College News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Fast Track Designation to a new drug combination for metastatic colorectal cancer, following encouraging results from a clinical trial led in part by the University of Oklahoma Health Stephenson Cancer Center. The treatment offers potential hope for patients whose tumors lack a key DNA repair protein called ATM.

Abdul Rafeh Naqash, M.D., associate professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and an oncologist at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, has been named a fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO).

OKLAHOMA CITY – More than 800 people attended the 2025 Connect+Cure Gala on Wednesday night, raising $4.7 million to support research and programs at the University of Oklahoma Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center.

Citing a background of innovative cancer research, the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) has elected OU’s Priyabrata Mukherjee, Ph.D., as a foreign fellow. His fellowship will begin Jan. 1, 2026. Mukherjee is a tenured professor of pathology at the OU College of Medicine whose work focuses on tumor microenvironments and the interactions between proteins and nanoparticles. He holds the George Lynn Cross Research Professorship and the Presbyterian Health Foundation Presidential Professorship.

Michael Steiner, M.D., M.P.H., a nationally recognized physician leader in pediatric medicine and health services research, has been named chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and clinical service chief of pediatrics at OU Health. In these dual roles, Steiner will lead the department’s clinical, research and educational missions, advancing the University of Oklahoma’s academic health system and its commitment to excellence in pediatric care, innovation and training. He will begin in his new role in December 2025.