Debbie's Dream Foundation and MSK Celebrate Dr. Posada as First Early Career Investigator in Cancer Research

Celebrating Progress in Cancer Research

In a significant step forward in the fight against gastroesophageal cancer, Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF) has joined forces with the prestigious Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center to announce a groundbreaking initiative. They have proudly selected Dr. Jessica Posada as the inaugural recipient of the Debbie's Dream Early Career Investigator in Gastroesophageal Cancer Translational Research Award. This award aims to foster the development of emerging physician-scientists who are dedicated to advancing translational research in this challenging field.

Dr. Posada's impressive qualifications make her a perfect fit for this role. She will commence her training at MSK this August, working under the mentorship of renowned expert Dr. Yelena Janjigian. The position she has accepted is not merely a title but an opportunity that signifies a commitment to escalating the pace of innovative research aimed at discovering new treatment options for gastroesophageal cancer patients.

The MSK Gastroesophageal Cancer Therapeutics Accelerator is a multifaceted program designed to bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical practices. Dr. Posada will collaborate closely with oncologists, pathologists, and translational scientists as part of this multidisciplinary initiative. One of the core focuses during her training will be to integrate tissue- and blood-based biomarkers with preclinical models, paving the way for breakthroughs in patient treatment strategies.

Dr. Posada's educational background lays a strong foundation for her new role. She completed a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Cell and Molecular Biology at San Francisco State University. Subsequently, she earned her medical degree from the University of Colorado Denver. After an Anatomic Pathology residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital — Harvard Medical School, Dr. Posada enhanced her expertise by completing a Surgical Pathology Fellowship at Rhode Island Hospital, which is affiliated with Brown University. Currently, she is a Postdoctoral Associate at Rockefeller University, working in the Laboratory of Systems Cancer Biology.

This award underlines not just the exceptional talent of Dr. Posada, but also represents a unified commitment from both MSK and the Debbie's Dream Foundation to galvanize early-stage researchers in the field. By equipping motivated scientists with the necessary resources and skills, the aim is to ignite a new wave of discoveries in gastroesophageal cancer therapeutics.

The Debbie's Dream Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of gastric cancer, increasing research funding, and supporting patients and families affected by this condition. Founded in 2009 by Debbie Zelman, who battled stage IV gastric cancer, the foundation continues to advocate for patients and promote vital research that could one day lead to a cure.

Debbie’s legacy echoes through initiatives like the Early Career Investigator Award, as DDF strives to fulfill her dream of significantly improving outcomes for stomach cancer patients worldwide. Guided by the expertise of its Scientific and Medical Advisory Board, comprised of elite doctors, DDF illustrates the importance of community backing and scientific collaboration in tackling rare diseases like gastric cancer.

For those interested in learning more about Debbie's Dream Foundation and its mission, visit www.debbiesdream.org. Together, with voices like Dr. Posada advocating for change, we can aspire for a world with effective treatments for gastroesophageal cancer.