Symptom Science Transformational Team aims to

  • Serve as a centralized hub for scientists and clinicians across departments, programs, and institutions within our health system to foster collaborative and inter-programmatic research
  • Facilitate the translation of high-impact research into effective, equitable practice-changing, and policy-relevant interventions
  • Support the recruitment, development and retention of emerging leaders, including staff, trainees and faculty with expertise in cancer symptom science

Research Activities

The SSTT serves as a centralized hub for clinicians and researchers (both basic and population sciences) who have shared interests in cancer symptom science and increases synergy, catalyzes productive collaborations, and promotes high impact science.  The Symptom Science Transformational Team utilizes a network of working groups, journal clubs, and interest groups to advance its mission and aims. Please see additional information about these working groups below: 

Research Project Development Working Group

  • Leadership: Declan Walsh, MD
  • Meeting date/time: Monthly on the 2nd and 4th Fridays from 8-9am EST
  • Scope: The scope of this working group is to guide research from concept to dissemination by sharing new research ideas, developing projects and publications, and hosting conference practice presentations
  • Contact: Sangita Paul if you are interested in joining the email distribution 

Malnutrition/Inflammation Working Group

  • Leadership: Aynur Aktas, MD and Kunal Kadakia, MD
  • Meeting date/time: Quarterly on the first Friday from 8-9am EST
  • Scope: The scope of this working group is to share new study concepts in the thematic area of malnutrition and inflammation, practice conference presentations, and highlight vendor or research presentations to foster collaboration.
  • Contact: Aynur Aktas if you are interested in joining the email distribution

Symptom Science Working Group

  • Leadership: Drs. Dori Beeler and Romero-Sandoval 
  • Meeting date/time: Quarterly on the first Friday from 8-9am EST
  • Scope: The scope of this working group is to share new study concepts in the thematic area of symptom science, practice conference presentations, and highlight vendor or research presentations to foster collaboration. 
  • Contact: Dori Beeler if you are interested in joining the email distribution 

Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) Working Group 

  • Leadership: Dr. Roy Strowd
  • Meeting date/time: Monthly on the 2nd Monday at 4:00pm EST
  • Scope: The group promotes collaboration between clinical and research professionals. Its goals include advancing scientific insights, developing screening tools and biomarkers, and enhancing clinical management. The group explores molecular mechanisms, tumor influences on nerve environments and conducts biomarker assessments. By translating research into practice, the group aims to reduce symptom burden and improve cancer care. 
  • Contact: Mysha Erin Sissine for more information.

Supportive Oncology Journal Club

  • Leadership: Dr. Mellar Davis
  • Meeting date/time: Monthly on the 3rd Thursday from 8:15-9am EST
  • Scope: The scope of this Journal Club is to discuss high-impact articles, enhancing clinical decision-making and patient care. The club fosters collaboration between clinical and research professionals to inspire new projects and bridge research with practice. Additionally, it strengthens critical thinking by equipping members with the skills to evaluate research rigorously and generate innovative ideas. 
  • Contact: Sangita Paul if you are interested in joining the email distribution.