Advertise on podcast: IJGC conversations

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez is joined by Dr. Gabriel Levin to discuss Decline of Trachelectomy in Early Cervical Cancer.    Dr. Gabriel Levin is a gynecologic oncologist and clinical researcher at Bar-Ilan University, and the Holy Family Hospital, Nazareth. His work focuses on real-world outcomes research, and health systems innovation in gynecologic cancers. He has authored more than 360 peer-reviewed publications and is actively involved in advancing evidence-based care through academic leadership, mentorship and international collaboration.

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez is joined by Drs. Alice Bergamini and Michael Seckl to discuss Management of Adult Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors.    Dr. Alice Bergamini is a gynecologist at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit of IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, and a University Researcher at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University. After graduating with honors and a special mention in Medicine and Surgery from Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in 2011, she specialized in Gynecology and Obstetrics at the same university in 2017. In 2021, she completed her Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine (Clinical and Experimental Medicine curriculum).Dr. Bergamini's primary clinical interests include the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological neoplasms, particularly rare gynecological cancers.She is involved in gynecological ultrasound diagnostics, hysteroscopy, ward activities, delivery room, and obstetric/gynecological emergency care. Additionally, she conducts clinical research in gynecological oncology, serving as both principal and sub-investigator in Phase II and III clinical trials, both national and international. Dr. Bergamini is a member of EURACAN, the European Society of Gynecological Oncology (ESGO), the International Gynecological Cancer Society (IGCS), the European Network for Gynaecological Oncological Trial Groups (ENGOT) rare tumor working group, the Multicenter Italian Trials in Ovarian Cancer and Gynecologic Malignancies (MITO), and the European Organization for the Treatment of Trophoblastic Disease (EOTTD). She is the author and co-author of numerous articles published in international scientific journals (H-Index 19) and regularly participates in national and international conferences. Michael Seckl is a Professor of Molecular Oncology at Imperial College London, where he leads research in lung cancer and trophoblastic disease. He earned his medical degree from UCL, completed oncology training, and obtained a PhD in signal transduction from the University of London. He directs the National Trophoblastic Disease and MOGCT Centre. An international leader in trophoblastic disease, he has held key roles in ISSTD, EOTTD, and EURACAN, and serves on multiple editorial and grant committees. His work is widely funded and recognized, earning him a Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci) in 2017.

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez, is joined by Dr. René Pareja to discuss Gynecologic Oncology Practice in Low & Middle Resource Settings.   Dr. René Pareja is a Gynecologist and Obstetrician, graduated from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín, Colombia in 2000; he finished his training in Gynecologic Oncology in 2003, from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and Instituto Nacional de Cancerología in Bogotá, Colombia. He is a minimally invasive surgeon, graduated from Corporación de Estudios de la Salud (CES) in 2013. He currently works at Astorga Oncology Clinic in Medellín and at National Cancer Institute in Bogotá, Colombia. Dr. Pareja serves as a reviewer for more than 20 journals. He has authored or co-authored nine book chapters and more than fifty publications in peer-reviewed journals. Currently he is an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Gynaecological Cancer and is a Council member of the International Gynecological Cancer Society Council. He also serves as an international mentor for the Hospital General San Juan de Dios in Guatemala through the IGCS Global Curriculum & Mentorship Program. Some of his research has influenced how gynecologic oncologists treat cancer and has been published in important medical journals, like the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, and Journal of Clinical Oncology.

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez is joined by Dr. Domenica Lorusso to discuss ROSELLA Trial: Overall Survival Outcomes.   Dr. Domenica Lorusso, MD, PhD, directs the Gynaecological Oncology Unit at Humanitas Hospital, Milan, and holds a Full Professorship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan. She has led/participated in approximately 250 phase I-IV clinical trials. Currently overseeing more than 60 studies as Principal Investigator, Dr. Lorusso also chairs the Clinical Trials Committee of the MITO Group. She serves on the Board of Directors of the GCIG and is an active member of ENGOT, where she chairs the Gynecological Cancer Academy. Additionally, she sits on the Board of Directors of the ESGO. With around 300 international oncology publications and contributions to national and international treatment guidelines, her primary objectives are to ensure optimal patient care, foster clinical research, and advance international collaborations and education in the field. Her recent work, “Overall survival with relacorilant and nab-paclitaxel in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (ROSELLA): a phase 3 randomised controlled trial,“ is published in the Lancet.

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez, is joined by Dr. Emese Zsiros to discuss KEYNOTE-B96: Pembrolizumab and Weekly Paclitaxel in Ovarian Cancer.   Emese Zsiros, MD, PhD, FACOG, is Chair of the Department of Gynecologic Oncology and the Shashi Lele, MD Endowed Chair at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she is also Professor of Oncology and co-leader of the Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Program. A high-volume gynecologic oncologic surgeon and clinical investigator, Dr. Zsiros specializes in the surgical and medical treatment of ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and other gynecologic cancers, with expertise in minimally invasive surgery, immunotherapy, cell-based therapies, and innovative clinical trials. She has contributed to more than 150 clinical trials and leads research focused on overcoming treatment resistance, improving immunotherapy, and integrating artificial intelligence and data-driven approaches into personalized cancer care. Dr. Zsiros earned her MD and PhD from the University of Debrecen in Hungary, completed her OB/GYN residency at Northwestern University, and trained in Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania. She joined Roswell Park in 2014 and became the institution’s first female surgical chair in 2022. Her work is driven by a commitment to surgical excellence, scientific innovation, mentorship, and improving both outcomes and quality of life for women with gynecologic cancers. Her recent work, “Pembrolizumab plus weekly paclitaxel in platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer (ENGOT-ov65/KEYNOTE-B96): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, phase 3 study,“ is published in the Lancet.

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez, is joined by Dr. René Pareja to discuss FIGO/IGCS Statement on Topical Treatments for HPV CIN3+.   Dr. René Pareja is a Gynecologist and Obstetrician, graduated from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín, Colombia in 2000; he finished his training in Gynecologic Oncology in 2003, from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and Instituto Nacional de Cancerología in Bogotá, Colombia. He is a minimally invasive surgeon, graduated from Corporación de Estudios de la Salud (CES) in 2013. He currently works at Astorga Oncology Clinic in Medellín and at National Cancer Institute in Bogotá, Colombia. Dr. Pareja serves as a reviewer for more than 20 journals. He has authored or co-authored nine book chapters and more than fifty publications in peer-reviewed journals. Currently he is an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Gynaecological Cancer and is a Council member of the International Gynecological Cancer Society Council. He also serves as an international mentor for the Hospital General San Juan de Dios in Guatemala through the IGCS Global Curriculum & Mentorship Program.Some of his research has influenced how gynecologic oncologists treat cancer and has been published in important medical journals, like the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, and Journal of Clinical Oncology.

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez, is joined by Aparna A. Kamat and Arthur Hsu to discuss GLP1-RAs and Cancer Risk in Non-diabetic Patients.   Dr. Aparna Kamat is the director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology for Houston Methodist and is currently the section leader for the Gynecologic Oncology service line. After completing medical training in India, Dr. Kamat completed her residency in OB/GYN at West Virginia University, where she served as chief resident. She completed her fellowship training in Gynecologic Oncology at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. During her fellowship, she received multiple awards for her research in ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer, including the Virginia K. Pierce award and the Asche Murray fellowship. She also received the prestigious BIRCWH award from the N.I.H. for her research in biomarkers for ovarian cancer. Dr. Kamat currently is the principal investigator for the Gynecologic Oncology Group Clinical Trials Program at Houston Methodist and offers several state-of-the-art clinical trials for patients with gynecologic malignancies. She serves on the board of Ovarcome – a non-profit organization that provides support for women with ovarian cancer and was named Ovarcome Hero of the Year. Her areas of expertise are robotic and minimally invasive surgical options for women with gynecologic cancers and complex pelvic disease. Her other clinical interests include hereditary risk assessment and treatment of gynecologic malignancies.   Arthur Heng-Cheng Hsu, MD, is a gynecologic oncologist at the National Taiwan University Hospital and focuses on surgery, cancer therapy, and patient recovery. He serves as the Director of Journal Operations for the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer (IJGC). His recent work is published in the Annals of Oncology exploring GLP-1 receptor agonist use and cancer risk in obese, non-diabetic adults.

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez, is joined by Paula Mateo-Kubach and Behrouz Zand to discuss Statin Use in Gynecologic Cancer Therapy.   Paula Mateo-Kubach, MD, is a Spanish physician who completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Toledo, Spain. She is currently a Research Fellow at Houston Methodist Hospital, where her work focuses on perioperative care and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). In parallel, she is pursuing a PhD at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, with research centered on ERAS implementation challenges and opioid use in surgical care. Her next goal is to complete clinical training in gynecologic oncology.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ When she is not filling her database, she can be found underwater, she is a PADI-certified rescue diver.   Dr. Behrouz Zand is a gynecologic oncologist at Houston Methodist Hospital's Neal Cancer Center and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and an assistant professor at Weill Cornell College at Houston Methodist Academic Institute. Specializing in innovative cancer care and clinical trials, he is passionate about integrating AI in medicine, a recent alumnus of the physician program at MIT for AI integration in healthcare. Dr. Zand combines cutting-edge research with compassionate patient care to advance the field.

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez, is joined by Sarah Andres and Mario M. Leitao Jr to discuss Empty Lymph Node Packet in SLN Mapping for Endometrial Cancer.   Sarah Andres, DO, FACOG, is a Gynecologic Oncology Fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), with planned graduation in June, 2027. She additionally works within the Weigelt Laboratory conducting translational research and studying rare gynecologic malignancies. Dr. Andres has contributed extensively to the field through her recent research, with work published in leading journals such as Gynecologic Oncology and the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. Her recent publications explore critical topics including sentinel lymph node mapping techniques in uterine cancer, outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer, and genomic characterization of endometrial serous carcinoma. Her clinical and research interests span cervical, endometrial, and ovarian carcinoma, with contributions to multiple clinical trials and retrospective studies.   Dr. Mario M. Leitao, Jr., MD, FACOG, FACS, is currently an Attending Surgeon in the Department of Surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Cornell Medical College. He currently serves as Program Director for the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship. Dr. Leitao is also the Director for the Minimal Access and Robotic Surgery Program in the Department of Surgery for MSKCC. Dr. Leitao is the recipient of the 2025 IGCS Excellence in Teaching Award.

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez, is joined by Santiago Vieira-Serna to discuss Contralateral pelvic lymph node metastases in patients with unilateral early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer.   Dr. Santiago Vieira-Serna is a gynecologic oncologist who graduated from the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología in Bogotá, Colombia, in 2023. He currently works at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología and at Clínica Universitaria Colombia.

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez, is joined by Gabriel Levin to discuss Salpingo-oophorectomy at Radical Hysterectomy for Cervical Adenocarcinoma.   Dr. Gabriel Levin is a gynecologic oncologist and clinical researcher at McGill University and the McGill University Health Centre. His work focuses on real-world outcomes research, and health systems innovation in gynecologic cancers. He has authored more than 330 peer-reviewed publications and is actively involved in advancing evidence-based care through academic leadership and international collaboration.

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez, is joined by Dr. Giuseppe Caruso to discuss Lymphadenectomy in Early-Stage Ovarian Cancer.   Dr. Giuseppe Caruso, MD PhD works as a consultant gynecologic oncologist at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milan (Italy), under the mentorship of Prof. Nicoletta Colombo. He holds a PhD in “Network Oncology and Precision Medicine” from the Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome. He is a research collaborator at Mayo Clinic, Rochester (MN, USA); an honorary faculty member of the European School of Oncology (ESO) College; and a member of the European Network of Young Gynae Oncologists (ENYGO) Executive Group.

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez, is joined by Dr. Robert Coleman to discuss Vaccine Therapy in Ovarian Cancer: Role of Gemogenovatucel-T.   Dr. Coleman completed his Obstetrics & Gynecology residency at Northwestern University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, and completed his fellowship at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in 1993. From 1993-1996, he served as Assistant Professor at Creighton University followed by service as Vice-Chairman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Coleman joined as Faculty at MD Anderson Cancer center in 2004 and served as Professor and Executive Director for Cancer Network Research, holding the Ann Rife Cox Chair in Gynecology. In March 2020, he joined US Oncology Research (USOR) as Chief Scientific Officer and served briefly as Chief Medical Officer for Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI). He practices at Texas Oncology, US Oncology Network and currently serves as Chief Medical officer for Vaniam Group. He also serves as Vice President, GOG Foundation and is Special Advisor to the President for GOG Partners. Dr. Coleman has authored or coauthored over 800 scientific publications, including over 500 peer-reviewed articles, along with numerous book chapters, monographs, invited articles, and textbooks. He was the 2019 APGO-CREOG awardee for Excellence in Teaching. He serves as Vice President of GOG-Foundation, Inc. He served as President of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO, 2015-2016) and President of International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS, 2020-2022). He was inducted into MJH Life Sciences™ 2020 class of “Giants in Cancer Care®.”

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez, is joined by Drs. Brian M. Slomovitz and David M. Gershenson to discuss Ribociclib Plus Letrozole in Recurrent Low-Grade Serous Carcinoma of the Ovary: GOG 3026.   Dr. Slomovitz is a Gynecologic Oncologist at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida, and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University. He is an internationally recognized leader in gynecologic oncology clinical trials, specifically in immunotherapy and novel biomarker therapeutics. He also is a leader in sentinel lymph node detection for gynecologic malignancies.   Dr. David M. Gershenson have been engaged in several aspects of clinical and translational research of rare ovarian cancers. In the 1980s, his focus was primarily on improving therapies for patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors and ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors. Since the late 1980s, his research has concentrated on women with serous borderline tumors and low-grade serous ovarian cancer. In collaboration with Dr. Elvio Silva, they described the clinical course of women with serous borderline tumors and peritoneal implants, some of whom subsequently developed low-grade serous ovarian cancer. In 2004, he was part of the MD Anderson team who transformed the field by defining the binary histologic grading system for serous carcinoma, subsequently adopted by the World Health Organization. Several observational cohort studies of low-grade serous carcinoma followed, documenting the indolent nature of this rare subtype reflected in its prolonged overall survival, its relative insensitivity to chemotherapy, the efficacy of endocrine therapy in multiple clinical settings, the role of neoadjuvant therapy, the role of secondary cytoreductive surgery, the efficacy of bevacizumab, and the identification of the MAP kinase signaling pathway’s role in its pathogenesis. During that period, he was also chairing the Gynecologic Oncology Group’s Rare Tumor Committee (2005-2018), which was developing clinical trials specifically for rare ovarian cancers, including low-grade serous carcinoma. Much of this work culminated in the publication of GOG 281/LOGS, a positive randomized phase 3 clinical trials of the MEK inhibitor, trametinib, compared to physician’s choice standard of care, published in The Lancet in 2022. Additional seminal publications in 2022 included identifying mutations in the MAP kinase signaling pathway as a major prognostic factor and providing preliminary evidence that treatment with contemporary postoperative therapy may be reducing relapse rates. Finally, he is the Co-Principal Investigator of two important clinical trials to define the optimal primary adjuvant therapy (NRG-GY-019) and to determine the efficacy of letrozole plus ribociclib in women with recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma (GOG 3026).

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez, is joined by Lucia Ribero, Vanna Zanagnolo to discuss Single-Port Robotic Surgery: Safety and Feasibility.   Lucia Ribero, MD, is a gynecologist and postdoctoral research fellow in Gynecologic Oncology at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) in Milan, Italy. She completed her medical training and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Cordoba, Argentina. She is currently involved in clinical and translational research in gynecologic oncology. Her main areas of interest include ovarian and endometrial cancer, surgical oncology, and translational research in a multidisciplinary setting.     Dr. Vanna Zanagnolo is a distinguished Unit Director of Minimally-invasive and Robotic Gynecologic Cancer Surgery Unit in European Institute of Oncology (IEO) in Milan, Italy. She is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological cancers, including endometrial, ovarian, cervical, vulvar, and vaginal tumors. She specializes in providing ultra-specialist, multidisciplinary care focused on achieving optimal patient outcomes. An alumna of the University of Brescia, Dr. Zanagnolo graduated in Medicine and Surgery and specialized in Gynecology and Obstetrics, earning cum laude honors for both degrees. Her academic and professional journey includes a prestigious research fellowship at Johns Hopkins University, where she conducted foundational studies in reproductive health. She attended the International Gyn Oncology fellowship at Ohio State University and the fellowship in Gyn Robotic Surgery at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, AZ. With over 160 scientific publications to her name, Dr. Zanagnolo is a recognized leader in her field. She has held several prominent leadership roles and memberships in elite medical societies, notably serving as the President of the Society of European Robotic Gynaecological Surgery in 2023.