CSHL’s Dr. Michael Wigler is “Fighting Cancer, One Cell At A Time”—and winning
Cold Spring Harbor, NY — On September 11, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) held the 11th annual Women’s Partnership for Science lecture and luncheon, a summer staple among New York’s female philanthropists who support biomedical research.
Michael Wigler, Ph.D. was the guest speaker, renowned geneticist, and CSHL professor, described the promise of his research, which he anticipates will enable clinicians to pinpoint the markers for cancer in human tissue at a stage far earlier than is feasible today.
“In a few years’ time, we will be able to walk in to a doctor’s office, they will draw a blood sample, and there will be a fairly routine and inexpensive test that will tell you if you have cancer, and if so, in which part of your body,” Dr. Wigler predicted. His lab’s research will help make it possible for clinicians to catch cancer at the earliest possible stage, before it has accumulated the many mutations that can make fighting it such an uphill battle.
“CSHL is a vital place for research on the different cancers that touch the lives of so many in our community,” said CSHL’s president, Bruce Stillman, Ph.D., who hosted the luncheon at Airslie, the president’s house on the Laboratory’s scenic campus. “We are proud to host an event that connects society and science, and grateful to the Partnership for having created a first-rate opportunity for scientists and citizens to come together.”
An annual event since 2002, the Partnership unites prominent women from New York society to support, promote and celebrate women pursuing careers in biomedical research at CSHL. Over the last 11 years, the Partnership has raised close to $800,000 to help support the Laboratory’s cutting-edge research into the genetic causes of cancer and neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as CSHL’s pioneering educational programs.
The event, which drew over 180 attendees from the New York metropolitan area, was co-chaired by Elizabeth Ainslie, Gabrielle Bacon, Meg Braff, Lisa Eastman, Simone Mailman, Cristina Mariani-May, Louise Parent, Hope Smith and Mary Snow. Kristina Perkin Davison was an honorary chair of the event.
Banfi Vintners, longstanding supporters of the Women’s Partnership for Science, generously donated the wines for the annual luncheon.
(l-r): Maureen Brennan, Isobel Coleman, CSHL President Bruce Stillman, Ph.D., Gabrielle Bacon, Arianna Boardman
Written by: Communications Department | publicaffairs@cshl.edu | 516-367-8455