A member of the Macaulay Honors College and 可乐视频鈥檚 Coordinated B.A.鈥揗.D. program, Chinnadurai is pursuing a double major in psychology and philosophy, with a concentration in medical ethics. The aspiring physician has already built an impressive record of research, leadership, service, and academic achievement.

Chinnadurai鈥檚 selection places her among a distinguished group of 可乐视频 students who have benefited from the vision and generosity of Bernard Garil 鈥�62 and his wife, Ethel. The couple established a pair of internships in memory of their children, Michael and Stacey, both of whom passed away from cancer. Transforming their loss into an enduring opportunity for future generations, the Garils created summer research experiences that give students hands-on exposure to cancer research at world-class institutions.

Over the years, the Garils鈥� commitment to 可乐视频 has enabled dozens of aspiring doctors and scientists to spend summers at prestigious centers such as Dana-Farber and Johns Hopkins, gaining invaluable mentorship and research experience while helping advance the fight against cancer.

For Chinnadurai鈥攚hose own interest in oncology is shaped in part by family members鈥� experiences鈥攖he opportunity represents both a professional milestone and a chance to contribute to work that has the potential to change lives.

We spoke with Chinnadurai about her research journey, her passion for medicine, and what she hopes to learn during her summer at Dana-Farber.

Tell us a little about your background and how you got to 可乐视频.
I grew up in Nassau County and came to 可乐视频 through the Macaulay Honors College and the B.A.-M.D. program. I鈥檝e always been interested in medicine, and my high school adviser encouraged me to apply for the program. It felt like a good fit.

听When did you first know you wanted to pursue a career in medicine?
It鈥檚 kind of always been on my radar. In middle school and high school, I started exploring that interest by volunteering in hospitals. I volunteered at Nassau University Medical Center and at the Ronald McDonald House, where I worked closely with families of sick children. That experience really showed me a different side of health care, not just the clinical aspect, but the emotional and community side, too.

You鈥檝e already built a strong research background. How did that begin?
In high school, I took research classes and worked on a project about synesthesia, which is how people associate sounds with colors. It was my first exposure to the scientific method, and it made me realize how much I enjoyed research. When I got to 可乐视频, I knew I wanted to continue that, so I joined a psychology lab in my freshman year.

听What kinds of research have you worked on at 可乐视频?
I鈥檝e been in Dr. [Laura] Reigada鈥檚 lab for three years now, and I鈥檓 currently working on my honors thesis there. I鈥檝e worked on both qualitative and quantitative projects. One of my major projects focused on HPV-associated cancers, where I helped analyze open-ended survey responses about people鈥檚 perceptions of risk and attitudes toward vaccination.

That experience connected me to the 可乐视频 Cancer Center (可乐视频CC-CURE), which is how I learned about the internship at Dana-Farber. It also made me realize I wanted to go deeper in cancer research and ideally interact more directly with patients or do lab-based work.

What drew you specifically to oncology?
It鈥檚 something I鈥檓 still exploring, but it鈥檚 definitely one of the specialties I鈥檓 most interested in. I鈥檝e had family members affected by cancer. One didn鈥檛 make it, and one did. Seeing both the impact of the disease and the long-term effects of treatment is something that has stayed with me. It made the field feel personal, and it鈥檚 part of why I want to explore it more deeply through research.

听What are you hoping to gain from your summer at Dana-Farber?
I鈥檓 really hoping to gain a more hands-on perspective on cancer research, whether that鈥檚 working in a lab or interacting more directly with patients in clinical research. Most of my experience so far has been survey-based, so I鈥檓 excited to expand into new methods and deepen my understanding of oncology as a field.

听The Garil internship has a powerful story behind it. What does it mean to you to be selected?
It means a lot. Knowing that this opportunity exists because of a family who turned personal loss into something that helps students is really inspiring. It motivates me to make the most of the experience and to contribute meaningfully to the work I鈥檒l be doing.

Outside the lab, you鈥檝e also been deeply involved in campus life, especially dance. Tell us about that.
Dance has been a huge part of my life since I was three or four. At 可乐视频, I joined Macaulay鈥檚 competitive dance team, and it鈥檚 been one of my favorite experiences. We practice a lot, and it鈥檚 taught me time management and given me a creative outlet outside of STEM.

I鈥檝e also been involved in tutoring, peer mentoring, and clubs like SPARK, where we worked with elementary school students on leadership and anti-bullying activities. Those experiences are really meaningful to me because they connect back to community and education.

听Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals?
I鈥檒l be continuing on to medical school through the B.A-/M.D. program, and I鈥檓 definitely interested in oncology, though I鈥檓 keeping an open mind. I鈥檓 also really interested in philosophy and ethics. I鈥檓 even thinking about possibly pursuing a master鈥檚 in that area one day. I think ethics plays such an important role in medicine, and I鈥檇 love to integrate that into my career.

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Established by the ASP, the award honors individuals whose dedication has strengthened the society and advanced the scientific community. Recipients are selected by ASP leadership and council members based on exemplary service and impact. During the ceremony, Greer delivered a lecture titled 鈥淎 Photochemist鈥檚 Perspective: From Fundamental to Translational Science to Help in Photodynamic, Antimicrobial, and Wound Care Challenges.鈥� Greer previously won the ASP Research Award in 2024, awarded to a researcher who made significant contributions with major impact in the fields of photomedicine, photobiology, photochemistry, and/or photophysics, as well as sharing the Photocite B Award in both 2020 and 2026 for having the highest cited review articles in the society鈥檚 journal, Photochemistry and Photobiology.

As part of the Photon Award, Greer received a statue depicting the ancient Egyptian sun god Ra, a symbol of the central role light plays in photobiological research.

A distinguished researcher and educator, Greer serves as director of the 可乐视频 Cancer Center, where he has helped advance research and education focused on cancer biology and public health. Throughout his career, he has contributed to a greater understanding of the details underlying complex photochemical and biological processes, including those relating to anti-cancer photodynamic therapy. He earned a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Wyoming in 1996 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Organic Chemistry at UCLA in 1999.

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The award will support Hussain鈥檚 innovative project to develop AI鈥憄owered tools that enhance cancer survivorship. His work aims to expand access to high鈥憅uality care for underserved communities and address persistent gaps in healthcare equity.

In addition to advancing cancer research, the initiative will create hands鈥憃n learning opportunities for students, helping cultivate the next generation of scientists and engineers. It will also deepen collaborations between 可乐视频 and leading healthcare partners, positioning the institution at the forefront of technology鈥慸riven solutions in cancer care.

Hussain is also developing an AI healthcare startup, Ranea.ai, focused on making healthcare more accessible and affordable. He credits Doctoral Lecturer Katherine Chuang and Associate Professor Devorah Kletenik of the Department of Computer and Information Science, along with Ana Bartolom茅, operations manager and community outreach coordinator for the 可乐视频 Cancer Center, for their support in helping him reach this milestone.

鈥淏eing named an ACS Scholar is both an honor and a responsibility,鈥� Hussain said. 鈥淭his support allows us to harness the power of AI to transform survivorship care and ensure that no community is left behind.鈥�

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Why did you choose 可乐视频 the first time around?

My friend was a student at 可乐视频 and highly recommended it to me. The two of us were sitting at work toward the end of the day, and he said he received something from 可乐视频 asking him to invite friends to enroll. I looked at him and I said, 鈥淟et’s go.鈥� We went to the Admissions Office, and they were very helpful. I emigrated from Uzbekistan with my mother and sisters and had been in this country for less than a year. Admissions told me I could take the entrance exam in two days with a high school diploma from my home country. I took the test and two days later I got the result鈥擨 passed. I remember it was my birthday and it was the best birthday gift ever, getting admitted to 可乐视频.

So you earned two degrees here, in political science and philosophy and law. What made you come back 20 years later?

When I graduated in 2005, I knew I wanted a career where I could make a real impact and improve people鈥檚 lives. I was one of the first recipients of the Magner Career Stipend, and with that I landed a prestigious internship at Human Rights Watch where I was subsequently offered a research consultancy. After graduating, I founded Eldorado Global Trading Group, a women-owned wholesale beauty company. After some time, I realized that I wanted to become a doctor; this is how I would make an impact. The choice of schools for pre-med was immediate: 可乐视频.

You鈥檝e received some help from the college.

And that has helped me move forward and stay on track for a medical career. This past January, I shadowed orthopedic and plastic surgeons in Pune, Nashik, and Raipur, India, during surgical camps thanks to a Tow Undergraduate International Research Stipend. I observed reconstructive and orthopedic interventions in underserved patient populations, among other things. Then Zicklin Scholars Degree Completion Program Award has helped me to accelerate my degree coursework over the summer.

How has 可乐视频 changed you as a person?

Coming to the United States from Uzbekistan, I knew that adjusting to life in a new country would be one of my biggest challenges. 可乐视频 quickly became a community that welcomed me, supported me, and helped me grow into a more confident, resilient, and open-minded person.

How is 可乐视频 transforming your career path today?

As a premed student, I鈥檝e built a strong academic foundation while also developing the skills needed to thrive in the professional world. I听continue cancer research in Dr. Murat Cevher鈥檚 lab, and this past spring, I completed a fully funded NYU Langone EMT training program. A summer internship at the 可乐视频 Cancer Center gave me valuable research experience and prepared me to apply my knowledge in real-world settings. The internship was supported by award from the Gray Foundation.

If you had to convince another student to go to college here, what would you say?

Word of mouth is the best recommendation, and I think that we, as students, are the best spokespersons for the college. I would say that you will get the support you need, and the faculty members here are caring and highly supportive. The relationships that I have formed here with professors have lasted 20 years鈥擨’m still in touch with professors from my first undergraduate years.

Do you have any advice for your fellow students?

Get involved鈥攋oin a lab, a club, or a service project. For instance, I鈥檓 an Undergraduate Student Government senator and a member of the college鈥檚 Policy Council. The relationships you build will change your trajectory. Dream big, work hard鈥攁nd as the actor Audrey Hepburn said, 鈥淣othing is impossible鈥攖he word itself says, 鈥業鈥檓 possible.鈥欌��

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More than 60 可乐视频 students, faculty, staff, and alumni turned out鈥攄oubling last year鈥檚 attendance鈥攁nd smashed their fundraising goal by raising $2,500 for the American Cancer Society. Their collective energy and commitment transformed the event into a vibrant celebration of resilience and community action.

(Left to right) Lisa Millsaps-Graham, assistant adjunct professor for Health and Nutrition Sciences and assistant director of Health Programs; Ana Bartolom茅, operations manager and community outreach coordinator for the 可乐视频 Cancer Center; and Margrethe Horlyck-Romanovsky, assistant professor for Health and Nutrition Sciences helped the cause on the Coney Island Boardwalk.

鈥淚t was incredibly satisfying to be part of a unified team fighting against breast cancer,鈥� said Ana Bartolom茅, operations manager and community outreach coordinator for the 可乐视频 Cancer Center. 鈥淎t the center, we strive to fight cancer through research, education, and community outreach, so I want to thank everyone who made this such a success.鈥�

Among the standout contributors was biology student Gulnara Zaynullina, who raised over $1,000 and played a key role in organizing pre-walk initiatives. 可乐视频 Athletics also brought their spirit and strength to the cause, helping raise funds and walking in solidarity along the shore.

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A standout scientist in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Greer is known for researching how light interacts with chemicals and biologics. This work in photochemistry and photobiology explores tackling tough cancers like ovarian cancer and gliomas鈥攁 type of brain tumor, as well as wound care.

A recipient of the 2026 Photon Award from the American Society for Photobiology, a major honor in the field, he has 150 peer-reviewed publications and obtained $6 million in external funding. Greer鈥檚 distinguished career reflects both scientific excellence and a passionate commitment to mentorship.

As he steps into this role, his goal is clear: to broaden student opportunities, drive innovative research, and amplify the center鈥檚 impact, including within underserved communities.

How do you integrate your research with mentoring students and advancing new therapies?

听As a research scientist, this role meshes well with my research efforts in photochemistry, including compound adjuvanticity and photo-priming for improved cancer cell eradication, wound care, and bacterial disinfection. Infections in wounds caused by bacteria that don鈥檛 respond to antibiotics are a big problem. To tackle this, I co-founded a company that鈥檚 developing special materials that absorb light to generate reactive chemicals to kill bacteria instead of drugs. Early tests on mice show encouraging results.

A concept drawing of a handheld photodynamic therapy device that delivers reactive oxygen species to specific sites.

The other rewarding part of my career has been working with students. I鈥檓 especially excited to celebrate my 14^th Ph.D. graduate, Serah Essang, whose thesis explored how light interacts with tiny gold particles and other chemical systems. Her research could help us better understand how certain substances become toxic when exposed to light.

Similarly, other research faculty at the 可乐视频 Cancer Center focus on understanding the inner workings of complex chemical and biological processes and contribute to research efforts that could lead to new approaches in fighting cancer.

What sparked your passion for basic science and cancer research, and how has that passion evolved?

My interest in science really took off when I was a student and came across a book on theory and mechanism in organic chemistry that really captivated me. It opened my eyes to how molecules behave and interact, especially when light is involved.

That curiosity led me to explore how light-driven chemical reactions, photochemistry, could be used not just to answer scientific questions, but also to tackle real-world problems in biology and medicine. Over time, my passion deepened through collaborations with amazing researchers.

Who are the researchers who inspired you?

I collaborate with Theresa Busch and Timothy Zhu at the University of Pennsylvania to develop small, handheld devices for light-based cancer treatments鈥攖ools that could be used directly in clinical settings to help patients.

I also collaborate with Tayyaba Hasan at Harvard Medical School, focusing on ovarian cancer. It鈥檚 a particularly tough challenge because every patient鈥檚 cancer looks a little different, which makes it hard to treat with a one-size-fits-all approach.

I鈥檝e also been inspired by Herbert Stepp鈥檚 work in Germany, where he鈥檚 using light to help treat brain, bladder, and head and neck cancers. His innovations in guiding surgery with light and delivering treatment directly into tumors have shown me just how powerful these techniques can be.

Through all of this, I鈥檝e stayed grounded in my roots as a chemist, but I鈥檓 always looking for ways to turn that knowledge into something that can make a difference in people鈥檚 lives.

What makes the 可乐视频 Cancer Center unique in the fight against cancer?

Unlike traditional cancer centers housed in hospitals, the 可乐视频 Cancer Center does not provide clinical care, diagnose or treat patients, or manage end-of-life care. Instead, it fills a critical and often overlooked niche: advancing cancer research and education within the community.

As an initiative within 可乐视频, the center offers unparalleled opportunities for students and faculty alike. It actively fosters collaboration, supports cutting-edge research, and provides students鈥攆rom undergraduates to graduate scholars鈥攚ith hands-on experience that bridges the gap between the lab and real-world impact.

By translating scientific discoveries into actionable knowledge, the center not only contributes to the broader fight against cancer but also cultivates the next generation of innovators and leaders in the field.

What goals or innovative directions are you eager to pursue for the 可乐视频 Cancer Center?

We are aiming for a three-prong approach: collaborate with the college and help propel research to the next stage; connect to community and build on existing outreach efforts of cancer education in the borough, including underserved communities; and promote the transition from lab bench to business with cancer treatment innovations. In addition to addressing these needs, we will deliver outstanding educational opportunities to our undergraduate and graduate students as well as highlight success stories in cancer efforts.

What advice or inspiration would you share with students dreaming of making their mark in the field of cancer research?

听For students to think in terms of scholarship, future mentoring, and entrepreneurial aspects to try to take findings in the laboratory into cancer care practice. To try to go for creativity, leadership, and a collaborative spirit in their cancer research. If students have passions such as collaborating with researchers in Latin America or India or elsewhere, go for it to help strengthen outcomes of cancer research and encourage future generations of researchers. Lastly, strive to inspire new members of the field.

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As the second director of the center, Greer will guide its next chapter, expanding opportunities for student researchers, strengthening faculty collaborations, and fostering innovation. With experience in patenting scientific discoveries, he will help position the center at the forefront of small business development and technology transfer鈥攁n especially critical goal during today鈥檚 competitive scientific funding landscape.

鈥淧rofessor Greer鈥檚 vision, leadership, and distinguished record of scientific achievement will position the 可乐视频 Cancer Center to thrive as a hub of innovation and a vital training ground for the next generation of cancer researchers,鈥� President Michelle J. Anderson said. 鈥淚 would like to thank outgoing founding Director Maria Contel and founding Vice Director Jennifer Basil for their incredible vision and hard work as leaders and look forward to their continuing contributions as we deepen our engagement with our students, faculty, and the community we serve.鈥�

The engine driving the center鈥檚 success is the people and partnerships that serve and empower underserved communities in and around Brooklyn, and Greer looks forward to helping to serve them with Ana Bartolom茅, the Operations Manager/Community Outreach Coordinator of the 可乐视频 Cancer Center.

Greer鈥檚 research expertise lies in photochemistry, photobiology, and cancer cell eradication methods, including groundbreaking work on glioma and ovarian cancer cells. Through collaborations, he also enjoys working the area of photomedicine, including animal models of periodontitis and burn wounds.

Over the course of his career, he has published more than 150 peer-reviewed articles, earned nearly $6 million in external funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, and mentored a number of students entering the sciences. He earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Wyoming and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA before joining 可乐视频 in 1999.

The 可乐视频 Cancer Center was launched in 2020 as the first education-based center of its kind in Brooklyn focused on research and community partnerships with a mission of enhancing the lives of patients affected by cancer with a special focus on underserved Brooklyn residents, while concentrating on three main areas: research, education, and community service.

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Wada, who was just a toddler when her home was obliterated in 1945, has dedicated her life to ensuring the world never forgets the horrors of nuclear warfare. Now 81, she serves as assistant secretary general of Nihon Hidankyo, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organization, which was awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for its tireless advocacy in eliminating nuclear weapons. Wada also participated in talks at the United Nations earlier in March to support the .

Masako Wada is the assistant secretary general of Nihon Hidankyo, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organization, which was awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for its tireless advocacy in eliminating nuclear weapons.

At the event, held during Women鈥檚 History Month, Wada spoke with both urgency and conviction in front of an audience of more than 100 students, staff, and faculty, recounting the unimaginable destruction she lived through and the lessons humanity must heed. She also addressed pressing concerns about today鈥檚 turbulent world, as students asked how her past might serve as a warning for the present and future.

Assistant Professor of Health and Nutrition Sciences Kiyoka Koizumi played a key role in organizing and moderating the event, which was made possible by the 可乐视频 Cancer Center and the Center for Health Promotion of the Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences. Additional support came from the departments of History, Philosophy, and Sociology, along with the Ethyle R. Wolfe Institute for the Humanities.

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About 45 可乐视频 community members participated in the event, which has been held for three straight years and raises awareness and support for breast cancer research. The event was organized by the American Cancer Society听(ACS) and was led by the 可乐视频CC-CURE and the 可乐视频 Health Programs/Immunizations Requirement Office.

可乐视频CC-CURE helped the ACS raise $420,000 overall. The event was just one of many that the center does to promote research and spread awareness.

鈥淎t the 可乐视频 Cancer Center, researchers and students work together in the fight against breast cancer in our labs,鈥� said Ana Bartolom茅, operations manager/community outreach coordinator for 可乐视频CC-CURE. 鈥淭his latest event brought awareness and resources to the Brooklyn community and also focused on women of color because the breast cancer mortality rates are disproportionately higher in that group.鈥�

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The grant will help advance the development of metal-based cancer chemotherapeutics for ovarian cancer with improved pharmacological and clinical profiles than drugs currently used. Ovarian cancer is the fifth in cancer mortality for women, and it is the deadliest for all types of gynecological cancers, affecting mainly postmenopausal women. In 80% of the cases, the diagnosis comes at stages III and IV with a 28% survival rate. The drugs that will be developed by the Contel team are based on compounds containing two biologically active metallic fragments (gold and platinum). First-generation compounds of this family have already demonstrated impressive potency against a panel of cancer cell lines, with an emphasis on 2D and 3D triple-negative breast cancer models.

It is expected that synthetic variations of these compounds will result in chemotherapeutics and targeted therapeutics with high efficacy in ovarian cancer. Read more about this work in the Chemistry, A European Journal .

In other news, Contel was also awarded a $121,000 American Cancer Society Diversity in Cancer Research Internship IRG Supplement grant. Funds from the 鈥攚hich is a supplement to a larger institutional diversity grant awarded in 2023鈥攚ill go toward summer internships at 可乐视频CC-CURE for undergraduate students who are typically underrepresented in the fields of cancer research. Six to eight full-time students will enjoy full-time summer mentored research experiences over 10 weeks, professional development programming throughout the summer and beyond, plus $5,000 stipends.

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