Women in Science

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Each year, Women’s History Month coincides with the beginning of Cycle for Survival, an exciting and inspiring fundraiser that supports rare cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). Since 2007, Cycle for Survival has grown from a single cycling studio to a global movement, raising over $320 million for research at MSK. To help kick off this season, Cycle for Survival’s founding partner, Equinox, celebrated three exceptional women at MSK in a social media campaign.

Neeman Mohibullah, PhD, Director of the Integrated Genomics Operation at MSK
 

Dr. Mohibullah’s lab is bringing the most leading-edge genomics techniques to MSK with support from Cycle for Survival.

How has your work been impacted by fundraising from Cycle for Survival?

My lab’s priority is to bring the most leading-edge genomics techniques to our institution. Funding from Cycle for Survival means we can adopt even more groundbreaking technologies.

Which women, in the medical field or elsewhere, have inspired you?

I was always inspired by Caroline Hershel. She was officially her brother’s “assistant,” yet under this cover she learned how to make telescopes, made significant astronomical discoveries, has a comet named after her, and was the first woman to have a recognized scientific position in Europe.

Diane Reidy-Lagunes, MD, Medical Oncologist
 

Dr. Reidy-Lagunes cares for people with gastrointestinal and endocrine cancers. She is creator and host of MSK’s Cancer Straight Talk from MSK podcast and an enthusiastic supporter of Cycle for Survival.

How has your work been impacted by fundraising from Cycle for Survival?

My first grant ever was from Cycle for Survival, and it was the seed money I needed to build on a neuroendocrine research program.

Which women, in the medical field or elsewhere, have inspired you?

The expression “Women who Curie” is an affectionate term used for women in oncology research, and I love it because it emphasizes the importance of women in science, a fact that often gets overlooked. And it is the rare “Woman who Curie” that decides not only to conduct transformative clinical care and research but to dedicate most of her career to mentoring. One of those exceptional leaders is Dr. Laura Liberman. Laura has served as a physician at MSK for 30 years and is the Director of the Office of Faculty Development. While the MSK physicians are caring for patients and their science, Laura takes care of us, supporting us in our growth, professionally and personally. Laura will be retiring soon but has left an indelible mark for which we are all grateful.

Andrea Cercek, MD, Medical Oncologist, Founder and Co-Director of the Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancers
 

Dr. Cercek is a physician-scientist who focuses on the development of new therapies to improve outcomes and reduce treatment-related toxicities. She and colleagues made history last year when 100% of participants in their clinical trial of an experimental immunotherapy for rectal cancer saw their cancer disappear.

How has your work been impacted by fundraising from Cycle for Survival?

Cycle of Survival has been a really important part of several aspects of my research. Very early in my career, I was able to use this funding to build our peritoneal program, from which we identified genetic changes that drive appendix cancer. The program is currently running one of the largest trials in appendix cancer.

Which women, in the medical field or elsewhere, have inspired you?

One of the women who inspires me is my sister. She has achieved a high position in film while being a young mom. She has an incredible work ethic and determination, and she does it all effortlessly and with so much style.

Make your move against rare cancers with Cycle for Survival.

Donate or sign up to ride at a location near you.