Margaret Foti has received the 2024 Beacon Award for Women Leaders in Oncology

On October 18, 2024, during the Global Summit and Award Ceremonies for Cancer Research and Entrepreneurship in Washington, Dr. Margaret Foti has received the Beacon Award for Women Leaders in Oncology

The Beacon Award for Women Leaders in Oncology was established in 2022 by the AIM-HI Accelerator Fund and is sponsored by the National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR). This prestigious award honors outstanding women leaders in health and life sciences who have made significant contributions to cancer treatment, detection, and diagnosis globally.

The award aims to recognize and promote the vital role of women in oncology and encourage further advancements in cancer research and treatment through their leadership.

2024 Beacon Award for Women Leaders in Oncology Selection Committee:

• Sujuan Ba, Ph.D., Co-Chair, CEO & Co-Founder, AIM-HI Accelerator Fund; President & CEO, National Foundation for Cancer Research
• Webster Cavenee, Ph.D., Co-Chair, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of California San Diego
• Bahija Jallal, Ph.D., CEO & Director of the Board, Immunocore
• Raju Kucherlapati, Ph.D., Paul C. Cabot Professor of Genetics & Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
• Patricia Obermaier, MBA, Chief Growth Officer, Global Health and Life Sciences, Microsoft
• Libia Scheller, Ph.D., MBA, Global Head Oncology-Cooperative Groups & Strategic Alliances, Bayer Health Care Pharmaceuticals
• Thea Tlsty, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Pathology and Director of the Center for Translational Research in the Molecular Genetics of Cancer,

About Margaret Foti

Margaret Foti, PhD, MD is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). Since taking on this leadership role, she has overseen remarkable growth, expanding AACR’s membership from around 3,000 to more than 58,000 members in 142 countries and territories. During her tenure, the organization’s portfolio of peer-reviewed scientific journals has increased from a single publication to ten, significantly enhancing its influence in the scientific community.

Dr. Foti’s career at AACR began in an editorial position with Cancer Research, where her dedication and expertise quickly propelled her into several key editorial and management roles. Her ascent to CEO is a testament to her commitment to advancing cancer research and supporting the scientific community.

She has launched nine major peer-reviewed journals, including Blood Cancer Discovery, Cancer Discovery, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, Cancer Immunology Research, Cancer Prevention Research, Cancer Research Communications, Clinical Cancer Research, Molecular Cancer Research, and Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. Additionally, she helped establish Cancer Today, a vital resource for cancer patients, survivors, and their families, as well as Leading Discoveries, which highlights the achievements of AACR members and philanthropic initiatives.

A proud graduate of Temple University, Dr. Foti is a prominent figure in scholarly publishing and cancer research. She has held leadership positions, including the presidency of three professional societies, and has served on the boards and committees of various nonprofit organizations. Her contributions extend to mentoring emerging scientists, particularly women and underrepresented minorities, helping to pave the way for the next generation of researchers.

Dr. Foti’s leadership has also positioned AACR as a distinguished Scientific Partner of Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C). In this role, she and her team have contributed valuable expertise in scientific peer review, project management, grants administration, communications, and science policy, significantly enhancing the impact of SU2C’s initiatives.

Dr. Foti’s contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards from organizations worldwide. Her accolades include honorary degrees in medicine and surgery from the University of Rome La Sapienza and the University of Catania, as well as an honorary degree in medicine from the University CEU of San Pablo in Madrid. In 2024, she received the Beacon Award for Women Leaders in Oncology and was honored as a Women of Influence by the Philadelphia Business Journal.

In 2023, she was recognized with the Outstanding Leadership Award from the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, and in 2021, she received both the Tara Withington Public Service Award from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer and the 23rd Annual Gallery of Success Award from the Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University.

Further acknowledging her impact, she was named one of the Women of Inspiration and Influence by the Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation in 2019. Dr. Foti has also received numerous other honors, including the 2018 Women for Oncology Award from the European Society for Medical Oncology, the 2016 PHL Life Sciences Ultimate Solution Award, the 2016 Ovarcome Excellence Award, and multiple awards from organizations like the Society of Surgical Oncology and the Oncology Nursing Society.

In 2007, the AACR established the Margaret Foti Award for Leadership and Extraordinary Achievements in Cancer Research, which is awarded annually in her name, celebrating individuals who have made significant contributions to the field. Dr. Foti’s visionary leadership continues to drive the AACR’s mission forward, as she remains steadfast in the pursuit of advancements that will prevent and cure all cancers.

Recently, Dr. Margaret Foti has been recognized as an Oncoinfluencer by OncoDaily, highlighting her significant contributions to cancer research and advocacy.

Margaret Foti:

“I was honored to receive the Beacon Award for Women Leaders in Oncology this afternoon from AIM-HI Accelerator Fund and NFCR. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and groundbreaking work of our AACR members and staff, as well as our partners in the cancer research community.

I was especially pleased to have Web Cavenee, Chair of the Scientific Advisor Board of NFCR, present me with this prestigious award. Web is an AACR Past President and AACR Fellows, and both the AACR and NFCR have benefited greatly from his leadership.

The past recipients of the Beacon Award are Monica Bertagnolli and former NCI deputy director Ann Barker. I am especially grateful for this recognition in light of the incredible accomplishments of these remarkable women.”

AIM-HI Accelerator Fund:

“Congratulations Dr. Margaret Foti! You are truly an inspiration in the cancer research ecosystem.”

Rick Buck:

“Congratulations to our⁩ Dr. Foti on receiving the Beacon Award for Women Leaders in Oncology this afternoon from AIM-HI Accelerator Fund and NFC this afternoon⁩.”

NFCR:

“To make rapid advances, we need to work together
We need to work together synergistically
Collaboration is key – Dr. Margaret Foti!”

The Past Recipients of the Beacon Award for Women Leaders in Oncology:

• Anna D. Barker, Ph.D., 2022 Awardee, Chief Strategy Officer, Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Complex Adaptive Systems, Arizona State University

• Monica M. Bertagnolli, M.D., 2023 Awardee, Director, National Institutes of Health and Past Director, National Cancer Institute.

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