Dr. Farhangfar received her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Chicago and performed her post-doctoral training at Harvard Medical School in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology. Subsequently, she used her training in protein biochemistry, signal transduction, G-protein coupled receptors and kinases in biotechnology and in drug discovery and development leading to multiple NIH grants, patent applications, and IND applications on novel drug candidates to the FDA.  Subsequently, she was recruited by MD Anderson Cancer Center as Executive Director of Research in Cancer Medicine and ultimately worked with leaders to create the Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy prior to joining Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute (LCI) in 2013 with the goal to bring precision oncology to the community.

As head of LCI Translational Research at Levine Cancer Institute, she was responsible for developing the infrastructure and programs to support translational research across all 25+ sites integrated routinely into clinical practice. This program includes implementation of a genomics program – clinical and research, creation of policies and tools for clinicians, multiple umbrella-master research protocols, biospecimen repository across the system, virtual Molecular Tumor Board for all locations, and refining approach to integrate translational research into the routine clinic practice and clinical trial matching automatically from clinical genomics reports – even at the smallest remote locations, collection of quality data across the system for research purposes, and development of a translational epidemiology and outcomes research program to transform the way patients are treated. Decision support in this setting is vital and the apps developed led to increased clinical trial accrual and decreased disparities in genomics testing. Finding solutions that accomplish these goals while controlling and potentially decreasing cost provides value for the healthcare system and patient. Most recently, she has been involved in the integration and harmonization as the system grows with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center and Advocate Aurora Health.

Being part of WIN provides opportunities to advance precision oncology faster, develop novel trials and research programs, and provide more options for patients.