Meet The Team

M.A. NEZAMI, MD

Dr. Nezami is a graduate of USC and UCSF residencies. He has functioned as a faculty during his training as well as invited presenter at society of teachers in Family medicine. He has been in practice for 20 years and currently is the president of Pacific Medical Center of Hope in California. He is promoting research in conventional and integrative oncology, in cutting edge.

Dr. Nezami serves as national and international speaker in oncology and epigenetic science.  He has been involved in many research projects and publications, presentations (including Society of integrative oncology( SIO), American Association for Cancer Research ( AACR), Molecular Medicine Triconference, World Molecular Imaging( WMI), and World Pharmaceutical Congress, NCI-AACR, …. Author, Integrative Medicine, A Clinician Journal, as well as author and coauthor in oncology literature.

Dr. Nezami is an inventor and innovator and has designed a patented novel method of treating patients with advanced cancer, called Modified Multi Molecular Targeted Epigenetic Therapy (MTET). With this method, during the last 7 years, he has successfully treated many patients, mostly with advanced stage four cancer who had failed all other conventional methods. National Cancer Institute and all their related oncology consultants have confirmed this method of treating patients with cancer as novel and effective. Several cancer institutions, including MD Anderson cancer center and private oncology centers have already started investigating his method in either preclinical or clinical settings, showing “extraordinary” results.

Dr. Nezami has served as principal investigator by National Institute of Health ( NIH); for TACT trial and is currently involved both in research and publications( as coauthor) with National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the best case series of complimentary and alternative cancer therapies.

RONALD J. MACIEL, RETIRED JUDGE OF THE CALIFORNIA SUPERIOR COURT

Ronald J. Maciel is a retired Judge of the California Superior Court. He has a diverse background, both on and off the bench. In addition to law, he holds a CPA license, and has held general contractors and real estate broker licenses. As a judge he participated in the Judicial Science Symposium at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California.

As a patient, he has observed firsthand the excellent standards of treatment of Dr.Nezami. Mr.Maciel’s youngest brother died of cancer.

Had Dr.Nezami’s treatment protocol been available at that time, the outcome would most assuredly have been different.

Mr. Maciel considers it an honor and privilege to be a part of the Advisory Board.

ZARI KARIMI, SEASONED AND CREATIVE BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL

Zari Karimi has accumulated more than 30 years of experience in sales, computer programming, academic teaching, and healthcare project management and has a successful track record as a seasoned and creative business professional.

Zari earned a Master’s Degrees in Mathematics and an Undergraduate degree in Computer Science. Zari holds the Project Management Professional accreditation certified by the Project Management Institute.

Zari began her professional career as a computer programmer and quickly earned a leading sales position within her organization based on her ability to articulate technically complex solutions to a non-technical audience; her customers. She has held sales and project management positions with both mid-level and Fortune 34 companies. Her entry into project management came from involvement in performing proof of concepts for her customers and seeing the integral role of the project manager in the execution of deliverables.

Currently, in addition to teaching Operations Management at California State University – Northridge Zari has been a Project Director with Anthem — America’s leading health Benefits Company since 2003.

REZA SHIRAZI, M.D.

Reza Shirazi, M.D.graduated Magna Cum Laude in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from California State University of Los Angeles and was recipient of the 1996 NASA & Jet Propulsion Laboratories, Outstanding Engineer of the Year Award. He earned his Master’s in Applied Physiology and medical degree from The Chicago Medical School at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in 2001. He served his internship at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, and completed his residency in Radiation Oncology at the University of Cincinnati Barrett Cancer Center where he served as the chief resident from 2005-2006. He is Board Certified in Radiation Oncology by the American Board of Radiology and recipient of the RSNA 2006 Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award. He joined Radiation Medical Group in 2006.

Dr. Shirazi serves on the board of directors of Genesis Healthcare Partners and Western Cancer Center. He is the former Chair of American Cancer Society San Diego County, former Chair of leadership council for American Cancer Society San Diego, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Physics at San Diego State University and recognized as one of San Diego’s Top Doctors by the San Diego Medical Society and San Diego Magazine in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018. He has several peer reviewed publications and presentations in National Scientific meetings and is an active member of the research arm of the Genesis Healthcare team.

Specific areas of interest and expertise include CyberKnife® stereotactic radiosurgery, Image guided radiotherapy (IGRT), Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for treatment of prostate, breast, pancreas, gastro-intestinal and SpaceOar for selected prostate cancer patients.

BRIAN GRIFFITH, BUSINESSMAN IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA.

Brian Griffith is an established Businessman in Orange County, Ca. and has had successful careers in Medical Sales and Finance.

Brian has worked with companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Smith & Nephew, and McKesson. Brian is currently Vice President of the The Bench a national recruiting agency that specializes in placing medical sales representatives around the country and locally. Brian is most proud of his Marriage of 25 years to his wife Jenny and their three children Abigail 23, Joshua 19 and Emma who went to be with the Lord on August 4th, 2015 after a long battle with Metastatic Osteosarcoma. Nothing can prepare a family for the Spiritual, Emotional, Mental & Financial devastation a cancer diagnosis of their child and especially and Orphan cancer where the treatment options have not advanced for 40 Years and there is very little investment in research.

Brian joined the board after seeing the success stories one after another at Orange Coast Medical Center of Hope and believes that all cancer patients should have access to these advanced methods of treating cancer.

MICHAEL L. HENRY CRLF BOARD MEMBER

Michael Henry is an experienced, well respected business leader at Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) where he currently serves as Project Manager of Distribution Project Management. Over the last 34 years with the organization, he has held several technical, managerial and leadership roles during his exemplary career. Mike currently manages a comprehensive portfolio of SoCalGas projects to include: Aerial Methane Mapping which focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Modernization Renovation Project, and the Mobile Home Park Utility Conversion Program which updates the safety and reliability of the energy distribution system in communities. Mike is positive, enthusiastic and has a contagious attitude that benefits all who interact with him. He has a strong business acumen, is focused, and is driven toward success, yet remains easily approachable and willing to assist others.

His passion for Cancer Life Research Foundation (CLRF) is generated by his love for others and the personal impacts he’s experienced from this disease. Mike’s maternal heritage includes over three generations of breast cancer diagnoses. Both his great grandmother and grandmother succumbed to the disease prior to age 45. In 2016, his mother was diagnosed with (and beat Stage 4) breast cancer for the second time. In 2018, the cancer returned and she and successfully won the battle for the third time. Mike’s sister simultaneously battled (and beat Stage 2 Triple Negative) breast cancer through conventional treatments alongside his mother in 2016. During that difficult period, Mike and his wife actively cared for and supported them throughout that journey. Furthermore, Mike’s lovely and courageous wife, Debby, was diagnosed with aggressive Stage 4 breast cancer in 2020 as well. Thankfully, she miraculously beat cancer by immediately undergoing Dr. Nezami’s innovative Modified Multi Molecular Targeted Epigenetic Therapy (MTET). Now, she and Mike continues to champion for this amazing treatment.

Mike’s intimate faith in the Creator of the Universe inspires him to pray for the healing of all humanity on every level. Joining the CRLF Board is making that desire a reality – by helping one cancer patient at a time. Mike is extremely honored and privileged to be on the Board of a foundation that is established on revolutionary science principles, compassion, a most of all LOVE.

JAMES W. TOWNSEND BOARD MEMBER

Jim graduated from California State University in 1970 with a degree in Mathematics and a minor in Business. He obtained his love for computers while working at Bank of America as a computer operator while going to school. He spent most of his career as a Senior Systems Analyst, first at Collins Radio, then at Control Data Corporation. In 1981, he and three co-workers formed The Protocol Team, later to become Newport Systems Solutions where they made routers for Wide Area Networks. He also served as Chief Financial Officer for those companies. They sold their company in 1994 to Cisco Systems.

After retiring, Jim helped with several startups, including Qwescom, ASI-Wireless, and Apptricity. He also obtained a Jurist Doctorate in 2001 from Trinity Law School and a Masters of Arts in Religion in 2006 from Faith Baptist College and Seminary. He has served on several foundation boards, including Orange County Rescue Mission, The Dream Center LA Foundation, and The Vanguard University Foundation.

Jim is active in his church where he has been a member for over 40 years and leads a weekly Bible study. He has three girls and four grandsons.

Education:
M.A.R.  Faith Baptist Theological Seminary, 5/2006
J.D. Trinity Law School, 5/2001
B.A. Math, CSULB, 6/1970

Awards:

National Merit Letter of Commendation (PSAT) – 1963
Full Tuition Scholarship, Pepperdine University – 1963
Honor Graduate – Nike/Hercules Officer Basic Course, Ft. Bliss, TX
U.S. Army, 1968

Entrepreneur:

1981 – Co-Founder and CFO, The Protocol Team, Inc., became Newport Systems
1988 – Co-Founder, Newport Systems Solutions, Inc. (Bought by CISCO 1994)
1995 – Co-Founder and Member of the Board, Activator Systems, Inc
1996 – Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer, For Kids Only, Inc.
1997 – Co-Founder, VillageEDOCS, Inc.
1998 – Co-Founder, Qwes.com, Inc., sold to Natural Micro Systems (1999)
2000 – Co-Founder, BrainX.com
Member of the Board, Vanguard University of Southern California Foundation Board
Member of the Board, Dream Center Foundation Board

Work Experience:

June/88-May/95: Newport Systems Solutions, Inc. (Bought by CISCO Systems, Inc.)

Co-founder; Chief Financial Officer (88-92); Senior Systems Analyst
Developed Wide Area Networking (WAN) routers for Novell Networks.

April/81-June/88: The Protocol Team, Inc. (became Newport Systems Solutions)

Co-founder and Chief Financial Officer. Senior Systems Analyst responsible for working on customer consulting contracts for data communications programs, including AT&T, AMDAHL Security Pacific Bank, and Doelz Networks.

July/74-April/81: Control Data Corporation (CDC)

Unit manager of special data communications projects.  Managed 13 programmers and developed terminal control programs for CDC’s front-end processors.

July/69-July/74:    Rockwell International – Collins Radio Group

Systems Analyst for store-n-forward message switching systems.  Developed real time operating systems code, optimized disk control program and terminal control programs.

Jan/64-Sept/67:     Bank of America – Data processing department – L.A.

Started as a check sorter operator and moved up to shift supervisor in charge of swing shift check sorter operations and assistant swing shift computer operator.

crlfoundationwpMeet The Team