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Damon RunyonCancer ResearchFoundation2 0 1 7 A N N UA L R E P O R TDamon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation2017 ANNUAL REPORT
2017 ANNUAL REPO RTTo acceleratebreakthroughs, the DamonRunyon Cancer ResearchFoundation providestoday’s best young scientistswith funding to pursueinnovative cancer research.Our goal is to foster the talentcapable of revolutionizing theprevention, detection, andtreatment of all forms of cancer.Because Damon Runyon’s focus is onbreakthroughs against cancer, wespend a great deal of time seeking toidentify the essential characteristicsof breakthrough scientists.There is no doubt that they must beexceptionally brilliant. That’s obvious.They also need to have creative ideas andthe ability to see potential that othersfail to recognize. They need to questioneverything, challenge dogma and bewilling to go against the grain. All ofthese traits are crucial.In this annual report, we feature four ofour recent award recipients, each witha different motivation that drives theirresearch. All of the over 3,600 scientistswho we have funded over the past 71years have their own unique motivations.But they all have this in common:THEY ARE DRIVEN.BUT ABOVE ALL, BREAKTHROUGHSCIENTISTS MUST BE DRIVEN. THEYMUST HAVE AN INTENSE, RELENTLESSPASSION FOR THEIR RESEARCH—24/7.Scientific research is hard. Experimentsrun on their own clock and often fail.Even the experiments that succeedneed to be repeated and refined toconfirm the findings. Then it is on tothe next experiment. One must besingularly driven to pursue answersthat will change the world.L O R R A I N E W. E G A NPresident and Chief Executive OfficerDamon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation1
DAMON RUN YON C A N C ER R ESEA R C H FOUN DATI O N2017 ANNUAL REPO RTDriven toPay It ForwardAaron D. Viny, MD, MSMEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER NEW YORK, NEW YORKAfter overcoming his own cancer diagnosis in college, Aaron is huntingfor genetic mutations that trigger acute myeloid leukemia.“SOMETIMES FATE is suggestive, and“I owe a debt of thanks tomy doctors.my only hopeis that I can pay it forwardwith the opportunity thathas been given to me.”AARON D. VINY, MD, MS2genes in a complex called Cohesin, hewill determine if targeting these geneticdefects can stop the deadly progressionto blood cancer.Reflecting on the treatment hereceived as a cancer patient, Aaron feelsa strong obligation to use his scientificexpertise to help patients. “I owe a debtof thanks to my doctors in Clevelandand the scientists who came before me.My only hope is that I can pay it forwardwith the opportunity that has been givento me.”Science gave Aaron two gifts oflife. His daughter Lilah turned twoyears old this past summer, and sheis the “product of post-cancer fertilityassistance,” added Aaron.“Her journey into this world actuallystarted 14 years ago despite herjust turning two years old. It’s beenexciting to see her grow, and to knowthat my darkest day, the day I startedchemotherapy, is now forever linkedwith one of the brightest days of my life,the day my daughter was born.”Two great reasons to pay it forward.sometimes it’s a firm push. In my case itwas the latter,” reflects Aaron.“When I was a junior in college I wasdiagnosed with acute lymphoblasticleukemia, and I took a hiatus from collegeto be treated at the Cleveland Clinic.”This life experience led Aaron tochoose a career as an oncologist andcancer researcher. He is completing histraining as a Damon Runyon Fellow atMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centerin New York. HE IS DRIVEN TO FINDNEW WAYS TO CURE LEUKEMIA.“After an initial remission, the cancerreappeared in my spinal fluid. My brotherwas a perfect bone marrow match, andthe resulting bone marrow transplantprovided a new immune system thatwas able to identify, attack and kill theremaining leukemia cells. This past July, Icelebrated 14 years of being cancer-free.”Using the latest technologies, Aaron ishunting for genetic mutations that causeacute myeloid leukemia to occur. Oncehe identifies potential genetic defects,as he has done recently with mutated3
DAMON RUN YON C A N C ER R ESEA R C H FOUN DATI O N2017 ANNUAL REPO RTDriven to SaveHer PatientsChristine M. Lovly, MD, PhDVANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER NASHVILLE, TENNESSEEChristine aims to develop treatment strategies that minimize cancercells’ chances of developing resistance to effective drugs.FOR CHRISTINE, a Damon Runyon“If you are a cancer patient,you should have accessto the best therapies thatanybody can give.”CHRISTINE M. LOVLY, MD, PhD4research community and discovered thatother cancer patients with different typesof cancers also had this identical mutation.Christine teamed up with otherscientists to help build a newcomputational model of the effects of thismutation, grew her patient’s tumor in thelab so that it could be tested with differentdrugs, and identified an existing drug thatattacked these cells. After proving that shehad identified a new target for this drug,she was able to treat her patient with it,and his tumor shrank by more than 50%.While Christine’s efforts were ultimatelytoo late to save his life, she is determinedto make sure she applies this knowledgeto help other patients.As part of this commitment, Christinehelped launch the website My CancerGenome, which provides information aboutgenetic mutations identified in cancers andtreatment options to oncologists acrossthe globe. She says, “I don’t care if you livein New York City or Nashville or ruralAlaska. If you are a cancer patient, youshould have access to the best therapiesthat anybody can give—anywhere in thecountry and anywhere in the world.”Clinical Investigator at VanderbiltUniversity Medical Center in Nashville, herpatients and her research are inextricablylinked. Everything she does in the lab is forher patients. Not just future patients, butthe ones she sees right now.Christine is an expert in lung cancer andis focusing on why patients often relapseafter initially responding to treatment, adifficult obstacle in saving lives. “The goalof my research is to understand how wecan make the initial treatment with thedrug better and last longer, and if the tumorbecomes resistant to the drug, how do weactually overcome resistance? We want tomake sure we have a Plan A, Plan B, Plan C,and Plan D to stay ahead of the tumor so itnever has a chance to relapse.”THAT CHRISTINE IS DRIVEN TO SAVEHER PATIENTS is exemplified by a storyshe tells about a recent patient: a 33-yearold father of three diagnosed with advancedlung cancer. Genomic testing of histumor revealed a mutation that had neverbefore been identified in cancer patients.While he was being treated with standardchemotherapy, Christine reached out to the5
DAMON RUN YON C A N C ER R ESEA R C H FOUN DATI O N2017 ANNUAL REPO RTDriven to InnovateAdam de la Zerda, PhDSTANFORD UNIVERSITY STANFORD, CALIFORNIAAdam is developing sophisticated imaging technology that willaid in early detection and even removal of cancerous tissue.ADAM started out as a graduate student“With the Damon Runyonfunding.you can take quitea bit of risk—and in fact, it’seven expected of you.”ADAM DE LA ZERDA, PhD6different applications, from the earlydetection of cancer to helping surgeonsidentify and remove tumors whileleaving healthy tissue intact. We hopeto see this technology go into humanstudies in the near future.”Adam exemplifies Damon Runyon’sfocus on finding creative, out-of-thebox thinkers and encouraging them totake risks on new ideas. He receivedtwo Damon Runyon Awards, a DamonRunyon Fellowship and the Dale F. FreyAward for Breakthrough Scientists.“I knew I wanted to do something incancer but I don’t come from the worldof biology. Damon Runyon believes inthe individual rather than the particularwork they are proposing to do. It’s moreabout the individuals and believing intheir potential to do great things. Andthat right there had a huge, huge impacton me,” added Adam.“With the Damon Runyon fundingyou don’t have to play it safe, you cantake quite a bit of risk—and in fact, it’seven expected of you, and that’s great.Damon Runyon has made it possibleto do everything we’re doing in the labright now.”at Stanford University as an engineerpursuing a PhD in quantum physics.“I had no intention of going intobiology or medicine,” he admits. “But afew months after I arrived, a very goodfriend of mine passed away from braincancer. He was my age and suffered foralmost a year. When that happened,it changed all of my priorities. I wasready to quit the PhD program and goto medical school. I felt that being anengineer, there was no way I could everhelp someone with cancer.“But then I started talking to a bunchof people here and got to see first-handhow engineers and physicists like mecan be helpful in the fight against cancer.When I discovered that, I discovered anew passion, a new life commitment formyself. And I never looked back.” ADAMIS DRIVEN TO HARNESS TECHNOLOGYTO SAVE LIVES.Adam is now pushing the boundariesof imaging technology. “In my lab we’renow developing all sorts of medicalimaging tools with the intent of lookinginto the human body and trying toidentify features indicative of disease.We are using them in a whole host of7
DAMON RUN YON C A N C ER R ESEA R C H FOUN DATI O N2017 ANNUAL REPO RTDriven to TackleBig QuestionsElçin Ünal, PhDUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY BERKELEY, CALIFORNIAElçin is defining the link between aging and cancer.ELÇIN, a Damon Runyon-Rachleff“Damon Runyon fundinglets us plunge into new anduncharted territory.”ELÇIN ÜNAL, PhD8her ideas were novel and daring. She isgrateful that they gave her the freedomto pursue this work. “It’s hard to imaginewhat my career would be like withoutthe Damon Runyon funding. It would bemore safe and maybe less interesting,and certainly less risky,” says Elçin. “Atthis stage of my career as a new assistantprofessor, I’m starting my lab withfresh ideas and energy. To be able to getfunding from Damon Runyon now lets usplunge into new and uncharted territory.”She is also grateful that DamonRunyon supports research asking hardfundamental questions. “My researchis basic science—I don’t do a lot oftranslational research. I think the factthat Damon Runyon actually values thistype of research is quite fantastic becauseit recognizes that a lot of the interestingbiology comes from basic science. I likethat they are very balanced in terms ofwhat they fund and what they look forfrom the investigators. It’s a nice mix ofbasic and translational research funding,which I think is important for getting themost synergy leading to progress againstcancer and other diseases.”Innovator at the University of California,Berkeley, wants to understand whycancer is most common in olderindividuals.“The primary cause of most cancersis not cigarette smoking or a person’sdiet or occupation. Aging is the primaryor main carcinogen, but we really don’tknow how it happens.”Elçin studies a developmental processcalled gametogenesis, which resets theaging process, asking questions like:“The progeny (offspring) of a 20-yearold man and a 70-year-old man aresimilar. Why?” She also discoveredthat a certain transcription factor (aprotein that regulates genes) involvedin gametogenesis can make old yeastcells younger, removing damage andextending their lifespan, raising anotherinteresting question: “Can we use therejuvenation processes of gametogenesisto reverse aging in mammals?” ELÇIN ISDRIVEN TO SOLVE THIS PUZZLE.At the time that Elçin was selected fora Damon Runyon Innovation Award, theselection committee acknowledged that9
DAMON RUN YON C A N C ER R ESEA R C H FOUN DATI O N2017 ANNUAL REPO RTDamon Runyon Cancer Research FoundationBoard of DirectorsMr. Noah KnaufGeneral PartnerKleiner PerkinsSan Francisco, CaliforniaGabrielle Layton, PhDVICE CHAIRVICE CHAIRSCIENTIFIC PROGRAMSAUDIT AND SECRETARYProfessor of MedicineDana-Farber Cancer Instituteand Harvard Medical SchoolHoward Hughes MedicalInstitute InvestigatorBoston, MassachusettsOf CounselSchulte Roth & Zabel LLPNew York, New YorkWilliam G. Kaelin, Jr., MDVICE CHAIRCHAIRMr. Alan M. LeventhalChairman and ChiefExecutive OfficerBeacon Capital Partners, LLCBoston, MassachusettsINVESTMENTS AND TREASURERMr. Leon G. CoopermanChairman and ChiefExecutive OfficerOmega Advisors, Inc.New York, New YorkSanford W. Morhouse, Esq.VICE CHAIRBOARD DEVELOPMENTMr. Michael L. GordonChief Executive Officerand Chief Investment OfficerAngelo, Gordon & Co.New York, New YorkVICE CHAIRDEVELOPMENT AND MARKETINGMr. David M. BeirneGeneral Partner10X CapitalCoral Gables, FloridaSteven J. Burakoff, MDDean for Cancer InnovationThe Tisch Cancer InstituteLillian and Henry M. StrattonProfessor of Cancer MedicineIcahn School of Medicine atMount Sinai Medical CenterNew York, New YorkMr. Buck FrenchGeneral Partner10X CapitalSan Francisco, CaliforniaElaine V. Fuchs, PhDLegal CounselConvexity Capital Management LPBoston, MassachusettsHead, Laboratory of MammalianCell Biology and DevelopmentRebecca C. Lancefield ProfessorHoward Hughes MedicalInstitute InvestigatorThe Rockefeller UniversityNew York, New YorkMs. Robyn ColesRichard B. Gaynor, MDMs. Deborah J. ColemanPresidentTRATE Properties, LLCBoston, MassachusettsMr. Gary E. ErlbaumPresidentGreentree PropertiesArdmore, PennsylvaniaThomas J. Fahey, Jr., MDSenior Vice President EmeritusMemorial Sloan KetteringCancer CenterNew York, New YorkPresident of Researchand DevelopmentNeon TherapeuticsCambridge, MassachusettsTodd R. Golub, MDChief Scientific OfficerDirector, Cancer ProgramThe Broad Institute of Harvardand MITCharles A. Dana Investigator inHuman Cancer Genetics at theDana-Farber Cancer InstituteProfessor of Pediatrics atHarvard Medical School10Howard Hughes MedicalInstitute InvestigatorCambridge, MassachusettsMr. Scott GreensteinPresident and Chief Content OfficerSiriusXMNew York, New YorkMr. Steve HaydenVice Chairman and ChiefCreative Officer (Retired)Ogilvy & Mather WorldwideNew York, New YorkMr. Jay W. IrelandPresident and Chief Executive OfficerGE AfricaGeneral ElectricNairobi, KenyaMorana Jovan-Embiricos, PhDManaging PartnerF2 Capital Ventures, LLPLondon, United KingdomMr. Steven A. KandarianChairman, President andChief Executive OfficerMetLife, Inc.New York, New YorkPalo Alto, CaliforniaDavid M. Livingston, MDDeputy Director, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer CenterChief, Charles A. Dana Divisionof Human Cancer GeneticsEmil Frei Professor of Genetics andMedicine at Harvard Medical SchoolBoston, MassachusettsMr. David G. MarshallChairman andChief Executive OfficerAmerimar Realty CompanyPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaMr. John H. MyersDirectorAcademy SecuritiesNew York, New YorkRichard J. O’Reilly, MDChief, Pediatric Bone MarrowTransplant ServiceClaire L. Tow Chair in PediatricOncology ResearchMemorial Sloan KetteringCancer CenterNew York, New YorkMr. Andrew S. RachleffPresident and Chief Executive OfficerWealthfront Inc.Redwood City, CaliforniaMr. William M. Raveis, Jr.Founder, Chairman and ChiefExecutive OfficerWilliam Raveis Real Estate,Mortgage & InsuranceSouthport, ConnecticutMichael V. Seiden, MD, PhDSenior Vice President andChief Medical OfficerMcKesson Specialty HealthThe US Oncology NetworkThe Woodlands, TexasEMERITUSB OA R D M E M B E R SMrs. Connie LurieSidney Altman, PhDI. George Miller, Jr., MDSterling Professor of Molecular,Cellular and Developmental BiologyProfessor of ChemistryYale University, Departmentof ChemistryNew Haven, ConnecticutDavid Baltimore, PhDPresident EmeritusRobert Andrews MillikanProfessor of BiologyCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena, CaliforniaMr. Kenneth G. LangoneChairman and Chief Executive OfficerInvemed Associates LLCNew York, New YorkRonald Levy, MDProfessor of MedicineDivision of OncologyStanford University School of MedicineStanford, CaliforniaAtherton, CaliforniaJohn F. Enders Professor of PediatricsProfessor of Epidemiology andof Molecular Biophysicsand BiochemistrySection ChiefPediatric Infectious DiseasesYale School of Public HealthNew Haven, ConnecticutHenry C. Pitot, MD, PhDProfessor Emeritus ofOncology, Pathology andLaboratory MedicineMcArdle Laboratory forCancer ResearchUniversity of WisconsinMadison School of Medicineand Public HealthMadison, WisconsinMrs. Katharine F. PlumHobe Sound, Florida11Ms. Karen D. SeitzFounder and Managing DirectorFusion PartnersNew York, New YorkNancy Simonian, MDChief Executive OfficerSyros Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Cambridge, MassachusettsMs. Cynthia F. SulzbergerWellington, FloridaMr. Peter Van CampExecutive ChairmanEquinix, Inc.Redwood City, CaliforniaJames A. Wells, PhDChair, Department ofPharmaceutical ChemistryProfessor, Cellular andMolecular PharmacologyUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan Francisco, CaliforniaMs. Lorraine W. EganPresident and Chief Executive OfficerDamon Runyon CancerResearch FoundationSamuel C. Silverstein, MDJohn C. Dalton Professor ofPhysiology and Cellular BiophysicsProfessor of MedicineColumbia University Collegeof Physicians and SurgeonsNew York, New YorkCraig B. Thompson, MDPresident and Chief Executive OfficerMemorial Sloan KetteringCancer CenterNew York, New YorkMs. Virginia UeberrothChairmanThe Ueberroth Family FoundationCorona del Mar, CaliforniaMr. Bob WrightSenior AdvisorLee Equity Partners, LLCNew York, New YorkRobert C. Young, MDFormer ChancellorFox Chase Cancer CenterPresident, RCY MedicinePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
DAMON RUN YON C A N C ER R ESEA R C H FOUN DATI O N2017 ANNUAL REPO RTDamon Runyon Award ProgramsNew York Metro Area CommitteeSteven J. Burakoff, MDDean for Cancer InnovationThe Tisch Cancer InstituteLillian and Henry M. StrattonProfessor of Cancer MedicineIcahn School of Medicine atMount Sinai Medical CenterNew York, New YorkMs. Robyn ColesPresidentTRATE Properties, LLCBoston, MassachusettsMs. Erica EvansHead of Client EngagementHirtle, Callaghan & Co.West Conshohocken, PennsylvaniaThomas J. Fahey, Jr., MDSenior Vice President EmeritusMemorial Sloan KetteringCancer CenterNew York, New YorkElaine V. Fuchs, PhDHead, Laboratory of MammalianCell Biology and DevelopmentRebecca C. Lancefield ProfessorHoward Hughes MedicalInstitute InvestigatorThe Rockefeller UniversityNew York, New YorkMr. Michael L. GordonChief Executive Officer andChief Investment OfficerAngelo, Gordon & Co.New York, New YorkMr. Scott GreensteinPresident and Chief Content OfficerSiriusXMNew York, New YorkMr. Steve HaydenVice Chairman and ChiefCreative Officer (Retired)Ogilvy & Mather WorldwideNew York, New YorkMr. Steven A. KandarianChairman, President andChief Executive OfficerMetLife, Inc.New York, New YorkMr. Gerald M. MarshallCo-Chairman and ChiefExecutive OfficerAmerimar Enterprises, Inc.New York, New YorkMr. John H. MyersDirectorAcademy SecuritiesNew York, New YorkRichard J. O’Reilly, MDChief, Pediatric Bone MarrowTransplant ServiceClaire L. Tow Chair in PediatricOncology ResearchMemorial Sloan KetteringCancer CenterNew York, New YorkMr. William M. Raveis, Jr.Founder, Chairman and ChiefExecutive OfficerWilliam Raveis Real Estate,Mortgage & InsuranceSouthport, ConnecticutFounder and Managing DirectorFusion PartnersNew York, New YorkSanford W. Morhouse, Esq.Of CounselSchulte Roth & Zabel LLPNew York, New YorkMs. Carson EltoukhyGabrielle Layton, PhDMs. Judy SwansonMr. Buck FrenchMrs. Connie LurieMr. Peter Van CampGeneral Partner10X CapitalSan Francisco, CaliforniaMr. Noah KnaufGeneral PartnerKleiner PerkinsSan Francisco, CaliforniaMs. Brigette LauBoard PartnerSocial Capital PartnershipPalo Alto, CaliforniaPalo Alto, CaliforniaAtherton, CaliforniaMr. Andrew S. RachleffPresident and Chief Executive OfficerWealthfront Inc.Redwood City, CaliforniaGordon M. Ringold, PhDChief Executive OfficerQuadriga BiosciencesPalo Alto, CaliforniaMs. Karen D. SeitzDamon Runyon-RachleffInnovation AwardDamon Runyon ClinicalInvestigator AwardSupports the next generation of exceptionally creativethinkers with high-risk, high-reward ideas that havethe potential to significantly impact our understandingof and approaches to the prevention, diagnosis ortreatment of cancer.Supports early career physician-scientists conductingpatient-oriented research. The goal of this innovativeprogram is to increase the number of physicians capableof moving seamlessly between the laboratory and thepatient’s bedside in search of breakthrough treatments.TWO-YEAR AWARD: 300,000with possibility of extension up to an additional 300,000THREE-YEAR AWARD: 450,000plus up to 100,000 for medical school loan repayment;with possibility of extension up to an additional 300,000Damon RunyonFellowship AwardDamon Runyon-Sohn PediatricCancer Fellowship AwardSupports the training of the brightest postdoctoral scientistsas they embark upon their research careers. This fundingenables them to be mentored by established investigators inleading research laboratories across the country.Supports dedicated basic scientists and clinicians whoconduct research with the potential to significantlyimpact the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of one ormore pediatric cancers.FOUR-YEAR AWARD: 231,000FOUR-YEAR AWARD: 231,000Damon Runyon-Dale F. FreyAward for BreakthroughScientistsDamon Runyon PhysicianScientist Training AwardMs. Karen D. SeitzBay Area CommitteeAtherton, CaliforniaI N F Y 2 0 1 7, DA M O N R U N YO N AWA R D E D 1 7 M I L L I O N I N N E W G R A N T S T O6 3 E XC E P T I O N A L S C I E N T I S T S I N 9 S TAT E S .Hillsborough, CaliforniaExecutive ChairmanEquinix, Inc.Redwood City, CaliforniaJames A. Wells, PhDChair, Department ofPharmaceutical ChemistryProfessor, Cellular andMolecular PharmacologyUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan Francisco, CaliforniaSupports a select few Damon Runyon Fellows who havegreatly exceeded the Foundation’s highest expectations.This additional investment in these exceptionalindividuals catapults their research careers and theirimpact on cancer.TWO-YEAR AWARD: 100,000Supports and encourages outstanding recent medicalschool graduates to pursue cancer research careers byproviding them with the opportunity for a protectedresearch training experience under the mentorship of ahighly qualified and gifted mentor.FOUR-YEAR AWARD: 460,000plus up to 100,000 for medical school loan repaymentFounder and Managing DirectorFusion PartnersNew York, New York1213
DA M ON R UN YO N C A N C E R R E S E A R C H FO U N DATI O N“ In SiliconValley, we havewitnessedbrilliant youngminds withbold ideaschange theworld.Damon Runyonmakes thishappen forcancer research.It identifies topemerging talentand encouragestheir high-risk,high-rewardideas. Thepayoff has beengenerations ofgame-changers.”Damon Runyon-RachleffInnovation Award CommitteeCHAIRKenneth W. Kinzler, PhDProfessor of OncologyDirector, Ludwig Center for CancerGenetics and TherapeuticsJohns Hopkins UniversityKimmel Cancer CenterBaltimore, MarylandDafna Bar-Sagi, PhDSenior Vice PresidentVice Dean for ScienceChief Scientific OfficerNYU Langone Medical CenterNew York, New YorkMichael A. Caligiuri, MDDirector, ComprehensiveCancer CenterCEO, James Cancer Hospitaland Solove Research InstituteJL Marakas Nationwide InsuranceEnterprise Foundation Professorof Cancer ResearchProfessor, Departments of InternalMedicine and Molecular Virology,Immunology, and MedicalGeneticsThe Ohio State UniversityColumbus, OhioAbby F. Dernburg, PhDHoward Hughes MedicalInstitute InvestigatorProfessor of Cell andDevelopmental BiologyUniversity of California, BerkeleyLawrence Berkeley National LabBerkeley, CaliforniaTodd R. Golub, MDANDREW S.R AC H L E F FBoard MemberDamon Runyon CancerResearch FoundationChief Scientific OfficerDirector, Cancer ProgramThe Broad Institute of Harvardand MITCharles A. Dana Investigator inHuman Cancer Genetics at theDana-Farber Cancer InstituteProfessor of Pediatrics atHarvard Medical SchoolHoward Hughes MedicalInstitute InvestigatorCambridge, MassachusettsTarun M. Kapoor, PhDPels Family ProfessorHead, Laboratory of Chemistryand Cell BiologyThe Rockefeller UniversityNew York, New YorkDavid G. Kirsch, MD, PhDProfessor of Radiation OncologyProfessor of Pharmacologyand Cancer BiologyDuke University Medical CenterDurham, North CarolinaRichard L. Klemke, PhDProfessor, Department of PathologyUniversity of California, San DiegoMoores Cancer CenterLa Jolla, CaliforniaLewis L. Lanier, PhDAmerican Cancer SocietyResearch Professor and ChairDepartment of Microbiologyand ImmunologyJ. Michael Bishop, MD,Distinguished ProfessorUniversity of California,San FranciscoLeader, Cancer, Immunityand Microenvironment ProgramUCSF Helen Diller FamilyComprehensive Cancer CenterSan Francisco, CaliforniaJoshua T. Mendell, MD, PhDHoward Hughes MedicalInstitute InvestigatorProfessor, Department ofMolecular BiologyUniversity of TexasSouthwestern Medical CenterDallas, TexasFounding MemberRonald Levy, MDProfessor of MedicineDivision of OncologyStanford University Schoolof MedicineStanford, California142017 ANNUAL REPO RTDamon Runyon-RachleffInnovation AwardsCALIFORNIACONNECTICUTScott J. Dixon, PhDJason M. Crawford, PhD“Exploring the role of a toxicendogenous glycolytic metabolitein tumor suppression andchemotherapy action” at StanfordUniversity, StanfordRushika M. Perera, PhD*“Mechanisms of cellulartransformation at the signalorganelle level” at the University ofCalifornia, San FranciscoPeter J. Turnbaugh, PhDNadia’s Gift Foundation Innovator“The gut microbiome: anunexpected contributor to cancerdrug resistance” at the University ofCalifornia, San FranciscoRoberto Zoncu, PhD“Dissecting and disabling theglucose-mTORC1 signaling axis incancer growth” at the University ofCalifornia, BerkeleyWilliam Raveis CharitableFund Innovator“Elucidating the bacterialdeterminants of colorectal cancer”at Yale University, New HavenM A S SAC H U S E T TSMarcela V. Maus, MD, PhD*“Next-generation CAR T cells forEGFRvIII-positive glioblastoma”at the Massachusetts GeneralHospital, BostonBenjamin L. Martin, PhDand David Q. Matus, PhD*William Raveis CharitableFund Innovators“Cell cycle regulation of cellularbehaviors associated with cancermetastasis” at Stony BrookUniversity, Stony BrookOHIOChristin E. Burd, PhD“Exploiting mutational specificity totarget RAS-driven melanoma” at TheOhio State University, ColumbusWISCONSINN E W YO R KPiero D. Dalerba, MDIsland OutreachFoundation Innovator“Using single-cell genomics toresolve the molecular identity ofcancer stem cells and guide theirpharmacological eradication” atColumbia University, New YorkPhilip A. Romero, PhD“Digital circulating tumor celldetection using scalable molecularlogic” at the University of Wisconsin,Madison*Initial YearDamon Runyon-RachleffInnovation Award Stage 2 FundingCALIFORNIANicholas T. Ingolia, PhD“Cis-regulatory code for thetranslational control of geneexpression” at the University ofCalifornia, BerkeleyGuillem Pratx, PhD“Adding a new dimension to flowcytometry: radionuclide-activatedcell sorting” at Stanford UniversitySchool of Medicine, StanfordElçin Ünal, PhD“Reducing cancer susceptibility byattenuating cellular aging” at theUniversity of California, BerkeleyMARYLANDChristopher M. Jewell, PhD“Harnessing intra-lymph nodecontrolled release to study andenhance tumor immunity” at theUniversity of Maryland, College Park15WA S H I N G T O NBrian H. Shirts, MD, PhD“Participatory genetics for defininggenotype-phenotype associationsof rare cancer variants” at theUniversity of Washington, Seattle
DAMON RUN YON C A N C ER R ESEA R C H FOUN DATI O N2017 ANNUAL REPO RTDamon Runyon ClinicalInvestigator Award CommitteeCHAIRCharles L. Sawyers, MDChair, Human Oncology andPathogenesis ProgramThe Marie-Josée andHenry R. Kravis ChairHoward Hughes MedicalInstitute InvestigatorMemorial Sloan KetteringCancer CenterNew York, New YorkKarla V. Ballman, PhDChief of the Division of Biostatisticsand EpidemiologyDepartment of HealthcarePolicy and ResearchWeill Cornell MedicineNew York, New YorkDavid P. Carbone, MD, PhDBarbara J. Bonner Chair inLung Cancer ResearchProfessor, Division ofMedical OncologyDirector, Thoracic Oncology CenterComprehensive Cancer CenterThe Ohio State UniversityColumbus, OhioNancy E. Davidson, MDSenior Vice President, Directorand Full MemberClinical Research DivisionFred Hutchinson CancerResearch CenterHead, Department of MedicineDivision of Medical OncologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattle, WashingtonS. Gail Eckhardt, MDAssociate Dean of Cancer ProgramsDirector of the LIVESTRONGCancer InstituteProfessor, Department of MedicineDell Medical SchoolThe University of Texas at AustinAustin, TexasHoward A. Fine, MDDirector, Weill Cornell BrainTumor CenterAssociate Director ofTranslational ResearchMeyer Cancer CenterWeill Cornell MedicineNew York, New YorkAmato J. Giaccia, PhDJack, Lulu and Sam WillsonProfessor in Cancer BiologyDirector, Division of Radiationand Cancer BiologyDepartment of Radiation OncologyStanford University Schoolof MedicineStanford, CaliforniaCarl H. June, MDRichard W. Vague Professorin ImmunotherapyDepartment of Pathology andLaboratory MedicineDirector, Center for CellularImmunotherapiesDirector, TranslationalResearch ProgramAbramson Cancer CenterPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaAndrew L. Kung, MD, PhDChair and Professor, Departmentof PediatricsMemorial Sloan KetteringCancer CenterNew York, New YorkDrew M. Pardoll, MD, PhDDirector, CancerImmunology ProgramSidney Kimmel ComprehensiveCancer CenterAbeloff Professorship in OncologyJohns Hopkins University Schoolof MedicineBaltimore, Maryland16Damon Runyon ClinicalInvestigator AwardsDavid R. Piwnica-Worms, MD, PhDProfessor and Chair, Department ofCancer Systems ImagingDeputy Division Head, Research Affairs,Division of Diagnostic ImagingThe University of TexasMD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, TexasKornelia Polyak, MD, PhDProfessor of MedicineDepartment of Medical OncologyDana-Farber Cancer InstituteHarvard Medical SchoolBoston, MassachusettsStanley R. Riddell, MDFull Member, Fred HutchinsonCancer Research CenterClinical Research DivisionProgram in ImmunologyProfessor of Medicine a
DAMON RUNYON CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION 8 "Damon Runyon funding lets us plunge into new and uncharted territory." ELÇIN ÜNAL, PhD Driven to Tackle Big Questions ELÇIN, a Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovator at the University of California, Berkeley, wants to understand why cancer is most common in older individuals.
