Dr. Anne Marie McCarthy, Ph.D., is focused on developing new ways to identify women who are at a high risk for aggressive breast cancer, especially individuals from historically marginalized populations.

Ann H. Partridge, M.D., MPH, and Jennifer Pietenpol, Ph.D., are making history at Susan G. Komen. For the first time, two women are serving simultaneously as the Chief Scientific Advisors, guiding Komen’s research strategy, investments and programs.

When Ashley Fernandez felt a lump and asked her doctor for an ultrasound, she was told that at 31 years old and with no family history of breast cancer, she was too young to have the disease. As a mother of a 3-year-old balancing her Air Force family’s busy life, Ashley tried to put the lump out of her mind. But a month later, it was still there.

For Geoffrey M. Wahl, Ph.D., a former Komen scholar, helping others who face serious diseases has been a passion ever since he battled an aggressive viral encephalitis as a child.

Norman Wolmark, M.D., FACS, FRCSC, is renowned for pioneering lumpectomy as the standard of care for invasive and non-invasive breast cancer. His groundbreaking work to eliminate the need for radical mastectomy has improved the quality of life for countless breast cancer patients worldwide.

Susan G. Komen® hosted the Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Collaborative Research Summit on October 13, 2022, in Durham, North Carolina.

Komen Scholar Dr. Yibin Kang’s work revolves around metastatic breast cancer, with his research focused on blocking a protein that allows breast cancers to spread to the bone. Learn why Dr. Kang is passionate about finding cures.

Komen is going one step further this year to raise $1 million to fund the first ever MBC Excellence in Research Award. 

Breast cancer researcher and Komen grantee Dr. Zachary Hartman is pioneering a groundbreaking clinical trial at Duke Cancer Center to test the effectiveness of a vaccine he hopes will improve outcomes for people living with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC), including his mother.

Komen-funded researcher Dr. Amelie Ramirez is seeking to improve long-term outcomes for Hispanic and Latina breast cancer survivors through a holistic program.

Komen-funded researcher Dr. Pedram Ravazi is leading a three-part study to identify microscopic breast cancer metastases in patients so it can be treated before it becomes deadly.

Dr. Elizabeth Mittendorf is a Komen grantee and is working to use the immune system to kill breast cancer and prevent its return.