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Reason Foundation Issues Commentary: Data Center Taxation Should Be Guided by Sound Policy, Not Short-Term Gains
LOS ANGELES, California, Aug. 15 -- The Reason Foundation issued the following commentary by Managing Director of Technology Policy Max Gulker:
* * *
Data center taxation should be guided by sound policy, not short-term gains
States should craft tax policy that is efficient, neutral in its treatment of different businesses, and built for long-term prosperity.
-
Public political pushback against data centers has state lawmakers rethinking tax breaks they passed with little controversy only a few years ago. Between 2008 and 2025, 38 states passed legislation offering tax exemptions and incentives ... Show Full Article LOS ANGELES, California, Aug. 15 -- The Reason Foundation issued the following commentary by Managing Director of Technology Policy Max Gulker: * * * Data center taxation should be guided by sound policy, not short-term gains States should craft tax policy that is efficient, neutral in its treatment of different businesses, and built for long-term prosperity. - Public political pushback against data centers has state lawmakers rethinking tax breaks they passed with little controversy only a few years ago. Between 2008 and 2025, 38 states passed legislation offering tax exemptions and incentivesto these centers in hopes of attracting more of what they saw as a new and booming type of business.
Now, amid a backlash over data centers that has reached near fever pitch in recent months, the mood in state capitols has undergone a sudden change. In the spring and summer of 2026 alone, lawmakers in at least eight states have introduced bills that would repeal data center tax exemptions, with several more pausing or reducing tax breaks that appeared safe only a couple of years ago.
During the initial legislative boom, proponents argued these tax exemptions would attract more data centers to their states. Amid increasingly stiff competition from dozens of other states passing similar packages, legislators sought to bring a larger share of data center construction within their borders. To assure residents of the benefits of increased data center activity, each state attached requirements to data centers receiving tax breaks, such as overall capital investment dollars in the project and new jobs created. But when it became clear in the last two years that the boom in question was, in reality, far larger than anyone expected, states began to rightfully question whether tax breaks were really necessary to reap the benefits.
When reconsidering the tax breaks they recently passed, states should not repeat the mistake of singling out data centers for short-term political benefits but instead look to sound long-term tax policy. Some of the exemptions offered by states to data centers are the same as those long provided to other types of businesses like manufacturers, and that experts have long argued should be extended to all firms. States should keep exemptions for data centers on the books when they are justified based on fair and efficient taxation, and repeal them when they are not.
Sales and property tax exemptions
While the state tax packages vary in their technical details, they are mostly similar in the type of exemptions they offer and the benchmarks they require in return. In 37 of 38 states, an exemption on sales tax for machinery and equipment (M&E) is the principal break offered, which covers chips, servers, cooling and electrical equipment, and networking gear. Some states extend this sales tax exemption to also cover utilities. (Montana, which does not have a sales tax, passed legislation with a property tax exemption.)
Property taxes fill the other category of exemptions found in some states' packages. Property tax incentives offered to data centers are both less frequent and more idiosyncratic than the sales tax exemptions at the core of almost every state bill. A few states, such as Iowa and Montana, passed statewide property tax abatements covering either land or previously purchased equipment. Others like Indiana and Mississippi passed legislation authorizing cities and counties to offer data centers special property tax breaks during their negotiations.
Virtually all of the data center tax breaks offered by states are conditional on the recipients meeting "economic development" benchmarks. While benchmarks vary from state to state, they most commonly take the form of requirements on capital investment and jobs. To qualify for sales tax breaks in Virginia, data centers must make $150 million in new capital investment and hire 50 workers at wages at least 150% of the local average (with these hurdles lowered in "distressed areas"). In Illinois, qualifying data centers must make $250 million in capital investment and create 20 jobs within 60 months. Other states such as Michigan add "green" building requirements to the list of necessary qualifications.
The economic case for M&E exemptions
While the combination of exemptions and incentives makes the tax treatment of data centers unlike any other business, the practice of single-stage sales taxes that exempt B2B transactions and apply once only at the point of final consumption is both time-tested and economically sound. In fact, the wave of legislation from 2008 to 2025 brought data centers more closely in line with how states tax traditional manufacturers. Forty states exempt factories from paying sales tax on M&E, with a smaller subset again extending the break to electricity. In this regard, states' treatment of data centers and manufacturers now tracks very closely.
Sales taxes are a critical part of how most state governments operate, accounting for approximately one-third of revenue in the 43 states that impose them. A well-designed sales tax applies only to the final stage of consumption. Most of what we buy in a modern economy goes through many steps in a supply chain. If businesses and manufacturers must pay the sales tax in full at each step in that chain, goods and services that pass through several steps will be taxed several times. This is called "tax pyramiding." Tax pyramiding penalizes manufacturers that produce goods that require many stages of production and can disadvantage smaller firms by incentivizing vertical integration. Capital investment is similarly penalized when sales tax falls on B2B transactions. Finally, repeated taxation at each stage of the value chain can obscure the essential signals that market prices send to buyers and sellers, a problem only compounded when goods or services move across the borders of states with different rules.
For these reasons, economists and tax experts widely agree that all businesses should receive M&E sales tax exemptions of this kind. Karl A. Frieden and Fredrick J. Nicely, authors of a 2024 study examining sales tax history, note that historically services and wholesale did not typically receive such robust exemptions, and observed that sound taxation principles like neutrality (treating all types of business as similarly as possible) and avoiding tax pyramiding were less prominent in more recent debates. They recommend all states with manufacturing exemptions on the books extend them to digital products as a matter of "good tax policy." Jared Walczack of the Tax Foundation found that eliminating the sales taxation of intermediate goods for all types of business, while raising rates on final consumption goods in a revenue-neutral manner, would increase capital accumulation and ultimately output in state economies by billions of dollars. Data center M&E sales tax exemptions represent progress toward the goal of a single-stage sales tax for all types of businesses.
Looking forward
Unfortunately, proponents of the data center tax bills focused on the flimsier prospect of short-term economic and political benefits rather than on sound longer-term tax policy. Lawmakers told their constituents they would out-compete other states for a larger piece of a construction boom destined to bring investment and jobs in the short-term. What happened next shows why targeting handpicked industries and firms for special treatment is misguided.
Predictions of a boom proved wildly underestimated. States did not need to out-compete each other because it turned out there would be enough projects to go around. This is an unavoidable problem when designing policy around handpicked businesses and predictions about cutting-edge new technology. Businesses and governments alike are bound to make false assumptions. But while businesses must face self-correcting market mechanisms, governments risk keeping policies in place long after these assumptions are proven wrong.
States are therefore better off crafting tax policy that is efficient, neutral in its treatment of different businesses, and built for long-term prosperity rather than short-term gains. To the extent that states gave data centers tax breaks that other businesses do not have and that lack justification, repeal them.
The 37 states that passed M&E sales tax exemptions should keep them in place. Were it politically feasible, states would best proceed by extending these exemptions to all businesses. But if such a proposal is too politically messy, it nevertheless makes sense to leave these specific exemptions in place for data centers. Repealing them would amount to placing short-term political gains ahead of sound tax policy.
* * *
Max Gulker, Ph.D., is managing director of technology policy at Reason Foundation.
* * *
Original text here: https://reason.org/commentary/data-center-taxation-should-be-guided-by-sound-policy-not-short-term-gains/
* * *
Data center taxation should be guided by sound policy, not short-term gains
States should craft tax policy that is efficient, neutral in its treatment of different businesses, and built for long-term prosperity.
-
Public political pushback against data centers has state lawmakers rethinking tax breaks they passed with little controversy only a few years ago. Between 2008 and 2025, 38 states passed legislation offering tax exemptions and incentives ... Show Full Article LOS ANGELES, California, Aug. 15 -- The Reason Foundation issued the following commentary by Managing Director of Technology Policy Max Gulker: * * * Data center taxation should be guided by sound policy, not short-term gains States should craft tax policy that is efficient, neutral in its treatment of different businesses, and built for long-term prosperity. - Public political pushback against data centers has state lawmakers rethinking tax breaks they passed with little controversy only a few years ago. Between 2008 and 2025, 38 states passed legislation offering tax exemptions and incentivesto these centers in hopes of attracting more of what they saw as a new and booming type of business.
Now, amid a backlash over data centers that has reached near fever pitch in recent months, the mood in state capitols has undergone a sudden change. In the spring and summer of 2026 alone, lawmakers in at least eight states have introduced bills that would repeal data center tax exemptions, with several more pausing or reducing tax breaks that appeared safe only a couple of years ago.
During the initial legislative boom, proponents argued these tax exemptions would attract more data centers to their states. Amid increasingly stiff competition from dozens of other states passing similar packages, legislators sought to bring a larger share of data center construction within their borders. To assure residents of the benefits of increased data center activity, each state attached requirements to data centers receiving tax breaks, such as overall capital investment dollars in the project and new jobs created. But when it became clear in the last two years that the boom in question was, in reality, far larger than anyone expected, states began to rightfully question whether tax breaks were really necessary to reap the benefits.
When reconsidering the tax breaks they recently passed, states should not repeat the mistake of singling out data centers for short-term political benefits but instead look to sound long-term tax policy. Some of the exemptions offered by states to data centers are the same as those long provided to other types of businesses like manufacturers, and that experts have long argued should be extended to all firms. States should keep exemptions for data centers on the books when they are justified based on fair and efficient taxation, and repeal them when they are not.
Sales and property tax exemptions
While the state tax packages vary in their technical details, they are mostly similar in the type of exemptions they offer and the benchmarks they require in return. In 37 of 38 states, an exemption on sales tax for machinery and equipment (M&E) is the principal break offered, which covers chips, servers, cooling and electrical equipment, and networking gear. Some states extend this sales tax exemption to also cover utilities. (Montana, which does not have a sales tax, passed legislation with a property tax exemption.)
Property taxes fill the other category of exemptions found in some states' packages. Property tax incentives offered to data centers are both less frequent and more idiosyncratic than the sales tax exemptions at the core of almost every state bill. A few states, such as Iowa and Montana, passed statewide property tax abatements covering either land or previously purchased equipment. Others like Indiana and Mississippi passed legislation authorizing cities and counties to offer data centers special property tax breaks during their negotiations.
Virtually all of the data center tax breaks offered by states are conditional on the recipients meeting "economic development" benchmarks. While benchmarks vary from state to state, they most commonly take the form of requirements on capital investment and jobs. To qualify for sales tax breaks in Virginia, data centers must make $150 million in new capital investment and hire 50 workers at wages at least 150% of the local average (with these hurdles lowered in "distressed areas"). In Illinois, qualifying data centers must make $250 million in capital investment and create 20 jobs within 60 months. Other states such as Michigan add "green" building requirements to the list of necessary qualifications.
The economic case for M&E exemptions
While the combination of exemptions and incentives makes the tax treatment of data centers unlike any other business, the practice of single-stage sales taxes that exempt B2B transactions and apply once only at the point of final consumption is both time-tested and economically sound. In fact, the wave of legislation from 2008 to 2025 brought data centers more closely in line with how states tax traditional manufacturers. Forty states exempt factories from paying sales tax on M&E, with a smaller subset again extending the break to electricity. In this regard, states' treatment of data centers and manufacturers now tracks very closely.
Sales taxes are a critical part of how most state governments operate, accounting for approximately one-third of revenue in the 43 states that impose them. A well-designed sales tax applies only to the final stage of consumption. Most of what we buy in a modern economy goes through many steps in a supply chain. If businesses and manufacturers must pay the sales tax in full at each step in that chain, goods and services that pass through several steps will be taxed several times. This is called "tax pyramiding." Tax pyramiding penalizes manufacturers that produce goods that require many stages of production and can disadvantage smaller firms by incentivizing vertical integration. Capital investment is similarly penalized when sales tax falls on B2B transactions. Finally, repeated taxation at each stage of the value chain can obscure the essential signals that market prices send to buyers and sellers, a problem only compounded when goods or services move across the borders of states with different rules.
For these reasons, economists and tax experts widely agree that all businesses should receive M&E sales tax exemptions of this kind. Karl A. Frieden and Fredrick J. Nicely, authors of a 2024 study examining sales tax history, note that historically services and wholesale did not typically receive such robust exemptions, and observed that sound taxation principles like neutrality (treating all types of business as similarly as possible) and avoiding tax pyramiding were less prominent in more recent debates. They recommend all states with manufacturing exemptions on the books extend them to digital products as a matter of "good tax policy." Jared Walczack of the Tax Foundation found that eliminating the sales taxation of intermediate goods for all types of business, while raising rates on final consumption goods in a revenue-neutral manner, would increase capital accumulation and ultimately output in state economies by billions of dollars. Data center M&E sales tax exemptions represent progress toward the goal of a single-stage sales tax for all types of businesses.
Looking forward
Unfortunately, proponents of the data center tax bills focused on the flimsier prospect of short-term economic and political benefits rather than on sound longer-term tax policy. Lawmakers told their constituents they would out-compete other states for a larger piece of a construction boom destined to bring investment and jobs in the short-term. What happened next shows why targeting handpicked industries and firms for special treatment is misguided.
Predictions of a boom proved wildly underestimated. States did not need to out-compete each other because it turned out there would be enough projects to go around. This is an unavoidable problem when designing policy around handpicked businesses and predictions about cutting-edge new technology. Businesses and governments alike are bound to make false assumptions. But while businesses must face self-correcting market mechanisms, governments risk keeping policies in place long after these assumptions are proven wrong.
States are therefore better off crafting tax policy that is efficient, neutral in its treatment of different businesses, and built for long-term prosperity rather than short-term gains. To the extent that states gave data centers tax breaks that other businesses do not have and that lack justification, repeal them.
The 37 states that passed M&E sales tax exemptions should keep them in place. Were it politically feasible, states would best proceed by extending these exemptions to all businesses. But if such a proposal is too politically messy, it nevertheless makes sense to leave these specific exemptions in place for data centers. Repealing them would amount to placing short-term political gains ahead of sound tax policy.
* * *
Max Gulker, Ph.D., is managing director of technology policy at Reason Foundation.
* * *
Original text here: https://reason.org/commentary/data-center-taxation-should-be-guided-by-sound-policy-not-short-term-gains/
Hispanic Access Foundation: Toolkit Equips Latino Communities to Understand, Advocate For, and Lead on Public Lands
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Hispanic Access Foundation issued the following news release:
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New Toolkit Equips Latino Communities to Understand, Advocate for, and Lead on Public Lands
Hispanic Access Foundation's newly released public lands toolkit gives Latino communities a clear, accessible guide to understanding the U.S. public lands system and participating more effectively in the decisions that shape these shared spaces. Navigating the system can be challenging, with multiple agencies, complex legislation, and regulatory processes that often create barriers to meaningful public participation.
The ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Hispanic Access Foundation issued the following news release: * * * New Toolkit Equips Latino Communities to Understand, Advocate for, and Lead on Public Lands Hispanic Access Foundation's newly released public lands toolkit gives Latino communities a clear, accessible guide to understanding the U.S. public lands system and participating more effectively in the decisions that shape these shared spaces. Navigating the system can be challenging, with multiple agencies, complex legislation, and regulatory processes that often create barriers to meaningful public participation. Thetoolkit breaks down how public lands are managed, the legislation and policy structures that shape them, and the paths communities can take to influence decisions, including funding tools like the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has helped bring parks to underserved neighborhoods. It also walks through real examples of community-led campaigns and offers guidance for organizations and individuals pursuing new land designations.
"Latinos are uniquely positioned to create positive, lasting change for all," said Juan Rosas, Hispanic Access Foundation Public Lands Program Manager. "This toolkit gives them the knowledge and tools necessary to successfully engage in meaningful civic action, policy decisions, and ensure that these treasured landscapes are protected for future generations."
Structured around clear thematic sections, the toolkit traces the history of public lands, unpacks current threats and opportunities, and lays out concrete pathways for engagement--from shaping public policy and mobilizing Latino communities to strengthening cultural connections to these spaces. It also doubles as a planning resource, helping organizations map out campaigns, set policy priorities, and build more inclusive advocacy efforts.
"Public lands belong to all of us, and the decisions shaping their future should reflect the voices, experiences, and priorities of the communities who cherish them," said Maite Arce, President and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. "We have the power to advance significant, transcendental legislation that protects our public lands and ensures lasting access to them for generations to come."
The toolkit also unpacks the major environmental laws that govern how public lands are managed, giving readers a clear picture of which agencies hold decision-making power and how communities can plug into that process. By translating dense legal and regulatory frameworks into plain-language guidance, it lowers the barrier for Latino communities and organizations to engage in public lands stewardship.
Download the toolkit at https://bit.ly/PublicLandsToolkit.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.hispanicaccess.org/news-releases/3132-new-toolkit-equips-latino-communities-to-understand-advocate-for-and-lead-on-public-lands
* * *
New Toolkit Equips Latino Communities to Understand, Advocate for, and Lead on Public Lands
Hispanic Access Foundation's newly released public lands toolkit gives Latino communities a clear, accessible guide to understanding the U.S. public lands system and participating more effectively in the decisions that shape these shared spaces. Navigating the system can be challenging, with multiple agencies, complex legislation, and regulatory processes that often create barriers to meaningful public participation.
The ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Hispanic Access Foundation issued the following news release: * * * New Toolkit Equips Latino Communities to Understand, Advocate for, and Lead on Public Lands Hispanic Access Foundation's newly released public lands toolkit gives Latino communities a clear, accessible guide to understanding the U.S. public lands system and participating more effectively in the decisions that shape these shared spaces. Navigating the system can be challenging, with multiple agencies, complex legislation, and regulatory processes that often create barriers to meaningful public participation. Thetoolkit breaks down how public lands are managed, the legislation and policy structures that shape them, and the paths communities can take to influence decisions, including funding tools like the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has helped bring parks to underserved neighborhoods. It also walks through real examples of community-led campaigns and offers guidance for organizations and individuals pursuing new land designations.
"Latinos are uniquely positioned to create positive, lasting change for all," said Juan Rosas, Hispanic Access Foundation Public Lands Program Manager. "This toolkit gives them the knowledge and tools necessary to successfully engage in meaningful civic action, policy decisions, and ensure that these treasured landscapes are protected for future generations."
Structured around clear thematic sections, the toolkit traces the history of public lands, unpacks current threats and opportunities, and lays out concrete pathways for engagement--from shaping public policy and mobilizing Latino communities to strengthening cultural connections to these spaces. It also doubles as a planning resource, helping organizations map out campaigns, set policy priorities, and build more inclusive advocacy efforts.
"Public lands belong to all of us, and the decisions shaping their future should reflect the voices, experiences, and priorities of the communities who cherish them," said Maite Arce, President and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. "We have the power to advance significant, transcendental legislation that protects our public lands and ensures lasting access to them for generations to come."
The toolkit also unpacks the major environmental laws that govern how public lands are managed, giving readers a clear picture of which agencies hold decision-making power and how communities can plug into that process. By translating dense legal and regulatory frameworks into plain-language guidance, it lowers the barrier for Latino communities and organizations to engage in public lands stewardship.
Download the toolkit at https://bit.ly/PublicLandsToolkit.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.hispanicaccess.org/news-releases/3132-new-toolkit-equips-latino-communities-to-understand-advocate-for-and-lead-on-public-lands
Greater Cincinnati Foundation Issues Commentary: Is It Time to Check in on Your Charitable Plan?
CINCINNATI, Aug. 15 -- The Greater Cincinnati Foundation issued the following commentary by senior gift planning advisor Stephanie Temeles:
* * *
Is it time to check in on your charitable plan?
One of the things I enjoy most about my work as a Senior Gift Planning Advisor at Greater Cincinnati Foundation is spending time with people and learning what truly matters to them. Individual philanthropy is often rooted in deeply personal values and experiences. Whether you're passionate about education, the arts, healthcare, housing, or another cause close to your heart, we can help you make a difference ... Show Full Article CINCINNATI, Aug. 15 -- The Greater Cincinnati Foundation issued the following commentary by senior gift planning advisor Stephanie Temeles: * * * Is it time to check in on your charitable plan? One of the things I enjoy most about my work as a Senior Gift Planning Advisor at Greater Cincinnati Foundation is spending time with people and learning what truly matters to them. Individual philanthropy is often rooted in deeply personal values and experiences. Whether you're passionate about education, the arts, healthcare, housing, or another cause close to your heart, we can help you make a differencetoday and for generations to come.
Many people create a charitable plan during a specific season of life. Maybe you established a donor advised fund after selling a business, included charitable gifts in your estate plan when your children were young, or began focusing more intentionally on giving after retirement.
But life doesn't stand still. Families grow, priorities shift, and new opportunities emerge in our community. That's why I often encourage donors to think about their charitable plans, including their will, the same way they think about their financial or estate plans: something worth revisiting from time to time.
If it's been a few years since you've taken a fresh look at your charitable goals, here are a few questions to consider:
Are the causes I'm supporting today still the ones I'm most passionate about?
Many donors discover that their interests evolve over time. The causes that inspired you ten years ago may still be important, but new experiences can open your eyes to different needs and opportunities to make an impact.
Does my charitable giving reflect my family's values?
Philanthropy can be a meaningful way to bring generations together. Children and grandchildren often develop passions of their own, and including them in conversations about giving can create a shared sense of purpose while helping shape the future of your family's philanthropy.
Have I reviewed my beneficiary designations recently?
Retirement account beneficiary designations are easy to overlook, but they're an important part of many charitable plans. If you haven't revisited them lately, now may be a good time. And if you've considered including a charitable fund or organization as a beneficiary, it's worth discussing the potential benefits with your professional advisors.
Do I know how our community's needs are changing?
Our region is constantly evolving, and so are the opportunities to make a difference. At GCF, we have the privilege of seeing both the broad trends and the inspiring work happening within local nonprofits every day. Learning about emerging needs can uncover new ways for your giving to create meaningful impact.
Am I making philanthropy as simple and enjoyable as possible?
Giving should be rewarding, not complicated. The right philanthropic tools and strategies can help streamline your giving, making it easier to stay focused on the organizations and causes you care about most.
The good news is that a charitable plan "checkup" doesn't always lead to major changes. Sometimes it simply provides reassurance that your giving continues to reflect your values and goals. Other times, it sparks new ideas, strengthens family engagement, or reveals opportunities to have an even greater impact. Charitable plans at GCF are flexible and easy to update, even without changing your will.
I would be honored to be a sounding board as you think through these questions and explore what comes next. At the heart of every conversation is the same goal: helping you connect your passions with the causes and organizations that matter most to you.
I look forward to continuing the conversation.
* * *
About Stephanie
Stephanie Temeles joined GCF in 2023. As a Senior Gift Planning Advisor, she enjoys listening to people's stories, understanding what inspires them, and helping them create meaningful, lasting impact around the causes that matter most to them, in our community and beyond. In 2026, Stephanie set a New Year's resolution to "do something that challenges you," which motivated her to complete her first sprint triathlon. She lives in Covington, Kentucky, with her husband and children. Together, they are restoring a 100-year-old home, one project at a time.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.gcfdn.org/blog/is-it-time-to-check-in-on-your-charitable-plan/
* * *
Is it time to check in on your charitable plan?
One of the things I enjoy most about my work as a Senior Gift Planning Advisor at Greater Cincinnati Foundation is spending time with people and learning what truly matters to them. Individual philanthropy is often rooted in deeply personal values and experiences. Whether you're passionate about education, the arts, healthcare, housing, or another cause close to your heart, we can help you make a difference ... Show Full Article CINCINNATI, Aug. 15 -- The Greater Cincinnati Foundation issued the following commentary by senior gift planning advisor Stephanie Temeles: * * * Is it time to check in on your charitable plan? One of the things I enjoy most about my work as a Senior Gift Planning Advisor at Greater Cincinnati Foundation is spending time with people and learning what truly matters to them. Individual philanthropy is often rooted in deeply personal values and experiences. Whether you're passionate about education, the arts, healthcare, housing, or another cause close to your heart, we can help you make a differencetoday and for generations to come.
Many people create a charitable plan during a specific season of life. Maybe you established a donor advised fund after selling a business, included charitable gifts in your estate plan when your children were young, or began focusing more intentionally on giving after retirement.
But life doesn't stand still. Families grow, priorities shift, and new opportunities emerge in our community. That's why I often encourage donors to think about their charitable plans, including their will, the same way they think about their financial or estate plans: something worth revisiting from time to time.
If it's been a few years since you've taken a fresh look at your charitable goals, here are a few questions to consider:
Are the causes I'm supporting today still the ones I'm most passionate about?
Many donors discover that their interests evolve over time. The causes that inspired you ten years ago may still be important, but new experiences can open your eyes to different needs and opportunities to make an impact.
Does my charitable giving reflect my family's values?
Philanthropy can be a meaningful way to bring generations together. Children and grandchildren often develop passions of their own, and including them in conversations about giving can create a shared sense of purpose while helping shape the future of your family's philanthropy.
Have I reviewed my beneficiary designations recently?
Retirement account beneficiary designations are easy to overlook, but they're an important part of many charitable plans. If you haven't revisited them lately, now may be a good time. And if you've considered including a charitable fund or organization as a beneficiary, it's worth discussing the potential benefits with your professional advisors.
Do I know how our community's needs are changing?
Our region is constantly evolving, and so are the opportunities to make a difference. At GCF, we have the privilege of seeing both the broad trends and the inspiring work happening within local nonprofits every day. Learning about emerging needs can uncover new ways for your giving to create meaningful impact.
Am I making philanthropy as simple and enjoyable as possible?
Giving should be rewarding, not complicated. The right philanthropic tools and strategies can help streamline your giving, making it easier to stay focused on the organizations and causes you care about most.
The good news is that a charitable plan "checkup" doesn't always lead to major changes. Sometimes it simply provides reassurance that your giving continues to reflect your values and goals. Other times, it sparks new ideas, strengthens family engagement, or reveals opportunities to have an even greater impact. Charitable plans at GCF are flexible and easy to update, even without changing your will.
I would be honored to be a sounding board as you think through these questions and explore what comes next. At the heart of every conversation is the same goal: helping you connect your passions with the causes and organizations that matter most to you.
I look forward to continuing the conversation.
* * *
About Stephanie
Stephanie Temeles joined GCF in 2023. As a Senior Gift Planning Advisor, she enjoys listening to people's stories, understanding what inspires them, and helping them create meaningful, lasting impact around the causes that matter most to them, in our community and beyond. In 2026, Stephanie set a New Year's resolution to "do something that challenges you," which motivated her to complete her first sprint triathlon. She lives in Covington, Kentucky, with her husband and children. Together, they are restoring a 100-year-old home, one project at a time.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.gcfdn.org/blog/is-it-time-to-check-in-on-your-charitable-plan/
French Court Was Right to Reject Sweeping Social Media Ban, Says ITIF
WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 [Category: Computer Technology]-- The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation posted the following news release:
* * *
French Court Was Right to Reject Sweeping Social Media Ban, Says ITIF
*
WASHINGTON-Following the French Constitutional Council's decision to strike down a bill that would have banned children under 15 from accessing social media, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, issued the following statement from Senior Policy Manager Ash Johnson:
The Constitutional Council rightfully ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 [Category: Computer Technology]-- The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation posted the following news release: * * * French Court Was Right to Reject Sweeping Social Media Ban, Says ITIF * WASHINGTON-Following the French Constitutional Council's decision to strike down a bill that would have banned children under 15 from accessing social media, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, issued the following statement from Senior Policy Manager Ash Johnson: The Constitutional Council rightfullyrecognized that the important goal of protecting young people online does not have to come at the expense of free speech and privacy. Sweeping social media bans unnecessarily put these priorities at odds when more targeted approaches can protect young people from specific online risks while preserving the educational, social, and expressive benefits of social media platforms.
The court also rightly recognized the broader privacy implications of enforcing a blanket age restriction. Enforcing such bans requires age-assurance systems that can undermine privacy and online anonymity, risks that are particularly concerning when implemented on the rushed timeline President Macron and the French Parliament proposed.
France now has the opportunity to slow down and correct its course away from hasty bans and toward policies that balance children's safety, user privacy, and free online expression. The court's decision should also serve as a reality check for other countries considering similar approaches.
Contact: Nicole Hinojosa, nhinojosa@itif.org
***
Original text here: https://itif.org/publications/publications/2026/08/14/french-court-was-right-to-reject-sweeping-social-media-ban-says-itif/
* * *
French Court Was Right to Reject Sweeping Social Media Ban, Says ITIF
*
WASHINGTON-Following the French Constitutional Council's decision to strike down a bill that would have banned children under 15 from accessing social media, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, issued the following statement from Senior Policy Manager Ash Johnson:
The Constitutional Council rightfully ... Show Full Article WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 [Category: Computer Technology]-- The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation posted the following news release: * * * French Court Was Right to Reject Sweeping Social Media Ban, Says ITIF * WASHINGTON-Following the French Constitutional Council's decision to strike down a bill that would have banned children under 15 from accessing social media, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, issued the following statement from Senior Policy Manager Ash Johnson: The Constitutional Council rightfullyrecognized that the important goal of protecting young people online does not have to come at the expense of free speech and privacy. Sweeping social media bans unnecessarily put these priorities at odds when more targeted approaches can protect young people from specific online risks while preserving the educational, social, and expressive benefits of social media platforms.
The court also rightly recognized the broader privacy implications of enforcing a blanket age restriction. Enforcing such bans requires age-assurance systems that can undermine privacy and online anonymity, risks that are particularly concerning when implemented on the rushed timeline President Macron and the French Parliament proposed.
France now has the opportunity to slow down and correct its course away from hasty bans and toward policies that balance children's safety, user privacy, and free online expression. The court's decision should also serve as a reality check for other countries considering similar approaches.
Contact: Nicole Hinojosa, nhinojosa@itif.org
***
Original text here: https://itif.org/publications/publications/2026/08/14/french-court-was-right-to-reject-sweeping-social-media-ban-says-itif/
FFRF: Michigan Police Department Must Remove Prominent Bible Passage
MADISON, Wisconsin, Aug. 14 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release:
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FFRF: Michigan police department must remove prominent bible passage
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is demanding that the Battle Creek Police Department in Michigan take down a Christian bible verse in large lettering from its public waiting room.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. -- Matthew 5:9," the display reads.
A concerned Battle Creek resident recently alerted the state/church watchdog to the display, explaining that encountering ... Show Full Article MADISON, Wisconsin, Aug. 14 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release: * * * FFRF: Michigan police department must remove prominent bible passage The Freedom From Religion Foundation is demanding that the Battle Creek Police Department in Michigan take down a Christian bible verse in large lettering from its public waiting room. "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. -- Matthew 5:9," the display reads. A concerned Battle Creek resident recently alerted the state/church watchdog to the display, explaining that encounteringan explicitly Christian message inside a government law enforcement facility made them feel like an outsider.
"As an atheist . . . I was offended by witnessing a violation of the separation of church and state in the city of Battle Creek Michigan Police Department waiting room," the resident reported to FFRF. "I personally felt discriminated against when observing the bible verse on display in a government building, concerned for the bias towards atheists and those of non-Judeo-Christian faith."
FFRF has sent a missive to the Police Department pointing out the constitutional transgression.
"Posting a bible quote on government property fails to respect this constitutional mandate of neutrality," FFRF Patrick O'Reiley Legal Fellow Charlotte R. Gude writes to Police Chief Shannon Bagley. "This posting promotes religion over nonreligion and Christianity over all other faiths."
People interact with and rely on law enforcement officers during some of the most urgent and vulnerable times of their lives, FFRF reminds the police chief. Battle Creek residents belonging to minority religions or with no religion at all, such as FFRF's complainant, should not be made to feel excluded because the local Police Department promotes a particular religious group's beliefs, implying official support for Christianity. Sectarian Christian displays marginalize community members among the 38 percent of Americans who are non-Christians, including the 31 percent of Michigan residents who are religiously unaffiliated.
"Imagine the outcry were a Quranic verse about peace posted at this Police Department. When a police department prominently displays New Testament Scripture, it sends a troubling message about whose beliefs are favored by those entrusted to safeguard citizens and enforce the law," says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. "Every Battle Creek resident, Christian or non-Christian, religious or nonreligious, should be able to walk into their police department confident that they will be treated equally and will not be confronted with bible verses."
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The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With more than 41,000 members across the country, including over 1,000 members in Michigan, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
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Original text here: https://ffrf.org/news/releases/ffrf-michigan-police-department-must-remove-prominent-bible-passage/
[Category: Religion]
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FFRF: Michigan police department must remove prominent bible passage
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is demanding that the Battle Creek Police Department in Michigan take down a Christian bible verse in large lettering from its public waiting room.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. -- Matthew 5:9," the display reads.
A concerned Battle Creek resident recently alerted the state/church watchdog to the display, explaining that encountering ... Show Full Article MADISON, Wisconsin, Aug. 14 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release: * * * FFRF: Michigan police department must remove prominent bible passage The Freedom From Religion Foundation is demanding that the Battle Creek Police Department in Michigan take down a Christian bible verse in large lettering from its public waiting room. "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. -- Matthew 5:9," the display reads. A concerned Battle Creek resident recently alerted the state/church watchdog to the display, explaining that encounteringan explicitly Christian message inside a government law enforcement facility made them feel like an outsider.
"As an atheist . . . I was offended by witnessing a violation of the separation of church and state in the city of Battle Creek Michigan Police Department waiting room," the resident reported to FFRF. "I personally felt discriminated against when observing the bible verse on display in a government building, concerned for the bias towards atheists and those of non-Judeo-Christian faith."
FFRF has sent a missive to the Police Department pointing out the constitutional transgression.
"Posting a bible quote on government property fails to respect this constitutional mandate of neutrality," FFRF Patrick O'Reiley Legal Fellow Charlotte R. Gude writes to Police Chief Shannon Bagley. "This posting promotes religion over nonreligion and Christianity over all other faiths."
People interact with and rely on law enforcement officers during some of the most urgent and vulnerable times of their lives, FFRF reminds the police chief. Battle Creek residents belonging to minority religions or with no religion at all, such as FFRF's complainant, should not be made to feel excluded because the local Police Department promotes a particular religious group's beliefs, implying official support for Christianity. Sectarian Christian displays marginalize community members among the 38 percent of Americans who are non-Christians, including the 31 percent of Michigan residents who are religiously unaffiliated.
"Imagine the outcry were a Quranic verse about peace posted at this Police Department. When a police department prominently displays New Testament Scripture, it sends a troubling message about whose beliefs are favored by those entrusted to safeguard citizens and enforce the law," says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. "Every Battle Creek resident, Christian or non-Christian, religious or nonreligious, should be able to walk into their police department confident that they will be treated equally and will not be confronted with bible verses."
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The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With more than 41,000 members across the country, including over 1,000 members in Michigan, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
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Original text here: https://ffrf.org/news/releases/ffrf-michigan-police-department-must-remove-prominent-bible-passage/
[Category: Religion]
FFRF Urges North Carolina: Don't Install Billy Graham Monument at Capitol
MADISON, Wisconsin, Aug. 14 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release:
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FFRF urges North Carolina: Don't install Billy Graham monument at Capitol
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is calling on North Carolina officials to reverse course on a planned monument of the controversial religious figure Rev. Billy Graham Jr.
The North Carolina General Assembly passed a state budget bill that included funding for a monument honoring Graham. There was no chance for public input or debate about the monument.
Currently, the North Carolina Capitol grounds feature ... Show Full Article MADISON, Wisconsin, Aug. 14 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release: * * * FFRF urges North Carolina: Don't install Billy Graham monument at Capitol The Freedom From Religion Foundation is calling on North Carolina officials to reverse course on a planned monument of the controversial religious figure Rev. Billy Graham Jr. The North Carolina General Assembly passed a state budget bill that included funding for a monument honoring Graham. There was no chance for public input or debate about the monument. Currently, the North Carolina Capitol grounds featuremonuments relating to the world wars, the Vietnam War, prominent presidents or those from the state and governors of North Carolina -- all included for secular reasons. A statue of Billy Graham can have no secular purpose and should not be placed at the seat of state government, FFRF emphasizes. The state/church watchdog is therefore asking that the Legislative Services Office use its discretion to refrain from using official government resources to promote a divisive religious figure and honor a single faith's leader.
"Although remarks by those who proposed the monument say that this monument would be to 'honor those people who have done great things for the people of this state,' the fact is that Graham lived his life in service to his evangelical Christian religion and the bible that he believed was an infallible reference manual," FFRF Co-Presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker write.
The question is not whether Graham was influential. He plainly was. The question is whether the seat of North Carolina government should permanently honor a figure whose influence was overwhelmingly religious and sectarian in nature, and whose public record included disparaging atheists, opposing LGBTQ+ equality, making antisemitic remarks and working to inject his evangelical beliefs into government.
Graham had a checkered history that included antisemitism, disdain for atheists and other alienating and divisive views. A released Watergate tape from 1972 caught Graham telling President Nixon that Jews had a "stranglehold" on the news. His career was additionally devoted to revivals, Christian conversions, hellfire preaching and the insertion of his brand of religion into what is supposed to be a secular country governed by a godless Constitution barring establishment of religion or governmental preference for religion.
Graham also notably lobbied Congress to pass a law declaring an annual National Day of Prayer, saying he wanted to "see the leaders of our country kneeling before almighty God in prayer." Unfortunately, Congress, in 1952 (with a minor amendment in 1988), did his bidding. This law enacted at Graham's behest has entangled religion and government, spawned countless inappropriate prayer breakfasts, prayerful governmental events and prayer resolutions at all levels of government, sending for generations a message that evangelical Christians are "insiders" and non-Christians and the nonreligious are "outsiders."
FFRF's freethinking North Carolina membership has been feeling estranged that the leaders of the state have chosen this outsized honor for Graham, especially given his years of advice columns deriding the nonreligious. In a column published on Aug. 7, 2010, by the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, Graham opined that "a true atheist has no real reason to believe in right and wrong, or to behave sacrificially toward others."
Graham vociferously opposed gay rights and marriage equality, saying that "we traffic in homosexuality at the peril of our spiritual welfare." Even in 1993, Graham's views offended public opinion so much that, after once suggesting that AIDS could be a "judgment" from God, he was forced to withdraw the remarks. He belonged to a denomination that refused to ordain women, including his own daughter, who defied the convention against preaching. The "Billy Graham" rule directing a man not to be alone with a woman other than his wife continues to influence evangelicals.
Billy Graham believed fervently in Christianity and people listened to him. But that is not worthy of a spot on the North Carolina Capitol grounds, which must serve and welcome all citizens, whether Christian, non-Christian, atheist or LGBTQ+. Graham sought to undo the only sure way to guarantee freedom of religion: a government free from religion. Giving him this unearned honor excludes those among the 31 percent of North Carolinians who are non-Christians, including the 26 percent of adult North Carolinians who are atheists, agnostics or religiously unaffiliated.
"North Carolinians are free to admire Billy Graham, and churches and religious organizations are free to build as many monuments to him as they wish," Gaylor and Barker state. "But the state Capitol is different. It should be a civic space that welcomes everyone, not a platform for the government to elevate an evangelical preacher whose life's work and public positions excluded and demeaned many of the people the state represents."
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The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With more than 41,000 members and several chapters across the country, including almost 1,000 members and a chapter in North Carolina, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
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Original text here: https://ffrf.org/news/releases/ffrf-urges-north-carolina-dont-install-billy-graham-monument-at-capitol/
[Category: Religion]
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FFRF urges North Carolina: Don't install Billy Graham monument at Capitol
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is calling on North Carolina officials to reverse course on a planned monument of the controversial religious figure Rev. Billy Graham Jr.
The North Carolina General Assembly passed a state budget bill that included funding for a monument honoring Graham. There was no chance for public input or debate about the monument.
Currently, the North Carolina Capitol grounds feature ... Show Full Article MADISON, Wisconsin, Aug. 14 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release: * * * FFRF urges North Carolina: Don't install Billy Graham monument at Capitol The Freedom From Religion Foundation is calling on North Carolina officials to reverse course on a planned monument of the controversial religious figure Rev. Billy Graham Jr. The North Carolina General Assembly passed a state budget bill that included funding for a monument honoring Graham. There was no chance for public input or debate about the monument. Currently, the North Carolina Capitol grounds featuremonuments relating to the world wars, the Vietnam War, prominent presidents or those from the state and governors of North Carolina -- all included for secular reasons. A statue of Billy Graham can have no secular purpose and should not be placed at the seat of state government, FFRF emphasizes. The state/church watchdog is therefore asking that the Legislative Services Office use its discretion to refrain from using official government resources to promote a divisive religious figure and honor a single faith's leader.
"Although remarks by those who proposed the monument say that this monument would be to 'honor those people who have done great things for the people of this state,' the fact is that Graham lived his life in service to his evangelical Christian religion and the bible that he believed was an infallible reference manual," FFRF Co-Presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker write.
The question is not whether Graham was influential. He plainly was. The question is whether the seat of North Carolina government should permanently honor a figure whose influence was overwhelmingly religious and sectarian in nature, and whose public record included disparaging atheists, opposing LGBTQ+ equality, making antisemitic remarks and working to inject his evangelical beliefs into government.
Graham had a checkered history that included antisemitism, disdain for atheists and other alienating and divisive views. A released Watergate tape from 1972 caught Graham telling President Nixon that Jews had a "stranglehold" on the news. His career was additionally devoted to revivals, Christian conversions, hellfire preaching and the insertion of his brand of religion into what is supposed to be a secular country governed by a godless Constitution barring establishment of religion or governmental preference for religion.
Graham also notably lobbied Congress to pass a law declaring an annual National Day of Prayer, saying he wanted to "see the leaders of our country kneeling before almighty God in prayer." Unfortunately, Congress, in 1952 (with a minor amendment in 1988), did his bidding. This law enacted at Graham's behest has entangled religion and government, spawned countless inappropriate prayer breakfasts, prayerful governmental events and prayer resolutions at all levels of government, sending for generations a message that evangelical Christians are "insiders" and non-Christians and the nonreligious are "outsiders."
FFRF's freethinking North Carolina membership has been feeling estranged that the leaders of the state have chosen this outsized honor for Graham, especially given his years of advice columns deriding the nonreligious. In a column published on Aug. 7, 2010, by the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, Graham opined that "a true atheist has no real reason to believe in right and wrong, or to behave sacrificially toward others."
Graham vociferously opposed gay rights and marriage equality, saying that "we traffic in homosexuality at the peril of our spiritual welfare." Even in 1993, Graham's views offended public opinion so much that, after once suggesting that AIDS could be a "judgment" from God, he was forced to withdraw the remarks. He belonged to a denomination that refused to ordain women, including his own daughter, who defied the convention against preaching. The "Billy Graham" rule directing a man not to be alone with a woman other than his wife continues to influence evangelicals.
Billy Graham believed fervently in Christianity and people listened to him. But that is not worthy of a spot on the North Carolina Capitol grounds, which must serve and welcome all citizens, whether Christian, non-Christian, atheist or LGBTQ+. Graham sought to undo the only sure way to guarantee freedom of religion: a government free from religion. Giving him this unearned honor excludes those among the 31 percent of North Carolinians who are non-Christians, including the 26 percent of adult North Carolinians who are atheists, agnostics or religiously unaffiliated.
"North Carolinians are free to admire Billy Graham, and churches and religious organizations are free to build as many monuments to him as they wish," Gaylor and Barker state. "But the state Capitol is different. It should be a civic space that welcomes everyone, not a platform for the government to elevate an evangelical preacher whose life's work and public positions excluded and demeaned many of the people the state represents."
* * *
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With more than 41,000 members and several chapters across the country, including almost 1,000 members and a chapter in North Carolina, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
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Original text here: https://ffrf.org/news/releases/ffrf-urges-north-carolina-dont-install-billy-graham-monument-at-capitol/
[Category: Religion]
Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Awards $4.2 Million to Exceptional Early-Career Scientists
NEW YORK, Aug. 14 -- The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation issued the following news release:
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Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation awards $4.2 million to exceptional early-career scientists
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has named 14 new Damon Runyon Fellows, brilliant postdoctoral scientists conducting basic and translational cancer research in the laboratories of leading senior investigators. This prestigious Fellowship encourages the nation's most promising young scientists to pursue careers in cancer research by providing them with independent funding ($300,000 ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, Aug. 14 -- The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation issued the following news release: * * * Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation awards $4.2 million to exceptional early-career scientists The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has named 14 new Damon Runyon Fellows, brilliant postdoctoral scientists conducting basic and translational cancer research in the laboratories of leading senior investigators. This prestigious Fellowship encourages the nation's most promising young scientists to pursue careers in cancer research by providing them with independent funding ($300,000total over four years) to investigate cancer causes, mechanisms, therapies, and prevention.
"There's so much talent and excitement and passion and energy at this stage of a scientist's career," said current Damon Runyon-Timmerman Traverse Fellow Antonio J. LaPorte, PhD. "To take advantage of that human spirit, we really need foundations like Damon Runyon to help out with funding."
"We are committed to continuing to provide financial support for these exceptional researchers, whose much-needed breakthroughs in cancer prevention, diagnostics, and therapeutics might otherwise go unfunded," said Yung S. Lie, PhD, President and CEO of Damon Runyon. "Damon Runyon Fellows are the future leaders of their fields."
May 2026 Fellows
Nicholas Aboreden, PhD [Robertson Foundation Fellow], with his sponsor Kimberly Stegmaier, MD, at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston
Only two percent of the human genome contains instructions for making proteins. Much of the remaining 98 percent, once referred to as "genomic dark matter," consists of regulatory elements that act as molecular switches to turn genes on or off. These molecular switches are broadly categorized into two groups: enhancers (on-switches) and silencers (off-switches). While it is well-known that cancers exploit enhancer elements to amplify the expression of growth-promoting genes, silencers remain poorly understood. Dr. Aboreden's research focuses on the repressive mechanisms that cancer cells use to sustain uncontrolled growth. He is mapping the regulatory genome of an aggressive type of pediatric leukemia characterized by widespread gene repression. By identifying silencer elements that these cancer cells use to maintain a malignant state, his work aims to identify new therapeutic vulnerabilities to selectively target cancer. The insights gleaned from this work will have broad relevance across diverse tumor types. Dr. Aboreden received his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, his MS from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, and his BS from Liberty University, Lynchburg.
Shihui Chen, PhD [Timmerman Traverse Fellow], with her sponsor Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, PhD, at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
During the first days of embryogenesis, genetically identical cells begin the process of differentiation, switching genes "on" or "off" to establish distinct cell lineages that will ultimately form the embryo and supporting tissues. Aberrant reactivation of these embryonic gene regulatory programs later in life is a hallmark of many cancers. Dr. Chen's research investigates how genetically identical cells acquire distinct fates during early mammalian development and explores the shared gene regulatory mechanisms that govern both development and cancer. Using mouse embryos as a model system, she will determine how CARM1, a regulator that is frequently overexpressed in human cancers, controls gene expression programs that drive early cell fate decisions. This work will reveal fundamental mechanisms that establish and maintain cellular identity and provide insight into how developmental pathways are hijacked during cancer initiation and progression. Dr. Chen received her PhD from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and her BS from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan.
Stephanie A. Gaglione, PhD [Timmerman Traverse Fellow], with her sponsor Alexander Marson, MD, PhD, at The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco
Cancer immunotherapies can be engineered to direct T cells against specific tumor antigens, but many challenging cancers lack viable targets. Recent advances suggest that an understudied source of antigens can generate strong immune responses. These cryptic antigens originate from unusual and noncoding parts of viruses and tumor genomes and may be shared between patients. Dr. Gaglione will apply cutting-edge tools to comprehensively profile the antigen landscape of virally-driven cancers, mapping which antigens are presented to the immune system and which trigger tumor-specific immune responses. This work will reveal new, potentially shared targets for T cell-based therapies, including engineered T cells and cancer vaccines. Beyond virally-driven cancers, these approaches may help identify therapeutic targets and mechanisms in other diseases with T cell involvement. Dr. Gaglione received her PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, her MSc from the University of Oxford, Oxford, and her BASc from the University of Toronto, Toronto.
Yi Hua, PhD [Connie and Bob Lurie Fellow], with his sponsor Alice Y. Ting, PhD, at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford
Cell surface proteins play prominent roles in regulating immune responses and govern intercellular communications within the tumor microenvironment. To study the roles of cell surface proteins during cancer progression at exceptional molecular resolution, Dr. Hua aims to develop SortID, a novel labeling technology based on an engineered bacterial enzyme. SortID will be able to rapidly label any exposed protein residues on the cell surface, enabling precise mapping of the cell surface without pre-installed tags. To demonstrate its transformative utility, Dr. Hua will deploy SortID to map the surface of SLAMF7, a critical therapeutic target in multiple myeloma. Ultimately, SortID will provide a highly precise and comprehensive map of cell surface interactions, deepening our understanding of cancer progression and unlocking novel targets for targeted immunotherapies. Dr. Hua received his PhD from Princeton University, Princeton, and his BS from Tsinghua University, Beijing.
Devon Jeltema, PhD, with her sponsor Britt A. Glaunsinger, PhD, at the University of California, Berkeley
A family of enzymes called PARPs help cells defend against viruses and other stressors by chemically modifying other molecules. While research on PARPs has historically focused on their modification of proteins, Dr. Jeltema's research explores the modification of RNA by PARPs. Her project aims to investigate how RNA modification affects immune responses to threats like viral infection and cancer. Using biochemical and sequencing tools to map which RNA molecules are modified, Dr. Jeltema hopes to identify a new facet of immune defense that can be harnessed to treat cancer. Dr. Jeltema received her PhD from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, and her BS from Wheaton College, Norton.
Jaejin Kim, PhD [Hope Funds for Cancer Research Fellow], with his sponsor Elaine Fuchs, PhD, at The Rockefeller University, New York
Inflammatory diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease often recur years later in the same places, suggesting that tissues can "remember" past insults. Such memories can be beneficial, accelerating wound healing and pathogen defense, but they can also be maladaptive, predisposing tissues to chronic inflammation and cancer. It remains unclear how this memory is preserved in stem cells that otherwise appear normal, and which features promote regeneration versus cancer. Dr. Kim aims to identify the genes and molecular mechanisms underlying tissue memory and to define their consequences for wound repair and tumorigenesis. Identifying the "bad memories" that drive tumorigenesis could open opportunities to selectively erase them--reducing cancer risk without compromising normal regeneration--and may one day help prevent inflammation-linked cancers before they arise. Dr. Kim received his PhD and BSc from Seoul National University, Seoul.
Zhuoran Li, PhD [Connie and Bob Lurie Fellow], with her sponsor Katrin J. Svensson, PhD, at Stanford University, Stanford
Changes in appetite and metabolism can affect how tumors develop, how they progress, and overall patient prognosis. Peptide hormones are small signaling molecules that help organs communicate and coordinate whole-body metabolism. Recent computational studies suggest that the brain may produce many more peptides than previously recognized--yet for most of these, we still do not know what they do, where they act, or how they work together. Dr. Li aims to identify new peptide signals produced by the brain and determine how they affect appetite and regulate metabolism. This work may reveal new brain-body signaling pathways that could ultimately help support cancer treatment and improve patient well-being. Dr. Li received her PhD from Stanford University, Stanford, and her BS from Peking University, Beijing.
Rachael A. McMinimy, PhD [Connie and Bob Lurie Fellow], with her sponsor Isha Himani Jain, PhD, at The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco
Normal cells convert glucose into energy via cellular respiration in the mitochondria, but cancer cells often rely on alternative metabolic pathways that support rapid growth. Central to this strategy is the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, an enzymatic switch that controls how cells use glucose. Dr. McMinimy studies a newly discovered pathway that regulates this switch through selective protein degradation. By understanding and manipulating this pathway, she hopes to redirect cancer cell metabolism back toward the mitochondria, potentially slowing tumor growth. Dr. McMinimy received her PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and her BA from Oberlin College, Oberlin.
Gayathri Muthukumar, PhD [Robertson Foundation Fellow], with her sponsor Carolyn Bertozzi, PhD, at Stanford University, Stanford
More than half of all FDA-approved biotherapeutics target proteins on the cell surface involved in intercellular communication. The vast majority of these proteins are decorated with post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as the addition of a sugar molecule, but our understanding of how individual PTMs affect communication in a disease context is poor. As aggressive tumors often have surface proteins thickly coated in sugar molecules, they are suspected to play a role in in driving oncogenic growth and tumor immune evasion. Dr. Muthukumar will map cell surface and intracellular membrane PTMs in cancer cells, and then interrogate the role each of these PTMs play in oncogenesis with precise mutational genomic screens. This will highlight the PTMs that drive tumor pathology, allowing for the development of new precision therapeutics and cancer diagnostic markers. Dr. Muthukumar received her PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, and her BA from Columbia University, New York.
Angelos Pistofidis, PhD [Timmerman Traverse Fellow], with his sponsor Seychelle M. Vos, PhD, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
During mitosis, two copies of the genome condense and segregate, a process catalyzed by a protein known as transcription termination factor 2 (TTF2). Mutations in TTF2 have been associated with incomplete genome segregation, DNA damage, and cell death. Research has shown that TTF2 is necessary for many cancers, making it a prime target for future cancer therapeutics. Dr. Pistofidis aims to use a combination of structural biology, biochemistry, and single-molecule biophysics to outline the molecular mechanism of TTF2. Ultimately, this work will reveal vulnerabilities in the mechanism of TTF2 that can be exploited for the development of cancer therapeutics. Dr. Pistofidis received his PhD from McGill University, Montreal, and his MSc from the University College London, London.
Bailey Schultz, PhD [Timmerman Traverse Fellow], with his sponsor Jeremy Rock, PhD, at The Rockefeller University, New York
Estimates suggest that a quarter of the world's population has been infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes tuberculosis (TB) and kills more people than any other pathogen. The relationship between TB and cancer is bidirectional: a history of TB is associated with a higher risk of developing cancer (especially respiratory cancers), while many cancers and chemotherapies increase the risk of contracting TB by weakening the immune system, and some immunotherapies can even reactivate dormant TB infections. Better anti-TB drugs are urgently needed, but drug development efforts have been hampered by an incomplete molecular-level understanding of how M. tuberculosis grows and divides. Dr. Schultz is using genome-wide CRISPR-based approaches to identify and study genes that regulate mycobacterial cell growth and division. His work will point to new drug targets and help anticipate possible routes of antibiotic resistance, hopefully leading to new treatments for TB that will ease its burden on cancer patients. Dr. Schultz received his PhD from Harvard University, Cambridge, and his BS from Stanford University, Stanford.
Christina A. Stephens, PhD [National Mah Jongg League Fellow], with her sponsor Naomi R. Latorraca, PhD, and Ruben L. Gonzalez, Jr., PhD, at Columbia University, New York
Solid tumors, like those commonly found in breast and lung cancers, are challenging to treat using state-of-the-art cell engineering techniques due to their heterogeneous surface proteins. There is thus a need to identify unique markers on tumor cells that can be used as molecular targets. Recently, a subclass of surface proteins known as aGPCRs has been recognized as potential markers and propagators of several cancers, but little is known about their molecular mechanism. Dr. Stephen's research uses single-molecule microscopy coupled with molecular dynamics simulations to provide a detailed picture of the factors that control aGPCR activation. Dr. Stephens will ultimately use these assays to screen and optimize therapeutic targeting of aGPCRs implicated in cancer. Dr. Stephens received her PhD from the University of California, San Francisco, and her BS from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg.
Yang Su, PhD [Robertson Foundation Fellow], with his sponsor Samie R. Jaffrey, MD, PhD, at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York
The oncogene c-MYC is a "master regulator" that drives aggressive cancer growth but is widely considered "undruggable" due to its lack of an accessible drug-binding pocket. Inside a cell, the levels of c-MYC protein are tightly controlled at both the RNA and protein levels by various chemical modifications. For example, c-MYC messenger RNA (mRNA) is frequently modified with the addition of a methyl group, which typically triggers rapid mRNA decay. Dr. Su and his colleagues recently discovered that c-MYC mRNA can also be decorated with two methyl groups, a completely new class of modification. Crucial questions remain unanswered: What is the biological impact of this modification on c-MYC? Which enzyme installs it? How does it alter c-MYC function? Dr. Su will address these questions using multidisciplinary approaches, revealing a fundamentally new mechanism of c-MYC regulation and paving the way for novel therapeutics designed to interfere with c-MYC modifications in cancer cells. Dr. Su received his PhD from the University of Georgia, Athens, and his BS from Zhejiang University, Hangzhou.
Shuya Wang, PhD [Robertson Foundation Fellow], with her sponsor David S. Pellman, MD, at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston
Even within the same tumor, cancer cells can differ in which genes they turn on or off, allowing some cells to adapt, survive treatment, or become more aggressive. These differences are often driven by changes in the epigenome, a layer of regulation that controls gene activity. Dr. Wang's project explores the origin of epigenetic heterogeneity in cancer, focusing on the role of genome instability in driving epigenetic changes. By identifying the genes and pathways that connect these processes, she aims to better understand how cancer cells generate and maintain epigenetic heterogeneity, revealing new ways to limit tumor evolution, adaptation, and treatment resistance across all cancer types. Dr. Wang received her PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles, and her BS from Emory University, Decatur.
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Original text here: https://www.damonrunyon.org/discovery/damon-runyon-cancer-research-foundation-awards-42-million-exceptional-early-career
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Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation awards $4.2 million to exceptional early-career scientists
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has named 14 new Damon Runyon Fellows, brilliant postdoctoral scientists conducting basic and translational cancer research in the laboratories of leading senior investigators. This prestigious Fellowship encourages the nation's most promising young scientists to pursue careers in cancer research by providing them with independent funding ($300,000 ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, Aug. 14 -- The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation issued the following news release: * * * Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation awards $4.2 million to exceptional early-career scientists The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has named 14 new Damon Runyon Fellows, brilliant postdoctoral scientists conducting basic and translational cancer research in the laboratories of leading senior investigators. This prestigious Fellowship encourages the nation's most promising young scientists to pursue careers in cancer research by providing them with independent funding ($300,000total over four years) to investigate cancer causes, mechanisms, therapies, and prevention.
"There's so much talent and excitement and passion and energy at this stage of a scientist's career," said current Damon Runyon-Timmerman Traverse Fellow Antonio J. LaPorte, PhD. "To take advantage of that human spirit, we really need foundations like Damon Runyon to help out with funding."
"We are committed to continuing to provide financial support for these exceptional researchers, whose much-needed breakthroughs in cancer prevention, diagnostics, and therapeutics might otherwise go unfunded," said Yung S. Lie, PhD, President and CEO of Damon Runyon. "Damon Runyon Fellows are the future leaders of their fields."
May 2026 Fellows
Nicholas Aboreden, PhD [Robertson Foundation Fellow], with his sponsor Kimberly Stegmaier, MD, at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston
Only two percent of the human genome contains instructions for making proteins. Much of the remaining 98 percent, once referred to as "genomic dark matter," consists of regulatory elements that act as molecular switches to turn genes on or off. These molecular switches are broadly categorized into two groups: enhancers (on-switches) and silencers (off-switches). While it is well-known that cancers exploit enhancer elements to amplify the expression of growth-promoting genes, silencers remain poorly understood. Dr. Aboreden's research focuses on the repressive mechanisms that cancer cells use to sustain uncontrolled growth. He is mapping the regulatory genome of an aggressive type of pediatric leukemia characterized by widespread gene repression. By identifying silencer elements that these cancer cells use to maintain a malignant state, his work aims to identify new therapeutic vulnerabilities to selectively target cancer. The insights gleaned from this work will have broad relevance across diverse tumor types. Dr. Aboreden received his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, his MS from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, and his BS from Liberty University, Lynchburg.
Shihui Chen, PhD [Timmerman Traverse Fellow], with her sponsor Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, PhD, at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
During the first days of embryogenesis, genetically identical cells begin the process of differentiation, switching genes "on" or "off" to establish distinct cell lineages that will ultimately form the embryo and supporting tissues. Aberrant reactivation of these embryonic gene regulatory programs later in life is a hallmark of many cancers. Dr. Chen's research investigates how genetically identical cells acquire distinct fates during early mammalian development and explores the shared gene regulatory mechanisms that govern both development and cancer. Using mouse embryos as a model system, she will determine how CARM1, a regulator that is frequently overexpressed in human cancers, controls gene expression programs that drive early cell fate decisions. This work will reveal fundamental mechanisms that establish and maintain cellular identity and provide insight into how developmental pathways are hijacked during cancer initiation and progression. Dr. Chen received her PhD from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and her BS from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan.
Stephanie A. Gaglione, PhD [Timmerman Traverse Fellow], with her sponsor Alexander Marson, MD, PhD, at The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco
Cancer immunotherapies can be engineered to direct T cells against specific tumor antigens, but many challenging cancers lack viable targets. Recent advances suggest that an understudied source of antigens can generate strong immune responses. These cryptic antigens originate from unusual and noncoding parts of viruses and tumor genomes and may be shared between patients. Dr. Gaglione will apply cutting-edge tools to comprehensively profile the antigen landscape of virally-driven cancers, mapping which antigens are presented to the immune system and which trigger tumor-specific immune responses. This work will reveal new, potentially shared targets for T cell-based therapies, including engineered T cells and cancer vaccines. Beyond virally-driven cancers, these approaches may help identify therapeutic targets and mechanisms in other diseases with T cell involvement. Dr. Gaglione received her PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, her MSc from the University of Oxford, Oxford, and her BASc from the University of Toronto, Toronto.
Yi Hua, PhD [Connie and Bob Lurie Fellow], with his sponsor Alice Y. Ting, PhD, at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford
Cell surface proteins play prominent roles in regulating immune responses and govern intercellular communications within the tumor microenvironment. To study the roles of cell surface proteins during cancer progression at exceptional molecular resolution, Dr. Hua aims to develop SortID, a novel labeling technology based on an engineered bacterial enzyme. SortID will be able to rapidly label any exposed protein residues on the cell surface, enabling precise mapping of the cell surface without pre-installed tags. To demonstrate its transformative utility, Dr. Hua will deploy SortID to map the surface of SLAMF7, a critical therapeutic target in multiple myeloma. Ultimately, SortID will provide a highly precise and comprehensive map of cell surface interactions, deepening our understanding of cancer progression and unlocking novel targets for targeted immunotherapies. Dr. Hua received his PhD from Princeton University, Princeton, and his BS from Tsinghua University, Beijing.
Devon Jeltema, PhD, with her sponsor Britt A. Glaunsinger, PhD, at the University of California, Berkeley
A family of enzymes called PARPs help cells defend against viruses and other stressors by chemically modifying other molecules. While research on PARPs has historically focused on their modification of proteins, Dr. Jeltema's research explores the modification of RNA by PARPs. Her project aims to investigate how RNA modification affects immune responses to threats like viral infection and cancer. Using biochemical and sequencing tools to map which RNA molecules are modified, Dr. Jeltema hopes to identify a new facet of immune defense that can be harnessed to treat cancer. Dr. Jeltema received her PhD from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, and her BS from Wheaton College, Norton.
Jaejin Kim, PhD [Hope Funds for Cancer Research Fellow], with his sponsor Elaine Fuchs, PhD, at The Rockefeller University, New York
Inflammatory diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease often recur years later in the same places, suggesting that tissues can "remember" past insults. Such memories can be beneficial, accelerating wound healing and pathogen defense, but they can also be maladaptive, predisposing tissues to chronic inflammation and cancer. It remains unclear how this memory is preserved in stem cells that otherwise appear normal, and which features promote regeneration versus cancer. Dr. Kim aims to identify the genes and molecular mechanisms underlying tissue memory and to define their consequences for wound repair and tumorigenesis. Identifying the "bad memories" that drive tumorigenesis could open opportunities to selectively erase them--reducing cancer risk without compromising normal regeneration--and may one day help prevent inflammation-linked cancers before they arise. Dr. Kim received his PhD and BSc from Seoul National University, Seoul.
Zhuoran Li, PhD [Connie and Bob Lurie Fellow], with her sponsor Katrin J. Svensson, PhD, at Stanford University, Stanford
Changes in appetite and metabolism can affect how tumors develop, how they progress, and overall patient prognosis. Peptide hormones are small signaling molecules that help organs communicate and coordinate whole-body metabolism. Recent computational studies suggest that the brain may produce many more peptides than previously recognized--yet for most of these, we still do not know what they do, where they act, or how they work together. Dr. Li aims to identify new peptide signals produced by the brain and determine how they affect appetite and regulate metabolism. This work may reveal new brain-body signaling pathways that could ultimately help support cancer treatment and improve patient well-being. Dr. Li received her PhD from Stanford University, Stanford, and her BS from Peking University, Beijing.
Rachael A. McMinimy, PhD [Connie and Bob Lurie Fellow], with her sponsor Isha Himani Jain, PhD, at The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco
Normal cells convert glucose into energy via cellular respiration in the mitochondria, but cancer cells often rely on alternative metabolic pathways that support rapid growth. Central to this strategy is the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, an enzymatic switch that controls how cells use glucose. Dr. McMinimy studies a newly discovered pathway that regulates this switch through selective protein degradation. By understanding and manipulating this pathway, she hopes to redirect cancer cell metabolism back toward the mitochondria, potentially slowing tumor growth. Dr. McMinimy received her PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and her BA from Oberlin College, Oberlin.
Gayathri Muthukumar, PhD [Robertson Foundation Fellow], with her sponsor Carolyn Bertozzi, PhD, at Stanford University, Stanford
More than half of all FDA-approved biotherapeutics target proteins on the cell surface involved in intercellular communication. The vast majority of these proteins are decorated with post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as the addition of a sugar molecule, but our understanding of how individual PTMs affect communication in a disease context is poor. As aggressive tumors often have surface proteins thickly coated in sugar molecules, they are suspected to play a role in in driving oncogenic growth and tumor immune evasion. Dr. Muthukumar will map cell surface and intracellular membrane PTMs in cancer cells, and then interrogate the role each of these PTMs play in oncogenesis with precise mutational genomic screens. This will highlight the PTMs that drive tumor pathology, allowing for the development of new precision therapeutics and cancer diagnostic markers. Dr. Muthukumar received her PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, and her BA from Columbia University, New York.
Angelos Pistofidis, PhD [Timmerman Traverse Fellow], with his sponsor Seychelle M. Vos, PhD, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
During mitosis, two copies of the genome condense and segregate, a process catalyzed by a protein known as transcription termination factor 2 (TTF2). Mutations in TTF2 have been associated with incomplete genome segregation, DNA damage, and cell death. Research has shown that TTF2 is necessary for many cancers, making it a prime target for future cancer therapeutics. Dr. Pistofidis aims to use a combination of structural biology, biochemistry, and single-molecule biophysics to outline the molecular mechanism of TTF2. Ultimately, this work will reveal vulnerabilities in the mechanism of TTF2 that can be exploited for the development of cancer therapeutics. Dr. Pistofidis received his PhD from McGill University, Montreal, and his MSc from the University College London, London.
Bailey Schultz, PhD [Timmerman Traverse Fellow], with his sponsor Jeremy Rock, PhD, at The Rockefeller University, New York
Estimates suggest that a quarter of the world's population has been infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes tuberculosis (TB) and kills more people than any other pathogen. The relationship between TB and cancer is bidirectional: a history of TB is associated with a higher risk of developing cancer (especially respiratory cancers), while many cancers and chemotherapies increase the risk of contracting TB by weakening the immune system, and some immunotherapies can even reactivate dormant TB infections. Better anti-TB drugs are urgently needed, but drug development efforts have been hampered by an incomplete molecular-level understanding of how M. tuberculosis grows and divides. Dr. Schultz is using genome-wide CRISPR-based approaches to identify and study genes that regulate mycobacterial cell growth and division. His work will point to new drug targets and help anticipate possible routes of antibiotic resistance, hopefully leading to new treatments for TB that will ease its burden on cancer patients. Dr. Schultz received his PhD from Harvard University, Cambridge, and his BS from Stanford University, Stanford.
Christina A. Stephens, PhD [National Mah Jongg League Fellow], with her sponsor Naomi R. Latorraca, PhD, and Ruben L. Gonzalez, Jr., PhD, at Columbia University, New York
Solid tumors, like those commonly found in breast and lung cancers, are challenging to treat using state-of-the-art cell engineering techniques due to their heterogeneous surface proteins. There is thus a need to identify unique markers on tumor cells that can be used as molecular targets. Recently, a subclass of surface proteins known as aGPCRs has been recognized as potential markers and propagators of several cancers, but little is known about their molecular mechanism. Dr. Stephen's research uses single-molecule microscopy coupled with molecular dynamics simulations to provide a detailed picture of the factors that control aGPCR activation. Dr. Stephens will ultimately use these assays to screen and optimize therapeutic targeting of aGPCRs implicated in cancer. Dr. Stephens received her PhD from the University of California, San Francisco, and her BS from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg.
Yang Su, PhD [Robertson Foundation Fellow], with his sponsor Samie R. Jaffrey, MD, PhD, at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York
The oncogene c-MYC is a "master regulator" that drives aggressive cancer growth but is widely considered "undruggable" due to its lack of an accessible drug-binding pocket. Inside a cell, the levels of c-MYC protein are tightly controlled at both the RNA and protein levels by various chemical modifications. For example, c-MYC messenger RNA (mRNA) is frequently modified with the addition of a methyl group, which typically triggers rapid mRNA decay. Dr. Su and his colleagues recently discovered that c-MYC mRNA can also be decorated with two methyl groups, a completely new class of modification. Crucial questions remain unanswered: What is the biological impact of this modification on c-MYC? Which enzyme installs it? How does it alter c-MYC function? Dr. Su will address these questions using multidisciplinary approaches, revealing a fundamentally new mechanism of c-MYC regulation and paving the way for novel therapeutics designed to interfere with c-MYC modifications in cancer cells. Dr. Su received his PhD from the University of Georgia, Athens, and his BS from Zhejiang University, Hangzhou.
Shuya Wang, PhD [Robertson Foundation Fellow], with her sponsor David S. Pellman, MD, at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston
Even within the same tumor, cancer cells can differ in which genes they turn on or off, allowing some cells to adapt, survive treatment, or become more aggressive. These differences are often driven by changes in the epigenome, a layer of regulation that controls gene activity. Dr. Wang's project explores the origin of epigenetic heterogeneity in cancer, focusing on the role of genome instability in driving epigenetic changes. By identifying the genes and pathways that connect these processes, she aims to better understand how cancer cells generate and maintain epigenetic heterogeneity, revealing new ways to limit tumor evolution, adaptation, and treatment resistance across all cancer types. Dr. Wang received her PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles, and her BS from Emory University, Decatur.
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Original text here: https://www.damonrunyon.org/discovery/damon-runyon-cancer-research-foundation-awards-42-million-exceptional-early-career