Biography

For patients undergoing surgery, whenever possible, Dr. Malafa uses minimally invasive approaches. He's experienced at performing robotic whipple, robotic distal pancreatectomy, robotic colectomy and robotic liver resections.In addition to Dr. Malafa's time in the clinic and operating room, he continues to work in research and is a Senior Member in the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology and the Chemical Biology and Molecular Medicine Program at Moffitt. As a physician-scientist, he is enthusiastically investigating novel approaches to prevent pancreatic cancer and colorectal cancer. Dr. Malafa has been funded by the NIH to translate to the clinic the discovery from his laboratory that a unique natural form of vitamin E delta-tocotrienol can prevent pancreatic cancer and possibly prevent pancreas cancer relapse and metastasis. His group has also discovered that delta-tocotrienol can prevent the development and spread of colorectal cancer. Dr. Malafa is actively involved in carrying out and designing several clinical trials to bring discoveries from his laboratory to patients.Outside of Moffitt, Dr. Malafa is Vice Chair of the NCCN Pancreas Panel. He's also a board member on the Emeritus Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN). He has been honored as USA Best Doctors every year since 1999. He was awarded the 2000 Humanism in Medicine Award by the Healthcare Foundation in New Jersey. So far in his career, he has been honored to speak around the world on a host of topics and contributed to more than 130 peer-reviewed publications.Dr. Malafa is especially proud of his service as a teacher, a commitment that has been recognized with the Golden Apple Award at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in 1996 as well as numerous outstanding teaching and mentorship awards at both the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and the University of South Florida. In addition, he is a Professor in the Department of Oncologic Services at the University of South Florida.… Read more ›