Masonic Cancer Center announces new leadership for the Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network
The Masonic Cancer Center (MCC), University of Minnesota is pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa Geller, MD, MS, and Rebekah Pratt, PhD, as co-medical directors of the Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network (MNCCTN) as of September 2026. Drs. Geller and Pratt succeed Douglas Yee, MD, who has led the Network as Medical Director since February 2025.
The Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network is a cancer clinical trials network led by MCC with locations across Minnesota, funded by the Minnesota legislature as part of the University of Minnesota's MnDRIVE strategic initiative. MNCCTN's partner organizations aim to improve cancer outcomes for all Minnesotans through greater access to cancer clinical trials for both prevention and treatment. Nearly half of all Minnesotans will be diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening cancer during their lifetimes, and cancer remains the leading cause of death in our state; this makes broad, equitable access to the latest advances in cancer research a statewide imperative.
In their new roles, Drs. Geller and Pratt will guide the Network’s strategy for expanding access to cancer clinical trials across Minnesota, strengthening partnerships with community oncology practices and health systems, growing the portfolio of prevention and treatment trials available to patients, and addressing the cancer disparities that persist across Minnesota’s communities.
Dr. Geller is a professor and gynecologic oncologist with the U of M Medical School and also serves as associate director of clinical research at MCC. Her clinical and research work focuses on gynecologic cancers, with an emphasis on novel immunotherapy clinical trials for women with recurrent ovarian cancer. Geller’s MNCCTN efforts will focus on providing medical and strategic direction for therapeutic clinical trials and interventional, clinic-based oncology studies.
Dr. Pratt is an associate professor with the U of M Medical School and serves as co-associate director of community outreach and engagement at MCC. Her research focuses on addressing disparities in preventive health, including cancer prevention and screening, through community-engaged approaches with underserved communities across Minnesota. Pratt’s MNCCTN efforts will focus on providing strategic leadership and direction for non-therapeutic research and studies in community and primary care clinics.
Together, Drs. Geller and Pratt bring complementary expertise spanning clinical trial design and execution, translational research, community engagement, and cancer equity. Their shared leadership will help the Network grow its portfolio of trials available to Minnesotans, reduce barriers to participation, and strengthen the connections between laboratory discoveries and patients across the state.