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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know US Affairs News India Times (April 11, 2026 - April 17, 2026) April 17, 2026 7 Mayor Carl Sheline Of Lewiston, Maine Endorses Dr. Nirav Shah For Governor I ndian American candidate for Gover- nor of Maine, Dr. Nirav Shah, received a major endorsement from the leader of the state’s second largest city April 9, 2026. Dr. Shah’s campaign announced the endorsement of Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline, calling it “a major development” in the highly competitive five-way Demo- cratic primary for governor. He was the first Democratic candidate to qualify for the ballot, subsequently building a team of more than 700 volun- teers. His campaign also claims to have been the first to launch a coordinated statewide organizing effort. He now leads in all five publicly released polls, the cam- paign said in its press release. Shah announced his run for the primary in October last year. Born in Wisconsin, Shah servcd for nearly a decade as a healthcare lawyer, then led the Illinois Depatment of Public Health, before being appointed in 2019, by Maine Governor Janet Mills as head of the Maine Center for Disease Control, tackling the Covid pandemic soon after taking over. President Biden tapped Shah to become the Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion–the agency’s second in command. After President Trump’s election, Shah returned home to Maine and is currently a faculty member at Colby College, teach- ing the next generation of public health leaders. His campaign sees Mayor Sheline’s endorsement as a signal of the growing consolidation of support behind Dr. Shah. “As mayor of Maine’s second-largest city, Sheline represents one of the most politically significant regions in the state — a community that will play a critical role in the primary and general elections,” his campaign maintains. “Lewiston and Maine are at a cross- roads, and we need a governor who can meet this moment,” Mayor Sheline is quoted saying in the press release. “I’ve seen what real leadership looks like in a crisis, and Dr. Shah has proven he can deliver. He led our state through one of the most difficult times in our history with honesty, clarity, and a relentless focus on protecting people.” “I’m deeply honored and grateful to have Mayor Sheline’s support,” said Dr. Shah. “He led Lewiston through incred- ibly challenging moments with strength, compassion, and a deep commitment to his community. His leadership reflects the very best of Maine, and I’m proud to stand alongside him as we work to build a more affordable, healthier, and stronger future for our state.” The Shah campaign recently opened its campaign headquarters and expanded its television ad reservations. Since launching his campaign, Dr. Shah has hosted 15 public town halls, earned endorsements from 3.14 Action, IMPACT, and dozens of community leaders, and released plans on health care, affordabil- ity, etc. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:FACEBOOK @SHAHFORMAINE Representative image of Lewiston, Maine Mayor Carl Sheline and Dr. Nirav Shah, candidate for Democratic primaries in race for Governor of Maine. Dr. Rachna Shroff Appointed First Head Of New Cancer Center Initiative At University Of Arizona D r. Rachna Shroff, associate director of clinical research, was chosen as the first to hold the new John F. and Valli S. Duval Endowed Professorship for Gastrointesti- nal Oncology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Tucson’s Compre- hensive Cancer Center. The Professorship was announced March 18, 2026, estab- lished through a $1 million gift from John and Valli Duval to support cancer research and clinical innovation at the University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center. A ceremony on March 12 recognized Shroff and her new professorship. The endowed professorship honors Dr. Shroff’s career as a “prolific physician- scientist, mentor and national leader in oncology,” the University said. The gift also aims to support sustained investment in clinical trials and compas- sionate patient care at the Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute- designated comprehensive cancer center headquartered in Arizona. “I’m honored to have been chosen for this inaugural endowed professorship and extremely grateful to the Duvals for their generosity,” Shroff is quoted saying in the press release. “This gift will allow the Can- cer Center to continue to invest in clinical trials, which are the only way to move the needle forward in cancer care. Every single cure that we now have for cancer started with a clinical trial.” The Duvals’ gift is expected to help ac- celerate clinical research and expand ac- cess to innovative treatments for patients. “The Duvals have spent a lifetime sup- porting academic medicine, and I thank them for this gift that will allow the Cancer Center and Dr. Shroff to continue to search for treatments and therapies that will benefit patients,” said Dr. Dan Theo- dorescu, director of the Cancer Center and the Nancy C. and Craig M. Berge Endowed Chair. “Dr. Shroff’s impact is evident not only in the scientific discoveries she has contributed to the field, but also in her leadership and steadfast determination to advance clinical trials that can lead to better outcomes for Arizonans.” Shroff, who is also chief of the Divi- sion of Hematology and Oncology at the College of Medicine – Tucson and medi- cal director of the oncology service line at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson, “has dedicated her career to advancing immunological therapies and novel drug treatments while never losing sight of the human side of medicine,” the University said. At the U of A, she has built a high-performing gastrointestinal oncology program and works to ensure patients have access to the latest scien- tific advances, it added. “Dr. Shroff’s research has helped usher in an era of personalized medicine, where doctors can target cancers based on each patient’s unique biology,” said Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, senior vice president for research and partnerships. Dr. Shroff is internationally recog- nized for her work in bile duct cancer, or cholangiocarcinoma. She started focus- ing on the rare and historically difficult- to-treat disease when few treatment options existed and no Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies were available. “Today, the field has changed dramatically, due in part to the landmark clinical trials Shroff has led as a principal investigator,” the University said. “Philanthropy plays a critical role in at- tracting and retaining physician-scientists like Dr. Shroff, whose work touches the lives of patients and their families every day,” said John-Paul Roczniak, president and CEO of the University of Arizona Foundation. By a StaffWriter Dr. Rachna Shroff celebrates with her spouse, Dr. Puneet Shroff, during the pre-ceremony reception at her investiture, March 12, 2026. PHOTO:MITCHELL MASILUN/U OF A HEALTH SCIENCES BIOCOMMUNICATIONS Community