Global Voices, Bold Ideas: Inside The Mark Foundation’s 2025 Scientific Symposium

Science can often feel like a quiet pursuit—microscopes, data, long nights in the lab. But every once in a while, that quiet pursuit roars. That’s exactly what happened in New York City during The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research’s 2025 Scientific Symposium.

In a room filled with over 150 scientists from across 13 U.S. states and seven countries, the atmosphere was electric. This wasn’t just another scientific meeting—it was a celebration of ideas, breakthroughs, and the people working tirelessly to transform cancer care.

A Morning of Discovery: When Science Sparks Hope

The day began with a flurry of energy as some of today’s most exciting researchers took the stage. The Mark Foundation captured the moment in a post on X:

“We just wrapped up an exciting morning of science, with fantastic presentations from Sarah-Jane Dawson, Ryan Notti, Florian Markowetz, Margaret Shipp, Denes Hnisz and Kivanc Birsoy on topics ranging from chromosomal instability to metabolic regulation in cancer.”

For anyone in the room, it was clear: these weren’t just presentations—they were glimpses into the future. Every talk unraveled a new piece of the puzzle, from how cancer cells adapt and evade treatments to the metabolic quirks that allow tumors to grow.

Photo from The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research/X

The Power of Perspective: AI and Translation at the Forefront

When Dr. Regina Barzilay of MIT stepped up for the keynote, her message was simple, but bold—AI can change the way we treat cancer. From early detection to personalized medicine, she walked the audience through how artificial intelligence is already reshaping the landscape, and how much more it can do.

Later, a candid fireside chat between Dr. James Bradner (Amgen) and Dr. Ross Levine (Memorial Sloan Kettering) brought translational research into focus. It was a reminder that great science is only as powerful as its path to the patient. Their message: move fast, collaborate deeply, and never lose sight of impact.

Photo of Regina Barzilay from The Mark Foundation

Big News, Bold Commitments: Announcements That Matter

Amidst the inspiration, The Mark Foundation made announcements that signal their unshakable commitment to progress:

• The Mark Foundation Center for Lineage Plasticity was launched—a $10 million, five-year partnership between Columbia University and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, co-funded by the Torrey Coast Foundation. The center will explore how cancer cells change identity and become resistant to treatment, especially in hard-to-treat cancers like bladder and esophageal.

• Two new Endeavor Awards were announced—each providing $3 million in funding for bold, interdisciplinary cancer research:

  • One team in Israel is tackling cancer-associated cachexia, a devastating wasting syndrome affecting patients with advanced disease.

  • Another team at UCSF is developing cutting-edge CAR T-cell therapies for gastric cancer, with the support of the Torrey Coast Foundation.

These aren’t just grants—they’re votes of confidence in ideas that could save lives.

Fueling the Future: Why It All Matters

Since 2017, The Mark Foundation has committed over $250 million to cancer research worldwide. They don’t just support promising work—they seek out bold science, fund risk-takers, and bring the brightest minds together.

It’s a philosophy that’s already showing results. Many of their supported projects have evolved into companies, clinical trials, and—most importantly—real hope for patients.

More Than Science: A Movement Built on People

What made this symposium extraordinary wasn’t just the data or the funding. It was the people. The young postdocs filled with curiosity, the senior scientists eager to mentor, the hallway conversations that sparked new collaborations.

It was a reminder that behind every slide deck and research poster, there’s a human story—of someone trying to make life better for someone else.

Looking Ahead: The Work Continues

The Mark Foundation’s 2025 Scientific Symposium wasn’t just an event—it was a declaration. That bold science is worth fighting for. That collaboration isn’t optional—it’s essential. And that when you put the right people in the right room, incredible things can happen.

Because in the end, this isn’t just about cancer research. It’s about changing lives.

For more from The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, visit their page on OncoDaily.

By: Md Foorquan Hashmi, MD, Sr. Editor, OncoDaily: India Bueura