Yale Cancer Center Annual Awards

Impactful research, translational science, compassionate clinical care, and indispensable staff support were celebrated earlier this week at Yale Cancer Center’s Annual Awards, which recognized nearly a dozen faculty, staff and clinicians for work in 2024.

Noting recent challenges in healthcare, the evening's host Eric Winer, MD, said he'd remain his "optimistic self."

"In much the same way that we got through COVID, we will get through this. We will all do just fine," said Dr. Winer, director of the Yale Cancer Center and president and physician-in-chief of Smilow Cancer Hospital. "It some ways, it makes it ever sweeter..to celebrate people tonight. We are all thrilled to celebrate so many of you tonight."

The first award, for clinical cancer research, went to Michael Cecchini, MD and Jill Lacy, MD. As described by presenter Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, their work spanned many years and was the "essence of all we do...translating science into impactful therapy." He said "Perioperative Modified FOLFIRINOX for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial" published in JAMA Oncology was among many strong nominations.

The translational cancer research award, presented by Katerina Politi, PhD, went to Rong Fan, PhD, for work on improving persistence and effectiveness in CAR-T cells. "Single-cell CAR T atlas reveals type 2 function in 8-year leukaemia remission" was published in Nature.

The population science research award, presented by Melinda Irwin, PhD, went to Xiaomei Ma, PhD for "USPSTF Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendation and Uptake for Individuals Aged 45 to 49 Years" published in JAMA Open Network with six other Yale authors, finding an increase in colorectal screening among the privately insured, following a recommendation of a lower screening age, with larger improvements in screening seen in higher socioeconomic status and metropolitan areas. Also cited in the award was "Using a Bayesian analytic approach to identify county-level ecological factors associated with survival among individuals with early-onset colorectal cancer" published in PLOS ONE. It examined the association of county-level ecological factors with survival among individuals with early onset colorectal cancer.

The basic science research award was presented by Peter Glazer, MD, PhD, to Franziska Bleichert, PhD, for furthering understanding of the whole DNA replication process. "Multiple mechanisms for licensing human replication origins" was published in Nature.

Prior to the next award, Dr. Winer noted that patients "often come to hospitals because of the doctors, but they stay because of the nurses" and introduced presenters Vanna Dest, APRN and Toby Bressler, PhD, RN. The Ruth McCorkle Oncology Advanced Practice Provider Award is named for the creator of the Symptom Distress Scale, the first scale to measure patients’ degree of discomfort from a specific symptom, who spent two decades at the Yale School of Nursing and influenced hundreds. The APP award winner Ismaele 'Izzy' Jacques, APRN, PhD, was described as a compassionate nurse who sees her patients as more than one symptom or illness. "The APRN who has it all...we say she is one of the best," Ms. Bressler said.

The award for clinical excellence was presented by Benjamin Judson, MD, who described an awardee who "provides outstanding care" that is compassionate and evidence based, who is innovator who routinely goes beyond the standard of care, a collaborator in multi-disciplinary care, and a clinician who draws on "incredible depth in their specialty area" that is shared with colleagues. He said the letters nominating the awardee — Aarti Bhatia, MD, MPH — were "humbling and moving."

In introducing the winner of the award for teaching and mentorship excellence, presented David Stern, PhD, described Karin Finberg, MD, PhD: "She is a superb teacher, she is a superb lecturer, she is an exemplary educator." She is a core director of the Yale Cooperative Center of Excellence in Hematology; a course director for the Masters of Health Sciences Program; an associate director of the Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship Program; asssociate clinical director, Tumor Profiling Laboratory; and co-director of the Yale Summer Enrichment Research Experience , Yale Center for Clinical Investigation.

Faye Rogers, PhD presented the award for leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion to Qin Yan, PhD, founder of the Asian faculty association, which is open to Yale faculty members of all tracks and all ranks, regardless of ethnic background. She described his reach as "well beyond the Yale Cancer Center faculty and trainees."

In its second year, the service excellence award went to Sara Raboin, director of YCC clinical trial operations. She was described by presenters, Ian Krop, MD, PhD and Alyssa Gateman, as "always the first to step up, in addition to her day job" when help is needed. She "provides continuity" and has a "unique ability to lead from behind the scenes...allowing others to shine."

The evening ended on a high note with two standing ovations, the first when Dr. Winer announced that the lifetime achievement award was going to David Stern, PhD and then after his tribute to him. It began with a summation of his accomplishments in cancer research since he joined Yale in 1988 and included his work with cancer signaling pathways, particularly those involving receptor tyrosine kinases.

"His research has led to critical insights into the molecular mechanisms that drive cancer progression," paving the way to development of targeted therapies. Other highlights include the first antibodies that measured site-specific tyrosine phosphorylation; key studies of tyrosine kinases that regulate the cell cycle; and unraveling the complex network of ligands controlling the EGF receptor family of tyrosine kinases, Dr. Winer said.

Dr. Winer commended his commitment to mentorship, collaboration, and scientific excellence and noted that as a mentor "he has guided and inspired numerous trainees who have gone on to make impactful contributions in cancer research and clinical care, including mentoring our own Mike DiGiovanna."

Dr. Winer also mentioned that Dr. Stern also led the Cancer Signaling Networks program and its predecessor, Signal Transduction and currently oversees the shared resources for YCC and Yale Developmental funds. "His dedication to academic leadership, institutional growth, and cross-disciplinary collaboration has left an indelible mark on the Center and the broader cancer research community."

To applause, Dr. Stern accepted his award and quipped: "What can I say? It's all true."

After the laugher subsided, Dr. Stern noted that his journey at Yale, which has included five deans, 10 cancer center directors and multiple CCSG (Cancer Center Support Grant) applications, began with colleagues he still has today including Dan DiMaio, MD, PhD, a YCC deputy director.

"Its been wonderful to help build a cancer center together," Dr. Stern said, thanking and mentioning multiple collaborators. He closed by encouraging the dozens of researchers in attendance to "work locally and maintain an equilibrium" as they continue the fight for breakthrough science that changes cancer outcomes.