Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) today announced the following awards and appointments:
Michel Sadelain, MD, PhD, renowned physician-scientist, Director of the Center for Cell Engineering and Stephen and Barbara Friedman Chair, was awarded the 2024 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. The prestigious prize recognized Dr. Sadelain and Carl June, MD of the University of Pennsylvania, for the development of chimeric antigen receptor T cell immunotherapy (CAR T cell therapy) whereby the patient’s T cells are modified to target and kill cancer cells. Dr. Sadelain is a pioneer and leader in the field of immunology, genetic engineering, and the development of CAR T cell therapy. A type of immunotherapy, CAR T cell therapy uses genetically engineered versions of a person’s own immune cells to find and fight cancer.
Michel Sadelain Named a 2023 Citation Laureate by Clarivate
Clarivate has honored Michel Sadelain as a 2023 Citation Laureate. This year’s Citation Laureates have made significant contributions across a diverse range of fields, including cancer treatment, human microbiomes, synthetic gene circuits, spintronics, designer molecular structures, sleep/wake cycles, wealth inequality, and urban economics. Honorees represent an elite group of physician-scientists whose research publications are highly cited and who have already exerted a profound and often transformative impact on their fields of research. Dr. Sadelain was recognized for his breakthrough research advancing chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for the treatment of cancer.
Hedvig Hricak, MD, PhD, received the 2023 Alexander Margulis Gold Medal at the 15th International Society for Strategic Studies in Radiology (IS3R) Biennial Symposium. The Gold Medal was awarded in acknowledgement of her exemplary leadership and outstanding achievements in radiology.
Robert Stanley, MD, PhD, fellow, was honored among a group of 21 physician-scientists Advancing Insights for Improved Human Health by the Doris Duke Foundation (DDF). The DDF strives to advance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases by strengthening and supporting clinical research. This year’s grantees join a network of accomplished physicians who have gone on to become leaders in academia, medicine, public health, and government. Dr. Stanley was awarded for his project titled “Synthetic Introns for Therapeutic Targeting of Myeloid Blood Cancer.”
Isaac Wakiro, fifth year PhD student in the laboratory of Michael Kharas, PhD and Jesus Romero-Pichardo, third year PhD student in the laboratory of Justin Perry, PhD, have been accepted into the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Gilliam Fellows program. The Gilliam Fellows Program invests in graduate trainees who are committed to advancing equity and inclusion in science and empowers them as future science leaders. The Fellowship also provides support for thesis advisers to enhance their mentorship skills and act as change-makers to develop more inclusive and healthy scientific training environments.
In addition, Romero-Pichardo was also awarded the Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation. The program helps to ensure quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States.
Riccardo Mezzadra, PhD, postdoctoral researcher, was awarded the K99/ROO Pathway to Independence Award by the National Institute of Health (NIH). The NIH Independence Award allows highly promising postdoctoral scientists to receive both mentored and independent research support from the same award.
Sandra Brennan, MBBCh, BAO, FRCR, Director of Radiology at MSK Westchester, was honored with the Female Innovator Award at this year’s Doctors of Distinction event, sponsored by Westfair Business Publication. Doctors of Distinction is designed for medical professionals to connect, exchange knowledge, and foster collaborations within the healthcare industry, bringing together doctors from various specialties, healthcare administrators, researchers, and other stakeholders in the medical field. Dr. Brennan was recognized for her efforts to help raise awareness of breast screening in the local community.
MSK Named Center of Excellence by Castle Connolly
Castle Connolly recognized 38 hospitals as Centers of Excellence, with MSK being one of five cancer hospitals included in this prestigious list. Castle Connolly’s Center of Excellence program highlights specific hospitals and group practices from their database, offering valuable information about their services and recognition. This initiative aims to provide patients and caregivers with essential insights when making decisions about their treatment decisions.
MSK Named One of the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2024 by Newsweek
Newsweek ranked MSK #2 on their 2024 World’s Best Specialized Hospitals list. Newsweek partnered with research firm Statista to rank the world’s best specialized hospitals. This year’s rankings featured 300 hospitals specializing in cardiology and oncology, pediatrics, cardiac surgery, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology, urology, obstetrics, and gynecology.
MSK Named One of the World’s Best Smart Hospitals by Newsweek
MSK was named one of the World’s Best Smart Hospitals by Newsweek. Newsweek and Statista collaborated to compile a list of 330 hospitals in smart technologies from 28 countries that stand out for their use of electronic functionalities, telemedicine digital imagine, artificial intelligence, and robotics.