Introducing our new Scientific Committee members

We are pleased to welcome four new members to the Cancer Grand Challenges Scientific Committee: Professor Fabrice André (Institut Gustave Roussy), Professor Miriam Merad (Mount Sinai School of Medicine), Professor Robert Schreiber (Washington University in St. Louis) and Professor David Tuveson (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory).

Chaired by Professor Charles Swanton, the Scientific Committee is a pivotal part of the Cancer Grand Challenges community, providing scientific leadership at each step of the funding process. The committee is made up of eminent scientists, both clinicians and discovery researchers, who each provides a different perspective on how to tackle cancer’s toughest challenges by bringing expertise from their respective fields, as well as the ability to think big, beyond their own areas of research. We recognise the commitment required from our committee members and would also like to take this opportunity to thank our esteemed colleagues who are stepping down from the committee for their invaluable input and support in helping steward the initiative thus far. 

Fabrice is currently Head of Research and Professor in the Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France. His research in the field of biomarkers and personalised therapies focuses on biomarker discovery, development of targeted agents and implementation of personalised medicine. His labs work spans basic sciences, bioinformatics, biotechnologies and clinical research. He is also leading phase I-III trials testing targeted agents in the field of breast cancer and large national trials testing implementation of high throughput technologies in the health care system.

Bob is currently the Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Distinguished Professor at the Washington University School of Medicine and the director of The Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs. Bob has been a pivotal figure in validating and advancing the theory of cancer immunosurveillance and immunoediting, the processes by which our immune systems monitor, control, and shape the development of cancer. His current work continues to characterise how various immune signalling pathways, as well as tumour mutations, influence anti-tumour immune responses.

Dave is a physician scientist with a longstanding interest in understanding and treating pancreatic cancer. He is currently the Director of the Cancer Center and the Roy J. Zuckerberg Professor of Cancer Research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Additionally, he is the Chief Scientist of the Lustgarten Foundation. Dave is known for developing the first mouse and organoid models of pancreatic cancer, and identifying subtypes of cancer associated fibroblasts. Since developing the first mouse model of pancreatic cancer in 2002, the Tuveson lab has made a series of discoveries that shed light on the molecular drivers of this disease, and provide promising therapeutic avenues for a malignancy that is notoriously challenging to treat.  

We look forward to seeing how Fabrice, Miriam, Bob and Dave will shape our next round of challenges with their unique perspectives.

Meet the  Cancer Grand Challenges Scientific Committee.