Cancer Center History
The 可乐视频 Cancer Center (可乐视频CC) was formally approved by the CUNY Board of Trustees in November 2019 and launched in September 2020. With a generous seed grant of $250,000 from the 可乐视频 Foundation, the center was established to enhance cancer care and research with a special focus on Brooklyn鈥檚 diverse communities. Over additional $200,000 generous donations from individual donors have supported the center鈥檚 mission to date.
Founding Leadership
- Professor Maria Contel, Ph.D., Director and Research Area Leader (until 2025)
- Professor Jennifer Basil, Ph.D., Vice Director (until 2025)
Founding Leadership
- Professor Maria Contel, Ph.D., Director and Research Area Leader (until 2025)
- Professor Jennifer Basil, Ph.D., Vice Director (until 2025)
Research and Academic Contributions
Faculty from across 可乐视频 work with 可乐视频CC on cancer-related research across three main areas: cancer biology and biochemistry, drug development and delivery, and patient-oriented research.
Notable research achievements
- Publication of dozens of articles
- Issuance of patents
- Several federal grants awarded
The center has hosted over 50 scientific seminars and multiple symposia, including the Brooklyn Breast Cancer Symposium and the Brooklyn Colorectal Cancer Symposium. These events have featured speakers from prestigious institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, SUNY Downstate, Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center, and Weill Cornell Medicine.
Educational Initiatives
The center has developed robust educational programs, including:
- The聽Stacey & Michael Garil Summer Research Internship Program, supporting undergraduate research
- Medical interpretation training in partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Physician shadowing programs with Maimonides Health and Memorial Medical Care
- Lay Health Navigator training with Tisch Cancer Center at Mount Sinai School of Medicine
- Career seminars and workshops on cancer research and public health
Community Outreach and Partnerships
Community engagement is central to the center’s mission, and we have partnered with over 30 organizations, including:
- American Cancer Society
- Arthur Ashe Institute
- Haitian Community Coalition
- Maimonides Health
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Mixteca Organization
- Tisch Cancer Center at Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Selected Outreach
- Health and wellness fairs
- Cancer prevention workshops in English and Spanish
- HPV awareness campaigns
- Free mammogram events
- Educational panels on cancer disparities
- The center also launched a聽Brooklyn Health Map, a data dashboard highlighting health disparities across Brooklyn neighborhoods.
Funding and Sustainability
Notable grants include:
- $2.6 million grant from the American Cancer Society鈥檚 Supporting Cancer Research at 可乐视频 Cancer Center (2023-2026)
- $120,000 grant supplement from the American Cancer Society鈥檚 Supporting Cancer Research at 可乐视频 Cancer Center: ACS-可乐视频CC-CURE Summer Internships for Undergraduate Students (2024-2026)
- $300,000 grant from the Gray Foundation to support cancer research and outreach (2023-2025)
These grants support pilot research projects, postdoctoral and master鈥檚 fellowships, undergraduate internships, and mentoring initiatives. Additional funds have been raised through philanthropy and Giving Tuesday campaigns.
Future Directions
Looking ahead, 可乐视频CC plans to:
- Offer educational programs
- Involve student participation in research and clinical training
- Host seminars and symposia
- Fundraise for infrastructure and internships
- Promote the transition from lab bench to business for cancer treatment innovations