Bertarelli Rare Cancer Initiative retreat unites researchers at HMS
Event featuresscientific sessions, interactive discussions, and poster presentations.
By Randy Fox
Deborah Msekela, left, a research fellow in systems biology at HMS, and Marie Sabatier, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, connect during the BRCI retreat poster session. Image: Channing Johnson
Dona Bertarelli, center, with George Demetri, director of the Bertarelli Rare Cancer Initiative (BRCI), and Marcia Haigis, co-director of the BRCI. Image: Channing Johnson
Harvard/MIT MD-PhD student Ayantu Temesgen discusses her research. Image: Channing Johnson
HMS professor of cell biology Steve Gygi describes his BRCI-funded project. Image: Channing Johnson
The poster session at the BRCI retreat showcased 33 projects that spanned key themes in rare cancer research and treatment. Image: Channing Johnson
On June 25, Harvard Medical School hosted the Bertarelli Rare Cancer Initiative (BRCI) retreat, drawing more than 100 faculty, trainees, staff scientists, and collaborators from HMS and its affiliated hospitals. The event at the Veritas Science Center (formerly known as the New Research Building, or NRB) featured four scientific sessions, interactive discussions, and poster presentations.
The BRCI unites investigators and clinicians across HMS to drive research, training, and advocacy for underserved rare cancers. Initially concentrating on rare cancers characterized by EWSR1 gene fusions—a genetic alteration found in these uncommon diseases—the initiative aims to uncover novel mechanisms and improve patient outcomes. The long-term goal of the BRCI is to establish a global network that links clinicians, scientists, policymakers, and advocates to advance expert care for patients through innovative research.
Philanthropist Dona Bertarelli, co-chair of the Bertarelli Foundation, played a pivotal role in establishing this research endeavor five years ago by directing a $15 million gift from the foundation to HMS. She said that, through her discussions with HMS Dean George Q. Daley, AB ’82, MD ’91, PhD, it became clear that there was a need and an opportunity to accelerate transformative research into rare cancers. The foundation acted quickly with its gift. "At the Bertarelli Foundation, we are able to take risks and to fund what we hope will be innovative research, in ways that private companies cannot,” she said at the time.
Bertarelli Rare Cancer Initiative
This initiative was established to further rare cancer research by leveraging the expertise of HMS and its network of affiliated hospitals and research institutions to foster global collaboration.
