Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University hematologist-oncologist Ajay K. Nooka, MD, MPH, has been named Winship’s associate director for clinical research. Nooka succeeds Edmund K. Waller, MD, PhD, who has served as interim associate director for clinical research since February 2022.
Nooka is a professor of hematology and medical oncology and director of the Myeloma Program at Emory University School of Medicine. He is a member of Winship’s Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program and serves as scientific director of the Winship Data and Technology Applications Shared Resource.
As the principal investigator for more than 40 clinical trials in multiple myeloma, Nooka contributed to the approval of new drugs and treatment strategies that are leading to better outcomes. His research interests include genomic and clinical data integration and interpretation; evaluating new therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes; and cancer epidemiology.
In his new role, Nooka provides strategic oversight for all clinical research conducted at Winship, with a focus on supporting high-quality, safe and ethical research and ensuring that patients have equitable access to Winship’s innovative clinical trials. He is supported by a robust clinical research infrastructure, including the Winship Clinical Trials Office and Winship’s Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee.
“Winship is well-positioned to be the epicenter of innovative clinical research. We have extraordinary teams of scientists and clinicians working with a unified goal to accelerate discoveries. I am humbled by the opportunity to facilitate clinical research by bringing access to newer therapies to reduce the cancer burden for the population we serve,” says Nooka.
