Confirmed Speakers
Dr. JOSHUA SCHIFFMAN
Dr. Schiffman’s virtual talk, Guardian of People and Elephants: p53 in Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, will describe how p53 works in people to protect from cancer and will describe the latest research in the field of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS). He also will tell the story of the discovery of extra p53 in elephants and the investigation of his lab to understand how p53 works in elephants – and his efforts to one day turn this into a drug to help patients with cancer.
Dr. Joshua Schiffman is a Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the University of Utah. He is an Investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah where he runs a translational research laboratory focused on hereditary cancer risk and comparative oncology. He has served as CEO of Peel Therapeutics since co-founding the company in 2015, a biotech introducing evolution-based medicines for cancer. Dr. Schiffman’s clinical efforts focus on pediatric cancer genetics, including Li-Fraumeni Sydnrome. Dr. Schiffman received the inaugural Edward B. Clark, MD Endowed Chair in Pediatric Research and the Helen Clise Presidential Endowed Chair in Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Research at the University of Utah. He received the international Prince Hitachi of Japan Medal for Comparative Oncology in 2016 for his research on elephants and cancer. Dr. Schiffman has co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and has lectured around the world about hereditary cancer predisposition and comparative oncology, including the Nobel Conference on Biomimicry in Stockholm, Sweden in 2019. Dr. Schiffman received his medical degree from Brown University School of Medicine and completed his Pediatric Residency, Pediatric Chief Residency, and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at Stanford University. He has lived in Salt Lake City, Utah since 2008.
Dr. Payal Khincha
Since 2018, Dr. Payal Khincha has been the principal investigator on the National Cancer Institute’s longitudinal study on the clinical, genetic, and epidemiologic study of Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
The study opened in 2011 under the leadership of Dr. Savage, in order to further characterize the clinical and molecular consequences of this disorder, and develop a cancer screening program for TP53 mutation carriers.
The team also assisted in the creation of an international LFS research consortium. During her NCI tenure, Dr. Khincha has been involved with the LFS Study in clinical evaluations and genetics of LFS families, quickly building her expertise in this area, taking on leadership roles in the study, and collaborating with experts in the consortium.
Her LFS research focusses on developing an effective cancer surveillance protocol for these families, genotype-phenotype analyses, understanding the genetics and biological basis for cancer development in LFS, and evaluating the effects of cancer treatment on subsequent cancer risks.
She received the 2023 NCI Director’s Innovation Principal Investigator Award for her proposal, “Novel strategies for multi-cancer early detection using a cell-free DNA assay in individuals with Li-Fraumeni syndrome.”
Dr. Khincha received her primary medical degree (MBBS) in 2005 from Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, India, and completed her residency training in pediatrics in 2010 at Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, and CNMC, Washington D.C. She is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric hematology-oncology.
Kathleen Rooney, MSW, LSW
Kathleen Rooney, MSW, LSW, is a social worker with the Comprehensive Vascular Anomalies Program (CVAP) at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She earned her BA in Public Relations and Strategic Communication at American University, Washington, DC and her MSW at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Lawrence Ingrassia
Lawrence Ingrassia is an award-winning journalist, now retired. His latest book, A Fatal Inheritance, intertwines the heartbreaking saga of his and other families’ puzzling over the many seemingly unrelated cancers afflicting them, along with the inspiring search by doctors for an answer. It took more than two decades, but their breakthrough discovery of the rare inherited mutation behind Li-Fraumeni Syndrome helped unlock the mysteries of cancer. A Fatal Inheritance was one of 10 finalists for the prestigious National Book Critics Circle Award for nonfiction in 2024, and also was selected for best-of-the-year lists by NPR, Amazon, Kirkus Reviews and BookPage Audiobooks.
Carly Fauth, ACSM-ACS
Carly Fauth (FitFunCarly) is a fitness instructor, ACSM-ACS certified cancer exercise specialist, movement mentor, and founder of Fit in Fitness, a virtual fitness program that helps people get fit in just 15 minutes a day. A lifelong advocate for mental health through fitness, Carly’s passion for wellness deepened when she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in February 2024. As a survivor, she now uses her journey to inspire others to unlock their own extraordinary personal strength and overcome life’s obstacles.
During chemotherapy, Carly launched a podcast straight from her infusion chair at Dana-Farber. What began as a way to share strength and connection in the middle of treatment has evolved into the Fit in Fitness podcast—broadcast from her home studio and reaching listeners everywhere. Today, Carly uses the show to spark hope, share real conversations, and inspire resilience, offering cancer patients, caregivers, and anyone facing life’s “bears” the reminder that movement and mindset can change everything. She also wrote a book from her chemo chair called, “Pray for the Bear”. Carly lives in Milford, MA, with her husband, two sons, and their goldendoodle.
Carly Grant, MS, CGC
Carly Grant, MS, CGC (she/her) is a Senior Genetic Counselor at the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, where she has worked since 2015. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology from Haverford College and her Master’s degree in Genetic Counseling from Brandeis University. Prior to joining Mass General Brigham, she worked at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Jimmy Fund, where she developed a special interest in Li-Fraumeni syndrome while caring for affected children and families. Her clinical practice focuses on hereditary breast, ovarian, gastrointestinal, and pediatric cancer genetics, and she is a co-founder of the Pediatric Cancer Genetics Program at Mass General Brigham. Carly currently serves as the Medical Advisory Chair of Living LFS and is passionate about supporting individuals and families with Li-Fraumeni syndrome through education, advocacy, and multidisciplinary care.
