Ashish M. Kamat

Professor of Urologic Oncology (Surgery) and Cancer Research at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center Founding President of the International Bladder Cancer Group (IBCG) Co-President of the International Bladder Cancer Network (IBCN) Chair of the SIU Innovators Committee

Laura Bukavina

Laura Bukavina, MD MPH MSc, is a urologic oncologist at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, and an Assistant Professor of Urology at Case Western Reserve University School of medicine. Dr. Bukavina specializes in the care of patients with bladder, kidney, penile and prostate cancer. Dr. Bukavina is a recipient of multiple grants and awards for her dedication to bladder and kidney cancer research, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Data for Action, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Young Investigator, American Urologic Association (AUA) Research Scholar and Society of Women in Urology (SWIU) Elizabeth Pickett Award. She has been recognized for her research evaluating interplay between genetics, microbiome and tumor microenvironment. Further, her recognition by the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) as one of the Top Women in Cancer Research underscores her standing as a pioneering figure among women cancer surgeon scientists. Dr. Bukavina was born in Ukraine and raised in Cleveland. She earned her medical degree at Northeast Ohio Medical University, her Master of Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins and her Master of Immunology at Drexel University. She completed her urologic residency training at Case Western Reserve University and UH, followed by prestigious fellowship in urologic oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Dr. Bukavina's research strikes a delicate balance between exploring the vast potential of the microbiome and revolutionizing bladder cancer treatment. In addition, she has received extensive training in complex kidney cancer care, serving as expert panelist on Society of Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Guideline Committee for renal cell carcinoma. Dr. Bukavina focuses on both open and minimally invasive surgical procedures in bladder, kidney, prostate and penile cancer, bringing to University Hospitals excellency in surgical expertise. She is well published in nerve preservation in bladder cancer, focusing on nerve and organ preservation in male and female cystectomies utilizing minimally invasive techniques. In addition to surgeon scientist role, Dr. Bukavina is an associate editor for European Urology, most prestigious journal within urology, a Society of Urologic Oncology (YOU) board member, and a member of the Urology Times editorial board – all focused on advancing the surgical and scientific frontier of urologic oncology and clinical trial development. On a more personal note, her ties to Ukraine have deeply influenced her philanthropic pursuits. She invests time and effort into various volunteer missions, with a primary aim of augmenting surgical skills and raising healthcare awareness in Ukraine.

Kristen Scarpato

Dr. Kristen Scarpato is an Associate Professor in the Department of Urology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). She received her Doctor of Medicine from Tufts University School of Medicine and Master of Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health. She completed her Urology Residency at the University of Connecticut and her Fellowship in Urologic Oncology at Vanderbilt University. She proudly serves as the Urology Residency Program Director and Vice Chair of Education within the Department. Dr. Scarpato’s clinical practice focuses on the diagnosis and management of bladder and prostate cancer. She has particular interests in focal therapy and salvage prostate ablation as well as advanced prostate cancer. Currently, she is the site PI at VUMC for a national trial examing patient centered outcomes among patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Additionally, she leads several clinical trials evaluating the utility of specific biomarkers in the diagnosis and management of bladder cancer. Dr. Scarpato remains committed to advancing the field of urology through education and she maintains a strong interest in both patient and resident education. She enjoys collaborating on educational endeavors with many local and national organizations. She has been the course co-director for the Americal Urological Association’s Annual Board Review Course since 2020. She is the AUA Representative for the Commission on Cancer at the American College of Surgeons. She serves on the Society of Urologic Oncology Fellowship Committee, Young Urologic Oncologist Executive Committee, AUA Core Curriculum Online Content Team (Prostate), Urology Practice Editorial Committee, Urology Care Foundation Public Education Council and is the chair of the Urology Care Foundation Bladder Health Committee.

AUANewsWorthy Roundtable: Breaking News in Bladder Cancer Advancements

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