Dr. Lionel A. Kankeu Fonkoua is an Assistant Professor of Oncology and Senior Associate Consultant within the Department of Medical Oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Originally from Cameroon (Central Africa), he completed his medical training (Medical School and Internal Medicine Residency) at Penn State University College of Medicine/ Penn State Hershey Medical Center, prior to joining Mayo Clinic in July 2018 for subspecialty training in Hematology/Oncology.  He joined the Faculty in July 2021 and specializes in the treatment of Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Cancers, with a research focus on the development of novel combinatorial immunotherapeutic strategies. In addition to his clinical and research activities, Dr. Kankeu Fonkoua is also committed to improving equitable access to care for ALL cancer patients, including the underserved and at-risk populations.

Dr. Strong joined the faculty of Florida State University College of Medicine in September 2019.  She spends most of her time in clinic practice and teaching at FSU Primary Health.

Dr. Strong moved to Tallahassee after medical school for her residency at Tallahassee Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program.  After completing her residency, she practiced in her hometown of Quincy, Florida for over seven years.  She then moved her practice to Patients First Appleyard where she was in private practice for over seventeen years.  Throughout her career, Dr. Strong has been involved in medical education.  She has served as a preceptor of first and second-year FSU College of Medicine students since the school’s inception.  She has been a preceptor at Tallahassee Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program since her graduation from the program.   

Dr. Strong has held many leadership roles.  She is a past president of the Florida Academy of Family Physicians and the William J. Gunn Medical Society, a local chapter of the National Medical Association.  She received the Young Leader Award from Florida Academy of Family Physicians in 2000.

In her personal time, Dr. Strong enjoys spending time with her family and traveling the world.

Sandra Ponce, MPH is the Liver Cancers Program Manager at the Global Liver Institute, where she leads the development and execution of patient-centered, equity-focused liver cancer education and awareness initiatives.

Sandra holds a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from the University of California, Riverside and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her academic training combines population-level public health analysis with a strong foundation in social determinants of health.

Prior to joining Global Liver Institute, Sandra served as a chair member of UCLA’s Mobile Clinic Project, where she collaborated with students, community volunteers, and medical professionals to deliver essential medical care and supportive services, including shelter coordination, transportation, and food access, to individuals experiencing homelessness. During her graduate studies, she also contributed to epidemiologic research examining the association between pesticide exposure and liver cancer in China.

At Global Liver Institute, Sandra leads the design and implementation of liver cancer programs tailored to patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers, with a focus on prevention, early detection, and emerging innovations. Her work addresses gaps in care while advancing health equity. She also oversees multidisciplinary education initiatives that convene patients, caregivers, community members, and clinicians to foster collaboration and promote equitable, patient-centered liver care across the continuum of prevention, detection, and treatment.