Boston University receives $10.5M grant for breast cancer research
Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) has received an anonymous pledge of $10.5 million to create a Breast Cancer Research Center, including an assistant professorship and an international scholars training program.
The pledge, from a BUSM graduate, represents the largest individual gift received by the School of Medicine.
"The funds will be used to develop a new Breast Cancer Research Center on the medical campus, recruit new faculty members, train scientists from the developing world, and fund pilot grants to help us understand the molecular basis of this devastating disease in diverse populations and for translational research projects that we hope will rapidly develop into new therapies," said Gail Sonenshein, PhD, a professor of biochemistry and director of the Women's Health Interdisciplinary Research Center.
"This exceedingly generous commitment is an important investment in breast cancer research that will facilitate discovery and accelerate the development of diagnostics and treatment for this common life threatening disease," said Karen Antman, MD, provost of BU Medical Campus and dean of the School of Medicine. "The donor who is a two-time cancer survivor has experienced the significance of timely and quality care. She has also worked on several healthcare projects in developing countries and this project at BUSM is an excellent opportunity to serve those in need close to home, a need she recognized while training at Boston City Hospital."
The fulfillment of the pledge will also support the building of the new residence for medical students on the medical campus. The proposed nine-story building will house 208 first-year medical students and transform student life at the School of Medicine.
The pledge, from a BUSM graduate, represents the largest individual gift received by the School of Medicine.
"The funds will be used to develop a new Breast Cancer Research Center on the medical campus, recruit new faculty members, train scientists from the developing world, and fund pilot grants to help us understand the molecular basis of this devastating disease in diverse populations and for translational research projects that we hope will rapidly develop into new therapies," said Gail Sonenshein, PhD, a professor of biochemistry and director of the Women's Health Interdisciplinary Research Center.
"This exceedingly generous commitment is an important investment in breast cancer research that will facilitate discovery and accelerate the development of diagnostics and treatment for this common life threatening disease," said Karen Antman, MD, provost of BU Medical Campus and dean of the School of Medicine. "The donor who is a two-time cancer survivor has experienced the significance of timely and quality care. She has also worked on several healthcare projects in developing countries and this project at BUSM is an excellent opportunity to serve those in need close to home, a need she recognized while training at Boston City Hospital."
The fulfillment of the pledge will also support the building of the new residence for medical students on the medical campus. The proposed nine-story building will house 208 first-year medical students and transform student life at the School of Medicine.