About the NMVB Research Evaluation Panel (REP)

The NMVB Research Evaluation Panel is composed of experts in the fields of mesothelioma and mesothelioma research, NMVB leadership, and a representative from the patient advocacy community. The Research Evaluation Panel is responsible for reviewing Letters of Intent submitted to the NMVB to determine the scientific merit of a proposed project and assess the ability of the Bank to meet the stated specimen requirements of the researcher. In addition to analyzing the proposed study design, the Research Evaluation Panel will consider whether the research question posed is of sufficient significance to warrant use of NMVB specimens.

NMVB REP Voting Members:

Michele Carbone, MD, PhD
Professor of Pathology
Thoracic Oncology Program, Cancer Research Center of Hawaii
University of Hawaii

Kathy Wiedemer
Interim Executive Director
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation


Joseph R. Testa, PhD
Senior Member and Director, Human Genetics Program
Fox Chase Cancer Center

Margaret R. Karagas, PhD
Professor and Section Head, Biostatistics and Epidemiology,
Department of Community and Family Medicine, Dartmouth Medical School
Associate Director, Center for Environmental Health Sciences at Dartmouth

Brooke T. Mossman, PhD Brooke T. Mossman, PhD
Professor of Pathology
Director, Environmental Pathology Program
University of Vermont, College of Medicine
Department of Pathology

NMVB REP Non-Voting Members:

Michael J. Becich, MD, PhD

Michael J. Becich, MD, PhD
Chairman, Department of Biomedical Informatics
Professor of Biomedical Informatics, Pathology, Information Sciences and Telecommunications
University of Pittsburgh


Michael Feldman, MD, PhD

Michael Feldman, MD, PhD
Associate Professor Pathology
University of Pennsylvania School Medicine
Assistant Dean for IT, Academic Programs
Medical Director, Pathology Informatics
Director, Tumor Tissue and Biospecimen Bank (TTAB)


Jonathan Melamed, MD
Associate Professor. Department of Pathology
New York University

Harvey I. Pass, MD Harvey I. Pass, MD
Professor of Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery
Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Director of Surgical Research
NYU School of Medicine and NCI Cancer Center


Arjun Pennathur, MD
Surgeon
Department of General Thoracic Surgery
UPMC St Margaret's
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center