Quantum Leap Logo with a gradient

Susan G. Komen® Recognizes Renowned Investigators as 2020 Recipients of Brinker Awards for Scientific Distinction

Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, recognized two widely respected and innovative breast cancer researchers this week, announcing that Donald McDonnell, Ph.D., and Laura Esserman, M.D., have been selected as this year’s recipients of the Brinker Awards – Komen’s highest scientific honor.

Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, recognized two widely respected and innovative breast cancer researchers this week, announcing that Donald McDonnell, Ph.D., and Laura Esserman, M.D., have been selected as this year’s recipients of the Brinker Awards – Komen’s highest scientific honor.

Established by Komen in 1992, the prestigious Brinker Awards for Scientific Distinction recognize advances in both our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of breast cancer (Basic Science) – and the clinical setting (Clinical Research), which are both essential to combating the disease.

Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction in Basic Science

This year’s Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction in Basic Science will be presented to Donald McDonnell, Ph.D., Glaxo-Wellcome Professor of Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Professor of Medicine, Co-Director, Women’s Cancer Program, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine.

Dr. McDonnell is being honored for his significant contributions to breast cancer research, which have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of estrogen receptor signaling in breast cancer. His research has resulted in critical insights into the structure, function and regulation of nuclear hormone receptors and is helping to lay the foundation for the development and clinical use of novel endocrine therapies to treat Estrogen Receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer.

“Dr. McDonnell’s innovative research has provided significant insights to the biology and pharmacology of the estrogen receptor and led to the development of new drugs for the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer. His leadership in the field and creative approach to translating laboratory-based discoveries to new cancer drugs will have a lasting impact on breast cancer research and care,” said Komen’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Jennifer Pietenpol, Ph.D., Executive Vice President for Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, the B.F. Byrd Jr. Professor of Molecular Oncology.

Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction in Clinical Research

This year’s Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction in Clinical Research will be presented to Laura Esserman, M.D., M.B.A., Director, Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center, Alfred A. de Lorimier Endowed Chair in General Surgery, Professor of Surgery and Radiology, University of California, San Francisco.

Dr. Esserman is being recognized for her seminal contributions in clinical research, which are paving the way towards more personalized approaches to breast cancer care. She has led innovative clinical trial programs, notably the I-SPY trials, which have become models to accelerate the development of safe, effective, personalized treatment, detection and prevention options and improve the delivery of clinical care for breast cancer patients.

“Dr. Laura Esserman is an internationally recognized breast cancer surgeon and researcher who has spent her career at the University of California-San Francisco. Her groundbreaking work in the I-SPY and I-SPY2 clinical trials have revolutionized our understanding of neoadjuvant clinical trials as biomarker and novel therapeutic testing venues and have led the way for the development of several clinically important agents,” said Komen’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Dr. George Sledge, Jr. M.D., Professor of Medicine, Stanford University.

The 2020 Brinker Award winners will deliver keynote lectures at the 43 rd Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, which will be held virtually on December 8-12, 2020.

Advancing breast cancer research has been a priority for Komen since opening its doors in 1982. To date, Komen has invested more than $1.1 billion in breast cancer research, making it the largest nonprofit funder of breast cancer research outside of the U.S. government.

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 ww5.komen.org/social.

About Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative

‍Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative is a 501c(3) charitable organization established in 2005 as a collaboration between medical researchers at University of California, San Francisco and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. Our mission is to integrate care and research, and to foster high-impact trials with embedded clinical processes and systems technology and improved data management, greater access to clinical trial matching, and greater benefit to patients, providers,  and researchers. Our goal is to improve and save lives. Quantum Leap provides operational, financial, and regulatory oversight to I-SPY. For more information, visit https://www.quantumleaphealth.org/.

‍

Original Post: businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200930005061/en/

For more information, email karyn.digiorgio@quantumleaphealth.org

Your financial support of any amount can
help make a huge leap in our efforts to
deliver personalized medicine for all.

Donate Here
© Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative. 2023-2024.

For Patients

For Investigators

Partnerships

About us

Trials
Resources
Contact Us

For Patients

For Investigators

Partnerships

About us

Studies
Collaborations
Publications
Contact Us
Donate
Investigators Portal

For Patients

For Investigators

Partnerships

About us

Partnerships
One Source
Donate

For Patients

For Investigators

Partnerships

About us

Our Approach
QLHC in the News
Working at QLHC
Contact Us
Donate

Tracey Heather

Advocate Liaison

As Patient Engagement Lead at Quantum Leap, I manage follow-up data projects for the I-SPY 2 Trial, develop strategies to strengthen patient engagement, and oversee the I-SPY Advocate group. After six successful years raising funds to support Quantum’s mission, I embraced this new role last summer, drawn by the opportunity to make a direct impact on the patients we serve. Each day brings new challenges and insights, and I especially enjoy supporting and collaborating with our inspiring I-SPY Advocates.

Outside of work, I am pursuing a Master of Public Administration with a focus on nonprofit management at SF State. I’m passionate about trail running, skiing, live music, camping, traveling, and collegiate gymnastics—my daughter competes at Oregon State. For the past 5 years, I have volunteered with SF CASA as a mentor to an incredible 18-year-old foster youth whose resilience continually reminds me of life’s true priorities.

Carolyn Clark Beedle

Carolyn Clark Beedle, a 2023 breast cancer survivor, joined the advocate program after successful completion of treatment with the UCSF Breast Oncology Program. Her experience working with a patient advocate during her TNBC treatment led to an understanding that empowering women to advocate for their own health and healthcare will contribute to improved health outcomes and broader access to care. Carolyn began advocating for cancer patients and their families during her treatment, now is a member of the Breast Science Advocacy Core (BSAC) with the UCSF Breast Oncology Program, and currently shares information and research with CFNP associates at La Clinica in the Bay Area to inform and empower their patient population.

Carolyn is continuing her on the ground training as an advocate reviewer with both Quantum Health and BSAC and is enrolled in the Patient Advocacy Training in Health Science course with Stanford Medicine. Her 30+ career in corporate marketing/communications, program development and non-profit leadership augmented by her breast cancer treatment experience serves Carolyn well in representing and communicating the patient voice and perspective.

She received her BA (History/English Lit) and MA (Public History/Research and Record Management) from the University of San Diego, is a proud fifth generation San Franciscan, and active board member with numerous non-profits that support social work and the arts.

Silver Alkhafaji

Silver Alkhafaji is a PhD candidate in the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics (PSPG) program at UCSF. She received her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Biology from UC Berkeley. Prior to UCSF, she worked in the Clinical Pharmacology Department at Genentech. Silver’s current research focuses on non-invasive liquid biopsies to predict response and side effects of immunotherapies and endocrine therapies in early-stage breast cancer participants in I-SPY 2.

Silver is interested in clinical outcomes research to advance precision medicine and improve cancer patients’ quality of life. She is passionate about health equity, inclusive research, patient advocacy, and women’s health.
Silver volunteers at the Patient and Family Cancer Support Center at UCSF where she assists in patient navigation and connecting patients and their families with resources that improve their healthcare experience while receiving cancer treatments and/or during survivorship. 

Through her DEI work in her PhD program, Silver raises awareness around issues related to social justice and community building through organizing community-centered events. Additionally, she is a member of the Life Sciences Career Advisory Council at Thrive Scholars, where she enjoys supporting college students of color from economically disadvantaged communities in providing the opportunities they need to thrive at top colleges and in high-trajectory careers. 

Silver is a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Alameda Branch where she focuses her efforts on increasing membership of community college women coming from exceptional backgrounds: student parents, low-income, and first-generation college students.

In her free time, she writes poetry and prose on emotional healing, radical acceptance, and patience. Writing has helped her process difficult situations and connect with people on a deeper level.

Jane Mortimer

Jane is a breast cancer survivor and advocate dedicated to positively impacting the lives of women affected by the disease. Diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2012, she participated in the I-SPY 2 trial at UCSF and has been cancer free for more than ten years.

Her advocacy journey began in 2003 at UCSF as a volunteer with the Patient and Family Cancer Support Center and Decision Support Services and she previously managed the Peer Support program at UCSF. Drawing on her experience in marketing and media strategy, she uses her skills to make a meaningful impact by supporting advocacy and research that improves outcomes for women living with breast cancer.

Jan Tomlinson

In March of 2023 , Jan was diagnosed with a large aggressive triple negative breast cancer and informed that her cancer was the” bad girl” of cancer and offered standard chemotherapy for 24 weeks. Devasted by the diagnosis Jan felt like she had a dire prognosis. After seeking several opinions, she opted to join a Clinical Trial program for her treatment. The trial consisted of significantly less chemotherapy, and monitored closely over a 12-week period, The data predicted a complete pathological response , and she then went immediately to surgery. Pathology reports supported that she had a successful outcome reaching PCR meaning the tumor was gone, and no residual cancer was found in the surrounding tissue or lymph nodes. Jan was thrilled when her surgeon advised her of the results. The experience made Jan want to give back and share information that she received when she was at a critical juncture in her diagnosis. She is so passionate about making sure that everyone knows that the standard of care is one treatment option.

As she says, “ clinical trials have to be on the table” Because she achieved PCR, she expects a great outcome. She wants to share her story and encourage other women to strongly consider and participate in clinical trials. Jan is a UCSF Patient Advocate, involved in several programs they lead. Jan also is a BLACC Cab Member. Jan recently was in Washington DC to participate on a panel on Clinical Trials for ISPY at the National Press Club. UCSF will be hosting the RISE Up For Breast Cancer event where Jan will share her experience with clinical trials.

Deborah Collyar

Deb is a connector who founded Patient Advocates in Research (PAIR) “where research meets reality,” bringing ideas and people together for medical advances that offer real results for diverse patients and families.

Her vast experience between the worlds of tech, communication, strategy, management, policy, and equity bridges gaps between patients, scientists, medical providers, payers, governments, and non-profits.

Deb infuses patient engagement into projects, gathers relevant patient input, and encompasses many diseases, programs and policies at grassroots, national and international levels through companies, academia, and governments.

Key patient insights are delivered throughout discovery, development, clinical trials, results reporting, data-sharing, standards, genomics, and into practice.

Her experience spans translational and clinical research, epidemiology, health outcomes, and health delivery research with academia, federal agencies, companies, and patient communities.