Hoosier Cancer Research Network highlights Bently Doonan, MD, MS, oncologist and assistant professor in the division of hematology & oncology at the university of Florida College of Medicine.

Education Background:

Dr. Doonan started his undergraduate education at Costal Carolina University with a BS in biology with a focus on immunology. He then continued his research training at the Medical University of South Carolina where he obtained a Masters in Cancer Immunology focusing on optimizing immunotherapy approaches for refractory cancers. He then completed three years of additional research in cancer immunology with a focus on melanoma, prostate cancer, and lymphoma. He followed this with a residency in internal medicine, a year as a chief in internal medicine, and an oncology fellowship at the University of Florida.

Research interests and expertise:

Dr. Doonan’s research focuses on overcoming resistance to immunotherapy in high-risk malignancies with specific focus on brain metastases. He performs both basic science, translational, and clinical research at the University of Florida and is a member of the Wells Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Center. His work focuses on overcoming the suppressive tumor microenvironment of resistant metastasis locations including the brain and liver. He additionally, studies the potential for novel patient specific total tumor derived mRNA nanoparticle vaccines to reprogram the tumor microenvironment of immunotherapy resistant melanoma.

Three interesting facts about Dr. Doonan:

1. Dr. Doonan has two young children
2. He enjoys playing golf and making art
3. He has met Marc Summers of Double Date fame twice twenty years apart

About Hoosier Cancer Research Network:

Hoosier Cancer Research Network conducts innovative cancer research in collaboration with academic and community physicians and scientists across the United States. The organization provides comprehensive clinical trial management and support, from conception through publication. Created in 1984 as a program of the Walther Cancer Institute, Hoosier Cancer Research Network became an independent nonprofit clinical research organization in 2007. Since its founding, Hoosier Cancer Research Network has conducted more than 230 trials in a variety of cancer types and supportive care, resulting in more than 350 publications. More than 9,000 subjects have participated in Hoosier Cancer Research Network clinical trials.