The Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) continues to grow with the expansion of administrative personnel. In 2024, the CCIL has hired the following team members to support the center’s research, education, and outreach efforts.
Cheryl Casimiro
Business and Finance Coordinator
Cheryl joined the university in August 2008, working in the Card Services department where she was responsible for managing the university-wide Purchasing and Travel Card program. She further enhanced her knowledge of university business operations when she joined the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) as a Grants and Contracts Coordinator. At NCSA, she worked closely with stakeholders to ensure compliance with state and federal policies and regulations, monitored sponsored project timelines and budgets, managed State, ICR, Gift, and Service accounts, and supported NCSA staff members.
David Dibble
Senior Director of Development
With over 20 years of experience in higher education fundraising, David has a proven track record of connecting donors with organizations and building authentic, lasting relationships. At TCU’s AddRan College of Liberal Arts, he led the development of a high-end annual giving program for the college and enhanced the Board of Visitors with a new and diverse membership. Previously, Dibble also led the national fundraising and capital campaign efforts of TCU’s Neeley School, a top-25 business program. He has deep experience with parent giving and regional development in California, Washington DC, and the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut regions. At the University of Texas at Austin, David developed strategic communication strategies for the McCombs School of Business. He served as Assistant Director of Development for the Harry Ransom Center, a renowned cultural archive, managing an active membership program and an effective volunteer board.
Stephanie Dietrich
Educational Programs Manager
Stephanie helps strengthen and grow the center’s educational outreach and engagement efforts. Stephanie previously worked as a Twenty-First Century Community Learning Center Director for Northern Illinois University and as a Library Director for Naperville School District 203. Stephanie is a licensed K-12 educator and holds a Master of Science in Library and Information Sciences from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from North Central College.
Craig Richard
Educational Engagement Postdoctoral Scholar
Craig earned his Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2023. Prior to this he earned his bachelor’s degree in biological engineering from Louisiana State University. His research focused on the intersection of nanotechnology, biology, and imaging where he developed Infrared-active nanoparticle probes for studying the tumor microenvironment. He is also a former Tissue Microenvironment (TiME) Training Program fellow. Craig has also turned his passion for science and science communication into a social media presence where he breaks down complex scientific topics into easily digestible tidbits. In his role as the Educational Engagement Postdoctoral Scholar, he utilizes these skills to bridge the gap between researchers and the public and helps develop and organize outreach initiatives.
Angela M. Slates
Program Manager
Angela M. Slates serves as the Program Manager for CCIL research programs. In this role, she acts as the key connector among the program leaders, working groups, senior leadership, external partners, and various stakeholders. Her responsibilities involve directing both inter-group and intra-group collaborative initiatives toward the enrichment of fundamental collaborations in Cancer research. Angela brings over a decade of experience in program management and DEI program development to her role at the CCIL. Prior to joining the CCIL, she was Program Coordinator and Assistant Teaching Professor at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. Additionally, she served as the DEI/Student Engagement Coordinator for the Grainger College of Engineering’s “Regenerative Energy-Efficient Manufacturing of Thermoset Polymeric Materials” (REMAT) program, and as Assistant Director for Equity and Student Engagement at Champaign Unit 4 Schools. Angela has a Ph.D. in Education Policy and Organization Leadership from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.