Yale Cancer Center leadership has selected Seth Herzon, PhD, Milton Harris ’29 Ph.D. Professor of Chemistry, and Smita Krishnaswamy, PhD, Associate Professor of Genetics and of Computer Science, as recipients of the 2024 Class of ‘61 Cancer Research Awards. The annual awards recognize significant accomplishments in cancer research at Yale Cancer Center by young members of the faculty, coupled with the expectation for future outstanding contributions to our understanding of the causes and cures for cancer.
In their nomination letters, Dr. Herzon was cited as an engaging and enthusiastic research partner, and a key contributor to the missions of Yale Cancer Center, and Dr. Krishnaswamy as having demonstrated significant accomplishments in the field of data science and being poised for future outstanding contributions to the understanding of cancer biology.
Dr. Herzon received his PhD from Harvard University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Illinois. His research focuses broadly on organic synthesis with an emphasis on determining the molecular mechanisms of action of small molecules that damage DNA. Dr. Herzon's laboratory elucidated the structure and function of colibactin, a small molecule produced by the gut microbiome that induces colorectal cancer formation. More recently, in collaboration with Dr. Ranjit Bindra, he discovered a novel class of compounds for the treatment of incurable, drug-resistant brain cancers. This science led to the founding of Modifi Biosciences (2021), which was recently acquired by Merck & Co., Inc.
Dr. Krishnaswamy received a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on mathematically principled deep learning computational methods to gain insight into cancer cells, their tissue organization, and dynamics with and without drug treatments. Currently, she studies several cancer systems including breast cancer, colon cancer, and pancreatic cancer, with a focus on developing methods that can map the state of the cells in cancer and then learn cellular dynamics that lead to progression and treatment resistance.
The Class of ’61 Cancer Research Awards are supported through the Yale Class of 1961 Cancer Center Endowment, which was established in 2016 by the Yale College class. The endowment has honored one or more Yale Cancer Center faculty members each year since its inception with a grant to support their highly promising cancer research.