Basser Center for BRCA

06/17/2026

The future of cancer research depends on the next generation of scientists.

The Basser Center for BRCA Postdoctoral Fellowship Program was created to support promising early-career investigators as they pursue research aimed at improving the lives of individuals and families affected by BRCA-related cancers.

One Penn Medicine - Abramson Cancer Center researcher is Minh Than, MD, PhD, whose work in pancreatic cancer interception is helping advance a future where cancer may be identified and addressed earlier than ever before. As a fellowship recipient, Dr. Than has been able to develop his research, build collaborations, present his findings to the scientific community, and transition to a faculty position at Penn Medicine.

We are grateful for the generosity of Ilana Katz Sand, MD, and Michael Sand, whose support reflects a belief shared by many philanthropic partners: that investing in people can create impact far beyond a single project or discovery.

As biomedical research funding becomes increasingly competitive, fellowship programs play a critical role in helping talented investigators continue their scientific training and pursue innovative ideas. The next breakthrough starts with the next generation of researchers. Supporting them today helps shape the future of cancer prevention, interception, and care.

Read more: http://spr.ly/6186BDMPTq

06/16/2026

BRCA Impact Award recipient Alan D’Andrea, MD of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute accepts his award and donates it to Michelle Watkins, Co-Chair of the Fanconi Cancer Foundation, to honor her and the work of the foundation.

D’Andrea is internationally recognized for his BRCA research, and his work is leading to significant improvements in drug development and in clinical care
for BRCA-related cancers.

He is known for unraveling the Fanconi Anemia/BRCA pathway. His laboratory made the extraordinary discovery that proteins encoded by the Fanconi Anemia genes—which are associated with rare inherited bone marrow failure syndromes—act in a common pathway that intersects with BRCA1 and BRCA2. Biomarkers for this pathway have contributed significantly to the development of new anti-cancer drugs, such as PARP inhibitors.

06/09/2026

We asked, and top oncologists answered: What would you always do to take care of your own breast health?

06/04/2026

That moment when the research data hits 🤯😂

06/01/2026

05/31/2026

Kara Maxwell, MD, PHD, Basser’s Men & BRCA Program Director, shares an exciting update in hereditary prostate cancer research from the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology () Annual Meeting - the world’s largest meeting of oncology experts.

05/28/2026

We’re proud to recognize Carman Man-Chung Li, Assistant Professor in the Department of Cancer Biology at Penn Medicine and a 2026 Young Investigator Award recipient from the Basser Center's Young Leadership Council.

Dr. Li’s research investigates one of the most important yet least understood moments in cancer development: the earliest biological events immediately before and after cancer initiation. Her lab develops genetically engineered models that closely mirror BRCA1-related breast cancer to better understand the processes that drive tumor formation and identify opportunities for earlier cancer interception.

Dr. Li is also the recipient of the Pearl & Philip Basser Innovation Research Award, which honors early career investigators at the University of Pennsylvania conducting innovative BRCA-related research across basic, translational, and clinical science.

Her work reflects the kind of bold, forward-looking research that moves hereditary cancer prevention and care forward!

05/28/2026

05/21/2026

And the future of BRCA research looks ⭐️bright⭐️

Hundreds of the world’s brightest minds in BRCA research gathered at our annual Scientific Symposium to discuss modern ideas and the latest advances in the field.

05/20/2026

Class of 2026 🎓 Congratulations to Isabella Brown, who received her master’s degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania! Isabella was the 3rd recipient of the Basser Genetic Counseling scholarship, generously created by members of the Basser Center Advisory Board to support students pursuing a career in genetic counseling.

Wishing Isabella and all the graduates of the MGC Program the best of luck as they begin their new careers in genetic counseling!