New Grants Support Next-Generation Leaders on
Their Paths to Independent Research Careers
Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization,
today announced $10.05 million in research grants that aim to
improve patient lives through better treatments for metastatic
disease and advancements in precision medicine. The 32 grants will
further cutting-edge breast cancer research being done at 27
prestigious institutions worldwide and continue Komen’s
longstanding support of breast cancer researchers early in their
careers, as well as the world’s leaders in the field.
“Susan G. Komen’s work is not complete until we can save all
lives from breast cancer, and the research we’re funding today is
helping people with breast cancer to live longer with better
outcomes,” said Paula Schneider, president and CEO of Komen, and a
breast cancer survivor. “Komen’s grants will give promising
scientists who are in pivotal stages of their careers the support
they need to become the next generation of breast cancer leaders
and advance research to save more lives.”
Komen is providing its first Career Transition Award grants this
year to support and maintain talented breast cancer researchers by
helping senior postdoctoral fellows and clinical fellows working
under mentors to launch competitive, independent breast cancer
research careers. Komen is also continuing the ASPIRE grant, which
was introduced last year, to support research trainees from
historically marginalized communities in research to help build a
breast cancer research workforce that reflects the diverse
communities Komen serves.
“This critical investment underscores Komen’s commitment to
supporting cutting-edge research and innovative science that will
lead to new treatment options for breast cancer, including
metastatic breast cancer and other aggressive forms of the disease,
and advance personalized breast cancer care, all with the goal of
helping people live longer, better lives,” said Ann Partridge, MD,
MPH, Chief Scientific Advisor for Komen.
Dr. Partridge is the Eric P. Winer, M.D., Chair in Breast Cancer
Research, Vice Chair of the Department of Medical Oncology,
Director of the Adult Survivorship Program and Director of the
Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer at the Dana-Farber
Cancer Institute and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical
School.
Key Highlights of the $10.05 Million Investment:
- 71% Dedicated to Metastatic and Aggressive Breast Cancer
Research, addressing the most advanced form of breast cancer
that is responsible for more than 40,000 breast cancer deaths every
year. Metastatic breast cancer has no cure, and these grants focus
on understanding the underlying biology and developing new ways to
detect and treat metastatic and aggressive breast cancers to extend
and maintain quality of life.
- 65% Focused on Precision Medicine, also known as
personalized medicine, which aims to tailor treatments specifically
to individual patients and their unique tumors. Precision medicine
aims to give patients treatments they’re most likely to benefit
from, avoiding unnecessary treatment and improving outcomes.
With this year’s grants, Komen has now invested nearly $1.1
billion in critical, cutting-edge breast cancer research, making it
the largest nonprofit funder of breast cancer research outside of
the U.S. government.
"Supporting outstanding researchers is not just an investment,
it is a lifeline for the future,” said Jennifer A. Pietenpol,
Ph.D., Chief Scientific Advisor at Komen. “Komen's unwavering
commitment to funding the best and brightest breast cancer
researchers, especially in the crucial early stages of their
careers, will ensure we have an exceptional team for generations to
come."
Pietenpol is the Chief Scientific and Strategy Officer and
Executive Vice President for Research at Vanderbilt University
Medical Center and Ingram Professor of Cancer Research and
Professor of Biochemistry at the Vanderbilt School of Medicine.
Recipients of ASPIRE Grants: A Supplement
to Promote Inclusion for Research Excellence
Eran Andrechek (Principal Investigator), Jesus Garcia-Lerena
(Trainee), Michigan State University Paula Bos (Principal
Investigator), Ailen Garcia-Santillan (Trainee), Virginia
Commonwealth University Eida Castro (Principal Investigator),
Lianel Rosario (Trainee), Ponce Medical School Foundation, Inc.
Isaac Chan (Principal Investigator), Isabella Terrazas (Trainee),
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Suranganie
Dharmawardhane (Principal Investigator), Ailed Cruz-Collazo
(Trainee), University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus
Stephanie Fraley (Principal Investigator), Maya Rowell, (Trainee),
University of California, San Diego Aimilia Gastounioti (Principal
Investigator), Juanita Hernandez (Trainee), Washington University
in St. Louis Christy Hagan (Principal Investigator), Julio Tinoco
(Trainee), University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute,
Inc. Kevin Janes (Principal Investigator), Catalina Alvarez Yela
(Trainee), University of Virginia Anne Marie McCarthy (Principal
Investigator), Mattia Mah’Moud (Trainee), University of
Pennsylvania Heather Neuman (Principal Investigator), Faith
Dickerson (Trainee), University of Wisconsin-Madison Julie Palmer
(Principal Investigator), Etienne Holder (Trainee), Boston
University Weston Porter (Principal Investigator), Hannah Carter
(Trainee), Texas A&M AgriLife Research Jeffrey Rosen (Principal
Investigator), Alex Smith (Trainee), Baylor College of Medicine
Sohail Tavazoie (Principal Investigator), King Faisal Yambire
(Trainee), The Rockefeller University Hai Wang (Principal
Investigator), Cheyenne Ernst (Trainee), Roswell Park Alliance
Foundation Alana Welm (Principal Investigator), Zannel Blanchard
(Trainee), The University of Utah
Recipients of Career Transition
Awards
Moriah Bellissimo, Virginia Commonwealth University Kristen
Brantley, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Douglas B. Fox,
Massachusetts General Hospital Siting Gan, Memorial Sloan Kettering
Cancer Center Emanuela Marchese, Massachusetts General Hospital
Long Chi Nguyen, The University of Chicago Purab Pal, University of
Illinois at Chicago Nolan Priedigkeit, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Yifan Wang, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Jun
Nishida, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Recipients of Big Data For Breast
Cancer Grants
Xin Lu, University of Notre Dame Harikrishna Nakshatri, Indiana
University
Recipients of Leadership Grants
Lisa Coussens, Oregon Health & Science University Christina
Curtis, Stanford University Melissa Troester, The University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Visit Komen’s website to learn more about this year’s research
grants and recipients.
About Susan G. Komen®
Susan G. Komen® is the world’s leading nonprofit breast cancer
organization, working to save lives and end breast cancer forever.
Komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to
fighting this disease across all fronts and supporting millions of
people in the U.S. and in countries worldwide. We advocate for
patients, drive research breakthroughs, improve access to
high-quality care, offer direct patient support and empower people
with trustworthy information. Founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who
promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease
that claimed Suzy’s life, Komen remains committed to supporting
those affected by breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching
for tomorrow’s cures. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.
Connect with us on social at
www.komen.org/contact-us/follow-us/.
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Amanda DeBard Susan G. Komen (972) 701-2131
adebard@komen.org