Michael D. Toboni, M.D., MPH. assistant professor in the UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was recently named the leader of the Gynecologic Oncology Disease Working Group (DWG) within the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Gynecologic Oncology DWG is one of fifteen unique disease focused working groups that are interdisciplinary teams composed of clinical and translational investigators functioning through monthly meetings to prioritize, activate and ensure accrual to clinical trials to support the overall research mission of both UAB and the O’Neal.

In this role, he will help develop research priorities and build upon the excellent track record of the DWG, which has a diverse portfolio of pharmaceutical-sponsored, National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsored, including trials from the NCI and NRG Oncology, formerly the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG), as well as investigator-initiated trials. Of note, UAB is one of the original 11 members of the GOG which has been instrumental in both preventative and therapeutic evaluations for women at risk for developing or following a diagnosis of gynecologic cancer.

This relationship continues to the current day, although the GOG has now merged into NRG Oncology. Dr. Toboni is currently a member of the NRG Oncology Endometrial Cancer Disease Site Committee and is the local principal investigator of four clinical trials at UAB as well as a National PI of a clinical trial under development with NRG Oncology and will continue to work with Gynecologic Oncologic DWG former leaders Rebecca Arend, M.D., MPH, and Trey Leath, III, M.D., to ensure access to novel and potentially paradigm-changing clinical trials.