100 high school students from across the U.S. chosen for their compelling essays detailing the impact of cancer in their lives and interest in cancer research
Recipients of awards made possible by grants from Genentech, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Novartis
ARLINGTON, VA – One hundred high school students from 28 states have been named winners in the third year of PBS’ and Stand Up To Cancer’s Emperor Science Award program. The program is designed to empower high school students to become the next generation of scientists as they explore careers in cancer research and care through a unique mentoring opportunity. Three of the Awardees are students receiving support for a second year of mentorship, as allowed by the program.
PBS and Stand Up To Cancer, a division of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, received nearly 600 applications from eligible 10th and 11th grade students in 44 states throughout the U.S. who are interested in pursuing careers in cancer research. Prominent scientists served as judges and evaluated the students’ applications: written essays submitted online this fall, addressing how cancer has affected them or their communities; how science can help find a cure for cancer; and, if they are able to become cancer researchers, what scientific fields would they study and why.
Will Broomhead, a second-time Emperor Science Award winner and cancer survivor from Villa Hills, Kentucky, exemplifies the passion for research and commitment to collaboration so valued in these students. Science and cancer research became his focus after surgical removal of a synovial sarcoma, a soft tissue cancer, from his back. No longer eligible to pursue his dream of training as an Air Force fighter pilot, he is determined to become a pediatric oncology doctor and researcher. Will used his 2017 Emperor Science Award stipend to purchase and distribute 700 Foldscopes – an affordable, origami-type microscope with optical quality similar to a research microscope – to students in six schools. He keeps in touch with these students and teachers via his “Foldscopes for Kentucky” Facebook page where they share findings and discuss new topics for the students to research.
In 2017, Will worked with his Emperor Science Award mentor on growing cell cultures from mutated cells and from patients to determine the genetic profile of the cell lines and then treating them with different drugs to assess which treatments work. This year, Will hopes to continue to explore additional areas of cancer research to inform what he wants to pursue. In his essay, Will wrote, “Experiments fail and succeed every day. Cancer may be a big problem, but there are researchers who have chosen to be part of the solution and are not accepting defeat. I have seen firsthand the benefits of cancer research, and I am choosing to help find a solution and be part of the team who discovers a cure for cancer.”
“At PBS, our goal is to spark a passion for learning and provide students and their educators with the resources and support they need for that learning,” said Sara Schapiro, Vice President, PBS Education. “We’re proud to welcome a new class of students to the Emperor Science Award mentorship program. Not only are the students selected for this year’s class leaders in their schools and communities, they demonstrate investigative curiosity as well as compassion for patients.”
The 100 Emperor Science Award recipients will work with an esteemed university scientist on a rewarding multi-week cancer research project, receive a Google Chromebook computer to enhance their studies and facilitate mentor access for those who live at a distance from their mentors' research facility and a $1,500 stipend for expenses.
The Emperor Science Award Program extends the learning and outreach from the PBS documentary, Ken Burns Presents CANCER: THE EMPEROR OF ALL MALADIES A Film by Barak Goodman, a three-part film on the history of cancer that aired on PBS in the spring of 2015.
“Knowing that one in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, it’s not surprising that many of these students have personal connections to cancer – some are even cancer survivors themselves. The depth of their interest in and commitment to pursuing cancer research is extraordinary,” said Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, president and CEO of Stand Up To Cancer. “We hope the Awards serve as a springboard to careers in cancer research, and that these students help more cancer patients become long-term survivors.”
Students from rural, suburban and urban communities in 28 states comprise this third class of Emperor Science Awardees. These students demonstrated awareness of emerging developments in cancer treatment, including immunotherapy, precision medicine and epigenetics, and have an impressive range of research focuses and interests, including cancer prevention, nanotechnology, cellular biology, public health services, stems cells, bioinformatics, DNA splicing, genetics and computational sciences.
The Emperor Science Award Program has been made possible by generous financial support from Founding Donors Genentech, a member of the Roche Group; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; and Novartis. Their support has funded a total of 300 awards through the first three years.
“We are honored to support this year’s recipients of the Emperor Science Award, a cohort of students whose inquisitiveness and commitment to science are very inspiring,” said Sara Kenkare-Mitra, senior vice president, Development Sciences at Genentech. “We strongly believe that mentorship opportunities are critical for providing young minds with the encouragement and insights to explore careers in science, research and health care.”
“We continue to be impressed with the incredible passion and powerful potential of the Emperor Science Award winners to advance our understanding of cancer,” said Awny Farajallah, MD, vice president, head of U.S. Medical Oncology at Bristol-Myers Squibb. “The dedication of these students leaves us hopeful for a future that is powered by both clinical progress and better outcomes for people throughout their cancer journey.”
“We applaud this year’s student award winners and mentors said Ameet Mallik, Executive Vice President, Novartis Oncology. With research discoveries happening at a rapid pace, we know what an exciting time it is to be a scientist. Novartis is proud to support this important mentorship program and inspire the next generation of scientists. "
The full list of Emperor Science Award recipients is available at www.emperorscienceaward.com. For more information on PBS LearningMedia, visit www.pbslearningmedia.org.
About Stand Up To Cancer
Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) raises funds to accelerate the pace of research to get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives now. SU2C, a division of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was established in 2008 by film and media leaders who utilize the industry’s resources to engage the public in supporting a new, collaborative model of cancer research, and to increase awareness about cancer prevention as well as progress being made in the fight against the disease. As SU2C’s scientific partner, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and a Scientific Advisory Committee led by Nobel Laureate Phillip A. Sharp, PhD, conduct rigorous, competitive review processes to identify the best research proposals to recommend for funding, oversee grants administration, and provide expert review of research progress.
Current members of the SU2C Council of Founders and Advisors (CFA) include Katie Couric, Sherry Lansing, Lisa Paulsen, Rusty Robertson, Sue Schwartz, Pamela Oas Williams, Ellen Ziffren, and Kathleen Lobb. The late Laura Ziskin and the late Noreen Fraser are also co-founders. Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, has served as SU2C’s president since 2011.
About PBS
PBS, with nearly 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 100 million people through television and nearly 28 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS’ premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV – including a new 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
About Genentech
Founded more than 40 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol-Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.
About Novartis
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2017, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.1 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 122,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.
Media Contacts:
PBS | Lubna Abuulbah | labuulbah@pbs.org | 703-739-8463
Stand Up To Cancer | Jane E. Rubinstein | jrubinstein@su2c.org | 646-386-7969
