Susan G. Komen Adds 16 Breast Cancer Research Leaders as Komen Scholars and Advisors

Susan G. Komen, the world’s largest nonprofit breast cancer organization, welcomes 16 new leaders in breast cancer research and advocacy to their Komen Scholars international advisory group. Komen Scholars help guide breast cancer research and scientific programs, education, and advocacy work, as well as public health efforts in the U.S. and abroad.

“The Komen Scholars are a brilliant group of cancer researchers who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our collective fight against this disease,” Dr. George Sledge, Komen chief scientific advisor, said in a press release. “Their expertise goes from the bench to the bedside, and many have already made important contributions to our understanding of the disease, and to its conquest through better diagnosis and treatment.”

Susan G. Komen is a global organization dedicated to battling breast cancer by funding research, education, treatment, and other programs. The organization was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, she would dedicate her life to fighting the disease that took Susan’s life.

The new members will join the current 44 Komen Scholars who have been with the organization since 2010. The Komen Scholars network provides expertise in a variety of disciplines besides leading and participating in the annual peer-review process that funds research programs.

Since 1982, the Susan G. Komen organization has invested nearly $889 million in research alone, and has provided provided $1.95 billion to treatment, education, screening, and support programs.

“Our newest Komen Scholars bring additional expertise to Komen’s research program and our peer-review process,” said Judith A. Salerno, M.D., M.S., Komen’s president and CEO. “Very importantly, they serve as experts and advocates for our network of more than 100 Komen Affiliates and in communities around the globe. They share our vision of a world where no one dies from breast cancer. We are delighted to welcome them to our Komen team.”

Komen Scholars are invited to join the program for their work and leadership within the breast cancer scientific, research, and advocacy communities. The new members are:

From the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Abenaa M. Brewster, M.D., MHS (Risk Reduction, Survivorship, Disparities);
From the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute, Jason S. Carroll, Ph.D. (Biology, Endocrine Resistance);
From the Columbia University Medical Center, Dawn L. Hershman, M.D., M.S. Center (Survivorship, Health Outcomes, Disparities);
From Princeton University, Yibin Kang, Ph.D. (Biology, Metastasis);
From the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Tari A. King, M.D. (Clinical Research, Treatment);
From the Mayo Clinic, Keith L. Knutson, Ph.D. (Biology, Immunotherapy);
From the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Mia A. Levy, M.D., Ph.D. (Big Data, Precision Medicine);
From the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Jennifer A. Ligibel, M.D. (Treatment, Lifestyle Interventions);
From the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Anna M. Napoles, Ph.D., MPH (Survivorship, Disparities);
From the Henry Ford Health System, Lisa A. Newman, M.D., MPH (Risk Reduction, Disparities, Global Health);
From the University of Pittsburgh, Steffi Oesterreich, Ph.D. (Biology, Endocrine Resistance);
From the University of North Carolina, Charles M. Perou, Ph.D. (Genomics, Precision Medicine);
From the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Kornelia Polyak, M.D., Ph.D. (Biology, Tumor Diversity, Risk, Prevention);
From Yale University, Lajos Pusztai, M.D., D. Phil. (Clinical Research, Treatment, Big Data);
From the Mayo Clinic, Deborah J. Rhodes, M.D. (Early Detection, Imaging, Breast Density);
From the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Alana L. Welm, Ph.D. (Biology, Metastasis).

“The Komen Scholars include the brightest, most creative, and most hardworking individuals in the field today. They are not only leaders in the field, but support Komen in its fight against all of breast cancer — every stage of the disease, and in every woman and man. We are pleased and proud to partner with them, and support their research efforts,” said Dr. Eric Winer, Komen chief scientific advisor.

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