Who We Are

Dr. Kurian graduated from Stanford University, attended Harvard Medical School followed by Internal Medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, and completed Medical Oncology fellowship and a master’s degree in Epidemiology at Stanford University. Dr. Kurian’s research focuses on the identification of women with elevated breast and ovarian cancer risk, and on the development and evaluation of novel techniques for early cancer detection and risk reduction; she has published more than 300 scientific articles on these topics. Dr. Kurian and Dr. Caswell-Jin have collaborated closely and effectively on breast cancer and cancer genetics research over the last ten years.

Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology & Population Health
Director, Women’s Clinical Cancer Genetics Program
Co-Leader, Population Sciences Program
Associate Chief, Division of Oncology
Stanford University

Dr. Caswell-Jin is a medical oncologist and expert on breast cancer, cancer genetics, and genomics. She runs a research program at Stanford University that uses multi-omic analysis, modeling, real-world data, and clinical trials to develop personalized approaches to the care of people with or at high risk of breast cancer.

Assistant Professor of Medicine
Stanford University

Rachel is an experienced board-certified cancer genetic counselor at Stanford Health Care. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University, an instructor for the Stanford master’s program in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling and co-director of the cancer genetics training course. Rachel is Stanford’s representative to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) inherited colorectal, endometrial, and gastric cancer risk guidelines committee and is an active member of the Collaborative Group of the Americas on Inherited Gastrointestinal Cancer. She is a hereditary cancer support group facilitator at Bay Area Cancer Connections (BACC) in collaboration with Facing our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE).

Rachel is passionate about improving cascade genetic testing rates to lower the burden of cancer for individuals and their families. She began working with the PROACT research team in 2021 on an NIH-funded research study investigating novel approaches to increase cascade testing of family members and is excited to bring her enthusiasm and expertise to PROACT.

Certified Genetic Counselor, Cancer Genetics and Genomics
Clinical Associate Professor (Affiliated) of Pediatrics (Genetics)
Stanford University

Rozelle is a Research Program Manager at Stanford University School of Medicine, specializing in cancer genetics and genomics research. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with her Bachelor of Science in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology and an Inter-Professional Health Post-Baccalaureate Certificate from the University of California, San Francisco. Rozelle has a strong background in managing regulatory submissions, subject recruitment, and biospecimen handling, and has successfully coordinated multiple research projects, enrolling over 400 patients in various cancer genetics protocols. Her background in molecular biology and inter-professionalism has aided in her expertise in data management, analysis, and protocol renewals, along with wet laboratory skills such as DNA extraction and biospecimen processing.

Program Manager, Cancer Genetics & Genomics
Stanford University

Sonia is a clinical research coordinator associate for the Stanford School of Medicine, department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics. She received her B.A. in anthropology and intensive sociology from the University of California Santa Cruz. She is also the family health navigator for the Genetic Information and Family Testing (GIFT) Study. GIFT's mission is to help families beat cancer. It aims to save lives through education and communication about cancer risk and prevention in families. PROACT also aims to do the same.

When someone learns they have a pathogenic variant that increases their risk for cancer, it means their family members might also be at risk. For too long, the difficult job of talking about family cancer risk has fallen to the cancer patients alone. Sonia assists individuals and families in navigating the healthcare system in relation to cancer genetics and testing.

Clinical Research Coordinator Associate
Family Health Navigator, Cancer Genetics and Genomics
Stanford University

Dr. Thompson is a breast surgeon with a focus on equitable care and addressing healthcare disparities. In her capacity as director of cancer health equity, Dr. Thompson leads the Alameda County Black Breast Health seminar series. Dr. Thompson also leads research on genetic risk and prognosis among diverse populations.

Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery
Medical Director, Office of Cancer Health Equity
Stanford University

Dr. Katz leads CanSORT, an interdisciplinary program focused on population and intervention studies of cancer care quality and outcomes in diverse populations. He is a national leader in research that addresses cancer treatment communication and decision-making, with a strong focus on improving breast cancer care and outcomes. His work has been continuously supported by the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Katz leads the ongoing GIFT trial of cascade genetic testing based in cancer registries, together with Dr. Kurian and Dr. Lawrence An.

Professor of Medicine and Health Management and Policy
Director, Cancer Surveillance and Outcomes Research Team (CanSORT)
University of Michigan

Dr. An is a pioneer in cancer communications and survivorship research, with a long-term focus on improving health outcomes for patients and families. He has deep expertise in the development and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI)-based health care communication platforms and has led development of more than 150 such programs. Dr. An co-leads the GIFT trial of cascade genetic testing in cancer registries, together with Dr. Kurian and Dr. Katz.

Associate Professor of Medicine
Director, Center for Health Communications Research, Cancer Survivorship Program and the
Communication and Dissemination Core
University of Michigan

Lindsay Avner, Founder and CEO Emerita of Bright Pink, serves as Senior Advisor to the Bright Pink PROACT Program at Stanford Medicine, which aims to aims to democratize access to cascade genetic testing and help save lives from breast and ovarian cancer. After discovering she carried a BRCA1 gene mutation, Lindsay made history in 2006 as the youngest woman in the U.S. to undergo a risk-reducing double mastectomy. Motivated to transform how women approach breast and ovarian health, she founded Bright Pink in 2007. Under her leadership, the organization grew into a national presence, educating over 2 million women on proactive health strategies.

Lindsay has emerged as a leading voice in breast and ovarian health. She co-chaired the CDC’s Provider Education Working Group within the Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women, where she helped shape national cancer prevention strategies. As Senior Advisor to the Bright Pink PROACT Program at Stanford Medicine, she leverages her extensive experience in supporting and engaging women at risk to ensure the program’s resources are both impactful and accessible.