The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance is dedicated to playing a catalytic role in accelerating cures for cancer by enabling the pursuit of the most innovative and advanced cancer research and by facilitating collaborations between science and business.
The Prize for young investigators provides early-stage funding opportunities to New York scientists with innovative ideas in cancer research. The program surrounding the Prize is a catalyst in bridging the gap between the academic scientific community and the business community.
KARUNA GANESH, MD, PHD
RICHARD HITE, PHD
NIKHIL JOSHI, PHD
PIRO LITO, MD, PHD
MICHAEL PACOLD, MD, PHD
MARIA SOLEDAD SOSA, PHD
SIYUAN (STEVEN) WANG, PHD
BUSINESS WIRE / THE PERSHING SQUARE FOUNDATION – The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance (PSSCRA) today announced the opening of applications for the 2023 Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research. The prize of $200,000 per year for three years is awarded annually to at least six New York City area-based scientists. The Prize empowers researchers to pursue novel, high-risk/high-reward cancer research at a stage when traditional funding is lacking.
“AI-powered biotech has enabled the deployment of the COVID vaccine in record time, inspiring a paradigm shift in human health. With much investigation into the molecular basis for cancer underway, in combination with innovations in DNA sequencing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and precision oncology, researchers are well-positioned to diagnose, treat, and cure cancer by considering a single patient as the entire trial,” said Pershing Square Foundation Trustee Neri Oxman. “Along with these promising new horizons in cancer technologies, we are excited to welcome a new generation of scientists eager to make an impact, one patient at a time, in record time.”
On Wednesday, June 8 the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance held its 2022 Prize Dinner at Bar65 at the Rainbow Room in New York, awarding its 2022 Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research to seven early-career pioneers in cancer research in the greater New York City area.
The evening began with cocktails on the terrace, followed by a seated dinner. To start the dinner, Olivia Tournay Flatto, PhD, President of The Pershing Square Foundation and Co-founder and Executive Director of the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance gave introductory remarks. The special guest speaker for the evening was Scientific Review Council Member Ali Brivanlou, PhD, Robert & Harriet Heilbrunn Professor at The Rockefeller University, who gave a fascinating presentation on his work with embryonic stem cells, the innovations in this space, and the ethical considerations, followed by a provocative and stimulating Q&A session. After the entrée, Scientific Review Council Member Dave Tuveson, MD, PhD, Roy J. Zuckerberg Professor of Cancer Research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, introduced the seven Pershing Square Sohn Prize winners with a special video and welcomed The Pershing Square Foundation Co-Trustees William Ackman and Neri Oxman to lead the award ceremony. Prize Advisory Board 2022 Chair Jim Rothman, PhD, Sterling Professor of Cell Biology and Professor of Chemistry at Yale School of Medicine, gave concluding remarks.
Bill Ackman, Co-Founder. The Pershing Square Foundation