A Life Dedicated to Cancer Research

Dr. Rachna Shroff, a distinguished Indian-American oncologist and expert in bile duct cancer, passed away at the age of 47. Her contributions to the field as a senior physician-scientist at the University of Arizona Cancer Center have left a lasting impact, particularly in the realm of cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer with previously limited treatment options.

Professional Milestones

At the time of her passing, Dr. Shroff held multiple significant roles, including:

• Associate Director of Clinical Investigations at the University of Arizona Cancer Center
• Chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Tucson
• John F. and Valli S. Duval Endowed Professor for Gastrointestinal Oncology
• Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research

Dr. Shroff’s dedication to research yielded over 80 scientific publications and more than 130 presentations internationally, garnering her national recognition within the oncology community.

Advocacy and Legacy

Despite her battle with cancer, Dr. Shroff actively pursued her passion for advancing cancer research. In September, she established the Conquer Cancer–Rachna Shroff FASCO Endowed Young Investigator Award in Biliary Cancers. Her efforts successfully raised over $1.35 million to bolster future research initiatives.

The University of Arizona Cancer Center honored her memory, declaring her an “internationally revered clinician-scientist, mentor, and leader” whose influence reshaped gastrointestinal oncology.

Educational Background

Raised in Tucson by a family deeply rooted in medicine—her father as a biochemist and her mother as a nephrologist—Dr. Shroff’s passion for cancer research emerged early in her life. She was awarded the 1993 Osler Fellowship as a high school student, facilitating her work at the University of Arizona Cancer Center.

Dr. Shroff completed her undergraduate education at Brown University, followed by earning her medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University. She pursued a fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2010 and was a faculty member until she returned to Arizona in 2018.

Advancements in Clinical Trials

Throughout her career, Dr. Shroff led numerous clinical trials aimed at innovating treatment strategies for biliary cancers. Her specialized research included studies on cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and other hepatobiliary conditions. She also served as co-chair of the Hepatobiliary Subcommittee of the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and chaired GI ASCO 2024, a key gastrointestinal cancer conference led by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

A Cherished Life Beyond Medicine

Beyond her substantial professional achievements, Dr. Shroff valued her roles as a wife and mother. She is survived by her husband, Puneet Shroff, a physician, and their two children, Simran and Sachin. Also mourning her loss are her parents, Devendar and Amita Trivedi, and her sister, Neema Sahni.