The Landry Cancer Biology Consortium was created to realize the full potential of the Harvard-wide network of scientists for future contributions to cancer research. The Consortium was officially recognized by a unanimous vote of the Graduate Policy Committee of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in December 2014, and was subsequently approved by the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences (HILS) Faculty Committee in February 2015.
The consortium is now officially designated as a graduate consortium in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) and is placed under the HILS umbrella.
At Harvard, cancer research is conducted in more than a dozen places, including but not limited to:
Harvard University,
Harvard Medical School,
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center,
The Broad Institute,
Boston Children’s Hospital,
Brigham and Women’s Hospital,
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and
Massachusetts General Hospital
Drawing from these various institutions and a dozen different graduate programs, the Landry Cancer Biology Consortium is truly a consortium — bringing together students and faculty mentors at these institutions to elevate the community as a whole. The effect is not additive; it is exponential.
The Landry Cancer Biology Consortium continues to foster this network through two interconnected efforts:
The first consists of diverse programming that enriches the educational experience of students — courses that highlight the current forefront of cancer research not yet found in textbooks, symposia that bring together the brightest scientific minds, and mentoring events where students interact intimately with faculty, industry leaders, and professionals from other cancer-focused fields. These curricular and extracurricular activities not only teach students about cutting-edge research, but also help hone professional skills and make connections that will enable them to truly become leaders in the field. As a result, the Landry Cancer Biology Consortium creates a community that is both stimulating innovation and paving the way for future discoveries for years to come.
The second crucial effort of the Landry Cancer Biology Consortium is its investment in graduate student researchers through its annual Landry Cancer Biology Research Fellowship award program. Already, these Landry Cancer Biology Research Fellows have shown themselves to be leaders in the field. Their commitment to research has pushed the boundaries of what is known about cancer, and their work can be found in publications and conferences around the world. As leaders, these fellows are also sharing their knowledge — teaching, mentoring, and inspiring undergraduate students who will become cancer researchers themselves in the near future. Importantly, beyond supporting the development of these outstanding students during their graduate experience, the Landry fellowship has become a prestigious award that recruits top students and propels them into long-term careers dedicated to eradicating cancer.
This work is made possible by the generous support to Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences of the late C. Kevin Landry and his family, colleagues, and friends. This gift represents a transformative investment in some of the best and brightest young minds in cancer biology. Through the Landry Cancer Biology Consortium, Harvard is leveraging the strength of its scientific community to encourage new breakthroughs in cancer research and treatment.
You too can get involved and support our mission!