In a remarkable recognition of emerging scientific talent within the biomedical sciences, two distinguished members of Weill Cornell Medicine have been honored as part of the prestigious 2025 class of Pew scholars and fellows. Dr. Anna Nam, an assistant professor specializing in pathology and laboratory medicine, was awarded the coveted Pew-Stewart Scholar for Cancer Research distinction. At the same time, Dr. Maria Cecilia Lira, a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Claire Vanpouille-Box’s laboratory, was selected as a Pew Latin American Fellow in the Biomedical Sciences. These accolades signify not only the outstanding contributions of both researchers but also the promise their work holds in advancing the frontiers of cancer research and biomedical innovation.
The Pew-Stewart Scholar program, now in its twelfth iteration, is a landmark initiative jointly supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Alexander and Margaret Stewart Trust. It awards a generous four-year, $300,000 grant to early-career scientists who demonstrate transformative potential in cancer research. Dr. Nam’s selection into this elite cohort underscores the significance of her studies aimed at unraveling the complex molecular mechanisms that govern cancer heterogeneity, particularly within lymphoid malignancies.
Dr. Nam’s research is centered on decoding the genetic and cellular foundations that contribute to the distinctive clinical manifestations of Hodgkin lymphoma compared to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, two biologically and pathologically distinct entities within hematologic cancers. Despite sharing overlapping mutational drivers, these lymphomas diverge dramatically in their tumor microenvironment interactions, immune evasion strategies, and clinical outcomes. Her investigations probe the intriguing phenomenon of B-cell–derived lymphoma cells acquiring neural cell-like features through a process termed “neural reprogramming,” hypothesized to offer these malignant cells a survival and proliferative advantage within the tumor niche.
This neural phenotypic plasticity observed in Hodgkin lymphoma cells represents a novel paradigm in cancer biology. Dr. Nam’s work not only aims to elucidate the molecular circuitry that facilitates this cellular identity shift but also seeks to map the downstream functional consequences that contribute to tumor ecosystem control. The insights garnered could pave the way for innovative therapeutic modalities that target these aberrant signaling pathways, potentially revolutionizing treatment strategies for patients afflicted with Hodgkin lymphoma.
Complementing these efforts, Dr. Maria Cecilia Lira’s research delves into the adaptive resistance mechanisms in glioblastomas, which are highly aggressive brain tumors notoriously refractory to standard therapies. Supported through the Pew Latin American Fellowship—a program designed to bolster the careers of promising researchers from Latin America by funding postdoctoral training in the United States—Dr. Lira’s work integrates cutting-edge molecular biology with translational oncology.
Her projects focus on the synergistic use of radiation therapy combined with immune checkpoint blockade and metabolic inhibition, specifically targeting fatty acid synthesis pathways upon which glioblastomas depend for sustained growth and proliferation. By manipulating these interdependent therapeutic axes, Dr. Lira aims to overcome tumor resistance and enhance treatment efficacy. Importantly, her investigative pathway has already yielded a preliminary patent, illustrating the transformative potential of her research to generate novel clinical applications.
Dr. Lira’s scientific odyssey began in Argentina, where she earned her doctorate in biological sciences from the University of Buenos Aires. Her subsequent move to Weill Cornell Medicine positions her at the vanguard of neuro-oncology research, with mentorship from Dr. Claire Vanpouille-Box fostering an environment ripe for independent investigation. This collaborative and nurturing mentorship model exemplifies how structured yet flexible guidance can accelerate the maturation of emerging scientists into independent principal investigators—a long-term aspiration that Dr. Lira passionately hopes to realize by returning to Argentina to establish her own research laboratory.
Both Dr. Nam and Dr. Lira exemplify how targeted funding programs like the Pew-Stewart Scholars and Pew Latin American Fellows can catalyze novel discoveries by bridging early-career scientific exploration with global collaborative networks. Dr. Nam’s exploration of lymphoma neurobiology enriches the understanding of tumor microenvironment adaptability, while Dr. Lira’s multifaceted approach to glioblastoma therapeutics charts new paths for tackling one of the most lethal cancers known.
The implications of these pioneering projects are vast, offering fresh mechanistic insights into cancer biology and translating into potentially life-saving therapies. These awards not only affirm the high caliber of research conducted at Weill Cornell Medicine but also emphasize the importance of nurturing diverse scientific talent across borders and disciplines.
As cancer research continues to evolve, the integration of multidisciplinary approaches—ranging from genetic and epigenetic analyses to immune modulation and metabolic targeting—will be paramount. The work undertaken by Dr. Nam and Dr. Lira signifies how focusing on tumor plasticity and treatment resistance can unlock key vulnerabilities that have hitherto eluded effective clinical intervention.
The Pew fellowships provide essential resources and recognition, enabling these investigators to expand their research endeavors, establish robust laboratories, and attract the attention of the global scientific community. Looking ahead, the breakthroughs stemming from their studies are poised to redefine therapeutic landscapes for Hodgkin lymphoma and glioblastoma, offering renewed hope for patients worldwide.
Through rigorous investigation and innovative thinking, Dr. Nam and Dr. Lira set a sterling example of how early-career researchers can drive transformational change in oncology. Their stories illustrate the critical role of mentorship, funding, and intellectual curiosity in sustaining a vibrant scientific ecosystem capable of confronting the most challenging biomedical puzzles.
Ultimately, these developments highlight a broader narrative within modern cancer research: that interconnecting fundamental molecular insights with translational applications, supported by international collaboration and visionary funding programs, is indispensable to overcoming cancer’s intricate biology and improving patient outcomes globally.
Subject of Research: Cancer biology focusing on Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma; glioblastoma resistance mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.
Article Title: Weill Cornell’s Dr. Anna Nam and Dr. Maria Cecilia Lira Honored with 2025 Pew Fellowships for Transformative Cancer Research
News Publication Date: 2024
Web References:
- Dr. Anna Nam profile: https://weillcornell.org/seung-nam-md
- Dr. Maria Cecilia Lira profile: https://vivo.weill.cornell.edu/display/cwid-mcl4004
Image Credits: Weill Cornell Medicine
Keywords: Cancer research, Cancer treatments, Cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Glioblastoma, Tumor microenvironment, Neural reprogramming, Immune checkpoint inhibitors, Fatty acid synthesis inhibition, Early career scientists, Pew-Stewart Scholars
