Our Team

We bring together experts to find new ways of helping people living with and after cancer.

A team of talented and committed professionals working to design new models of care and interventions to improve outcomes for patients and caregivers


Lidia Schapira, MD

Medical Oncology

“I love to read, write, hike and explore new places.”

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Alison Clayton

Program Manager

“I spend most of my free time cheering on my daughter’s soccer team but I save some for traveling in Asia, my favorite part of the world.”

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Stephanie Smith, MD, MPH

Pediatric Oncology

“I enjoy spending time outside, running, swimming, juggling (clubs, balls, sometimes fruit), and doing craft projects.”

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Jennifer Kim, MD

Primary Care and Population Health

“I grew up on the East Coast and love to be outside in the sunny Bay Area weather, play with my toddler, and cook.”

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Catherine Benedict, PhD

Psychology

“Having grown up on the east coast, I love being able to enjoy the outdoors year round, especially for a hike, bike ride, or a sunny day on the beach."

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Ilana Yurkiewicz, MD

Primary Care and Population Health

“I enjoy reading, writing, being outdoors, and spending time with my family.”

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Oxana Palesh, PhD, MPH

Psychology

“I spend my free time enjoying either a class of yoga or if I feel more adventurous, I can be found rock climbing at Castle Rock/Mount Diablo park.”

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Pamela Simon, NP

Pediatric Oncology

“I love the outdoors, hiking and biking with my husband and dog, Frankie and traveling to watch our 2 sons play soccer for their college teams.”

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Ranak Trivedi, PhD

Psychology

“I love to invest in my well-being through weight training, hot yoga, hiking, reading, baking, and spending time with my family.”

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Allison Kurian, MD, MSc

Medical Oncology

“When not at work, I spend most of my time playing with my son and our dog, a Havanese named Bear.”

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Douglas Blayney, MD, FACP

Medical Oncology

“I have three daughters, one of whom is a physician.”

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Mohana Roy, MD

Medical Oncology

“I enjoy cooking different cuisines with my family and also trying out new restaurants. To balance that, I also enjoy hiking and sightseeing, especially love natural and art history museums."

Surbhi Singhal, MD

Hematology/Oncology Fellow

“I love to hike in the California parks and travel abroad on a shoestring budget (32 countries and counting)"

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Kelly Bugos, MS, ANP

Medical Oncology

“In my spare time, I like moving through nature, especially on wheels."

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Jonathan Berek, MD, MMS

Gynecologic Oncology

“I’ve always had a passion for theatre and that has recently led me to become a director of documentary films.”

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Rebecca Aslakson, MD, PhD

Palliative Care

“I cherish time with my husband and two sons; last year we traveled 5 months, traversed over 28,000 miles across 36 states, and visited 32 National parks while living in our little 17.5 foot trailer.”

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Gillian Kumagai, MLIS

Health Library

“I’m happiest when I’m by the water. I love road trips, listening to music, being with friends, and anything with dogs!”

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Alia Crum, PhD

Psychology

“I enjoy skiing, golfing and running with my husband Ryan and laying around on play-mats with my new baby Siggy.”

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Featured Team Member

Ranak Trivedi, PhD

Ranak Trivedi, PhD receives Cambia Health Foundation’s Sojourns Scholars Award