San Diego, California — April 13, 2026 — The PRECEDE Foundation today announced the appointments of Bryson Katona, MD, PhD, AGAF, CGAF, and Raymond Wadlow, MD, to its Executive Committee, strengthening its leadership as it advances global efforts to improve early detection of pancreatic cancer. Dr. Katona and Dr. Wadlow bring deep expertise in cancer genetics, clinical research, and patient care.
The appointments come as PRECEDE continues to expand its global network of leading institutions focused on identifying individuals at high risk and advancing research that can enable earlier diagnosis—widely recognized as the most critical factor in improving survival for pancreatic cancer.
“Bryson and Raymond are exceptional leaders whose expertise will help accelerate our progress toward earlier detection and better outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients,” said Diane Simeone, MD, Founder of the PRECEDE Consortium and Director of Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health. “Their work spans the full spectrum of discovery and care, and their leadership will be instrumental as we continue to grow this global effort.”
Dr. Katona is the Jeffrey and Cynthia King Associate Professor of Lynch Syndrome Research in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. He also serves as Executive Director of the King Center for Lynch Syndrome at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center and Director of Penn’s Gastrointestinal Cancer Genetics Program. A physician-scientist specializing in hereditary gastrointestinal cancer syndromes, his work focuses on improving diagnosis, risk assessment, and management for individuals with inherited cancer risk.
“Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to detect early, particularly for individuals with inherited risk,” said Katona. “PRECEDE’s collaborative model brings together the global expertise needed to better identify high-risk individuals and develop strategies that can truly make a difference. I am honored to join the Executive Committee and contribute to this important work.”
Dr. Katona also brings extensive leadership experience to the role. He currently serves as Treasurer of the Collaborative Group of the Americas on Inherited Gastrointestinal Cancer (CGA-IGC), and is vice-chair of the AGA Institute Council’s Gastrointestinal Oncology section. He also chairs the Publications Committee for the PRECEDE Consortium, helping to advance the dissemination of critical research findings.
Dr. Wadlow is a gastrointestinal oncologist specializing in pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers at the Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Fairfax, Virginia, where he serves as division chief of oncology and co-director of the gastrointestinal oncology research program. He is also director of the high-risk pancreatic clinic at the Inova Saville Cancer Screening and Prevention Center and a principal investigator in the PRECEDE Consortium.
“My commitment to pancreatic cancer research and care is both professional and deeply personal,” said Wadlow. “PRECEDE represents a powerful opportunity to bring together leading institutions and accelerate progress in early detection. I am honored to join the Executive Committee and contribute to efforts that can meaningfully improve outcomes for patients and families.”
After graduating from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Dr. Wadlow completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Pennsylvania before pursuing hematology-oncology fellowship training at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital. His career path was profoundly shaped by personal loss after his mother, the late Virginia state senator Emily Couric—sister of journalist Katie Couric—died of pancreatic cancer at age 54. He has since dedicated his career to advancing research and improving care for patients at risk for or diagnosed with pancreatic and other gastrointestinal cancers. Dr. Wadlow is the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and brings experience spanning both academic research and community oncology practice.
Members of the PRECEDE Foundation Executive Committee include Diane Simeone, MD; Randall Brand, MD; Jessica Everett, MS, CGC; John Graff, PhD, MS; Fay Kastrinos, MD; Sonia Kupfer, MD; Aimee Lee Lucas, MD, MS; Giovanni Parmigiani, PhD; Rosie Sears, PhD; and George Zogopoulos, MD, PhD.
About the PRECEDE Foundation
The PRECEDE Foundation supports the PRECEDE Consortium, a global network of institutions working to improve early detection and prevention of pancreatic cancer in individuals at elevated risk. By advancing collaborative research, data sharing, and clinical innovation, PRECEDE aims to dramatically improve survival outcomes for one of the deadliest cancers.
