Congratulations 2024 Anti-Cancer Challenge Grant Awardees Posted: 2025-06-24 Source: UC Irvine School of Medicine News Type: Features & Briefs share Congratulations to our School of Medicine researchers who received grants from the UC Irvine Anti-Cancer Challenge, a community movement to raise awareness and funds for critical cancer research at the UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. As a result of the record-breaking $1.5 million raised in 2024, the Anti-Cancer Challenge has awarded grants to 32 pilot projects and early-phase clinical trials. These projects are poised to revolutionize the future of cancer diagnosis, treatment and cures. This year’s awardees include 20 researchers from the School of Medicine, with School of Medicine projects receiving more than half of the total grants awarded. Congratulations to our researchers who are recognized for their commitment to improved therapies and treatments for cancer patients everywhere. Here is a list of our 2024 Anti-Cancer Challenge Awardees from the School of Medicine: Alexander Minella, MD Amir Imanzadeh, MD Angela Fleischman, MD, PhD Cholsoon Jang, PhD Devon Lawson, PhD Francesco Marangoni, PhD Gelareh Sadigh, MD Jacqueline Kim, PhD Jeremy Harris, MD Jianhua Yu, PhD Jill Tseng, MD Michael Demetriou, MD, PhD Peter Kaiser, PhD Reed Ayabe, MD Rémi Buisson, PhD Rita Mehta, MD Thomas Burke, PhD Warren Chow, MD Xiying Fan, MD, PhD Zhaohui Arter, MD Learn more about the 2024 awardees and their projects. Media Contacts Matt Miller Director mrmille2@uci.edu Michelle Heath Manager mstrombe@hs.uci.edu Shani Murray Senior Science Writer shanim@hs.uci.edu Communications & PR Office Related Faculty/Staff Alex Minella, MD Associate Professor — Division of Hematology and Oncology, Medicine Medical Director, UCI GMP Facility, Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center Amir Imanzadeh, MD Assistant Professor — Divisions of Abdominal Imaging & Cardiothoracic Imaging, Radiological Sciences Angela Fleischman, MD Associate Professor — Division of Hematology and Oncology, Medicine Cholsoon Jang, PhD Assistant Professor — Biological Chemistry Assistant Professor — Division of Endocrinology, Medicine Devon Lawson, PhD Associate Professor, Physiology & Biophysics Francesco Marangoni, PhD Assistant Professor, Physiology & Biophysics Gelareh Sadigh, MD Associate Professor in Residence — Division of Neuroradiology Imaging, Radiological Sciences Associate Professor, Neurology Jacqueline Kim, PhD Assistant Professor in Residence — Division of Hematology and Oncology, Medicine Jeremy Harris, MD Associate Professor, Radiation Oncology Vice Chair of Clinical Operations Jianhua Yu, PhD Professor — Division of Hematology & Oncology, Medicine Jill Tseng, MD Associate Clinical Professor—Obstetrics & Gynecology Director—Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Michael Demetriou, MD, PhD Director, National Multiple Sclerosis Society Designated Comphrehensive Care Clinic, Neurology Professor, Neurology Peter Kaiser, PhD Professor & Chair, Biological Chemistry Reed Ayabe, MD Assistant Professor — Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Surgery Rémi Buisson, PhD Associate Professor — Biological Chemistry Rita Mehta, MD Professor — Division of Hematology and Oncology, Medicine Thomas Burke, PhD Assistant Professor, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Warren Chow, MD Associate Director for Clinical Sciences, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Research Centers and Institutes Professor — Division of Hematology and Oncology, Medicine Xiying Fan, MD, PhD Assistant Professor Zhaohui Arter, MD Assistant Professor — Division of Hematology and Oncology, Medicine