Meet the Team

Michaels founded and directed the Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials (ENACCT), a national advocacy organization that focused on increasing patient participation in cancer clinical research, especially among minority groups.

Michaels is Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at Boston University School of Public Health and Drexel School of Medicine, and serves as principal at Health Access and Action Consulting.

He also develops and tests new cancer treatments as the director of Experimental Therapeutics through clinical trials leveraging advancements in precision oncology and immunotherapy across a variety of cancer types.

Dr. George previously served as chair of the Medical Advisory Board to the State of Florida Department of Health and the Screen for Life Colorectal Cancer Screening Program, which targets historically underserved populations.

He also completed a 10-year term as the gubernatorial-appointed chair of the Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council, which advises the legislature, Department of Health, and state surgeon general on all cancer related matters and policy. He currently serves as the Interim Director of the UF Health Cancer Institute.

Dr. Mulaparthi is the Chairman of Watson Clinic Center for Research. She has 20 years of experience conducting clinical pharmaceutical and NCI cooperative research. Her cancer care combines the latest research oncologic interventions and medicines elevating the standard of care delivery for her patients.

Dr. Mulaparthi received her medical degree from the University of Health Sciences in Vijayawada, A.P., India. She went on to perform her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey and a fellowship in Hematology and Oncology at New York University Medical Center in New York, NY.

Dr. Mulaparthi is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. This designation signifies her advanced expertise of a broader range of skills and adherence to high standards of medical care. Dr. Mulaparthi is a member of the American Medical Association and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. She has published numerous manuscripts in various prestigious medical journals. Dr. Mulaparthi is recognized by her patients for her exceptional care and dedication.

She also serves as Assistant Director of the Cancer Training and Education Program at the UF Health Cancer Institute, as well as Director of the Recruitment Center and Communications and Dissemination Lead for the Clinical and Translational and Science Institute.

Dr. Bylund's grant funded research program, funded by Blood Cancer United and the National Institutes of Health, focuses on improving health care communication across the cancer continuum. She is the author of more than 215 peer-reviewed publications, has co-edited two books with Oxford University Press on healthcare communication and co-edited the Wiley International Encyclopedia of Health Communication.

Dr. Staras is a recognized expert in implementation science research methods. She applies her expertise to a broad range of research aimed to improve health outcomes.

Dr. Staras has led and co-led implementation in a variety of areas: prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers, uptake of Meningitis B vaccination among high school and college students, developing an acceptable decision support tool to aid primary care physicians in preventing opioid overdose, increased enrollment of underrepresented populations in cancer clinical trials, understanding the role of dental practitioners in health risk assessments, and improving hypertension treatment with precision-based solutions.