Alicia Zhou as Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Research Institute: New era for CRI

Cancer Research Institute (CRI) Appoints Alicia Zhou, PhD, as Chief Executive Officer to Advance Next Generation of Cancer Immunotherapy Science and Innovation

The Cancer Research Institute (CRI) has announced the appointment of Alicia Zhou, Ph.D., as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective August 26, 2024. Dr. Zhou succeeds Jill O’Donnell-Tormey, Ph.D., who has served as CEO and Director of Scientific Affairs since 1993. This leadership transition marks a significant moment for CRI as it continues its mission to advance cancer immunotherapy and improve patient outcomes.

About Cancer Research Institute

The Cancer Research Institute (CRI), established in 1953, stands as the leading U.S. nonprofit organization committed exclusively to saving lives through the advancement of immunotherapies for all types of cancer. With a mission to fuel the discovery and development of powerful immunotherapies, CRI plays a pivotal role in transforming cancer treatment and improving patient outcomes.

CRI has invested over $517 million in research, supporting groundbreaking work conducted by immunologists and tumor immunologists at premier medical centers and universities worldwide. This funding has been instrumental in numerous scientific advances that showcase the potential of immunotherapy to revolutionize cancer care.

The institute is guided by a distinguished Scientific Advisory Council, which includes four Nobel laureates and 35 members of the National Academy of Sciences. This council ensures that CRI remains at the forefront of scientific innovation and research excellence.

About Alicia Zhou

Dr. Alicia Zhou, Ph.D., earned her B.S. in Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), followed by a Ph.D. in Biological and Biomedical Sciences from Harvard University. She completed her postdoctoral research in cancer biology at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Zhou’s extensive academic background equips her with the knowledge and expertise necessary to lead the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) in its mission to drive transformative advances in cancer research and treatment.

“Dr. Zhou’s appointment heralds the beginning of an exciting chapter for CRI – one that honors the institute’s legacy while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cancer treatment.” – CRI

Before joining CRI, Dr. Zhou was the Chief Science Officer at Color Health, where she led initiatives aimed at enhancing patient access to cancer prevention and screening, contributing to better health outcomes and population health.

Additionally, she played a crucial role as a Steering Committee member and Principal Investigator for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s All of Us Research Program, a landmark initiative designed to ensure equitable and accessible precision medicine for all Americans.

Dr. Zhou’s exceptional leadership and contributions have been recognized widely; in 2021, she was named one of San Francisco Business Times’ 40 Under 40 and was featured on Fierce Healthcare’s Most Influential Minority Executives List.

 “I’ve seen firsthand the pivotal role strong leadership plays in driving progress. I’m confident that under her direction, CRI will make great strides as we collectively work to expand the benefits of immunotherapy to more patients.” – Nobel laureate and CRI’s Scientific Advisory Council Director, Dr. James P. Allison

Alicia Zhou:

“I am thrilled to share that I have officially joined the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) as Chief Executive Officer. It’s an incredible honor to lead this globally renowned nonprofit at the forefront of cancer immunotherapy research.

CRI has been a trailblazer in harnessing the power of the immune system to fight cancer, and since 1953, we’ve invested over $500 million into groundbreaking research that is transforming cancer treatment. As we move into the future, my goal is to build on CRI’s strong foundation, further advancing our mission to make immunotherapy accessible to all patients and ultimately create a world immune to cancer.

With deep gratitude to my predecessor, Dr. Jill O’Donnell-Tormey, and the entire CRI community, I look forward to collaborating with our incredible team, dedicated scientists, generous donors, and courageous patients who inspire our work every day.

Together, we will continue driving transformative advancements in cancer treatment, and I am so excited for what lies ahead.

Here’s to a future of progress, innovation, and hope.”

CRI:

“The Cancer Research Institute is excited to announce a transformative moment in our history, with the naming of Alicia Zhou as our Chief Executive Officer, effective August 26, 2024!

Dr. Zhou’s appointment heralds a bold new era for CRI, seamlessly integrating our key position in the immunotherapy revolution with a visionary approach to the future. Under her leadership, CRI will not only uphold our legacy of pioneering lifesaving innovations but also spearhead breakthroughs in personalized medicine, advanced vaccines, cell therapies, and gene therapies — all grounded in data- driven science and innovation. Dr. Zhou will leverage CRI’s esteemed global network of leading researchers, clinicians, and data scientists to push the boundaries of innovation.

‘I’ve seen firsthand the pivotal role strong leadership plays in driving progress,’ expresses Nobel laureate and CRI Scientific Advisory Council Director, Dr. James P. Allison. ‘I’m confident that under her direction, CRI will make great strides as we collectively work to expand the benefits of immunotherapy to more patients.’

Join us in welcoming Dr. Zhou, and look ahead into this new chapter of leadership.”

Sendurai Mani:

“Congratulations to Dr. Alicia Zhou, who I had the pleasure of working with when she was an undergraduate at MIT. She is a brilliant scientist and a strong leader. The symbiotic relationship between this remarkable institution and such a fantastic leader will create a significant impact.”

More posts featuring Alicia Zhou and Cancer Research Institute on oncodaily.com