CO-MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Dr. D’souza is a board-certified medical oncologist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. She specializes in the treatment of genitourinary cancers, including prostrate, bladder and kidney cancers, and provides comprehensive care for a range of solid tumors.  Dr. D’souza completed her medical degree at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and her hematology/oncology fellowship at USC.  In addition to her clinical work, she plays a key role as Associate Program Director of the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program, helping train the next generation of oncologists.

CO-MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Dr. David Freyer is the Director of the Survivorship and Supportive Care Program at the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). He is a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC). Dr. Freyer oversees clinical cancer survivorship and supportive care services and research, including hematology/oncology-related behavioral health, neuropsychology, and health education.

NURSE NAVIGATOR

Charis is a registered nurse with many years of experience as an oncology research nurse at USC, before becoming the nurse navigator for AYA, Sarcoma, and Melanoma. Charis received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Minnesota and is currently obtaining her master’s degree in nursing at Arizona State University.

SOCIAL WORKER

Vanessa Castillo is the new AYA Oncology Social Worker. She looks forward to providing psychosocial support, navigate resources, educate, and advocate alongside our patients and their families! She has always had a hunger for learning, exploring, and being creative, which has led her to explore various areas in social work such as mental health, healthcare (inpatient and outpatient), and community outreach. Vanessa received her Bachelor degree in Sociology and Master of Social Work at California State University Northridge.

PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR

Aura Kuperberg, Ph.D., brings passion, insight, and wisdom to AYA@USC group-based programs addressing the psychosocial needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer. It was early in her career, while doing her social work internship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) in 1979 when she first dreamed of establishing support programs for these vulnerable young people. She earned a Ph.D. and a dual master’s degree from USC.

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR

Ms. Li received her master’s degree in Communication Management from the USC Annenberg School of Communication. With more than 15 years of expertise in program management, marketing, curriculum design, leadership development, and community outreach in higher education, she brings a wealth of experience to her role. Ms. Li's professional interests align closely with her responsibilities in the AYA cancer field, including expanding the AYA cancer network and raising awareness, crafting best practices, guidelines, and protocols, fostering educational and training initiatives, nurturing partnerships, enhancing psychosocial support systems, organizing AYA oncology research projects, and facilitating improved access to care. Ms. Li was the past president of USC Women in Management.