To encourage support of the best and brightest physician-scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine, an anonymous donor has established a challenge grant to fund a scholar award. The grant will enable the creation of a $1 million naming opportunity of an Education Scholar Award (ESA) or Research Scholar Award (RSA) with a $750,000 gift.
Research Scholar Awards provide endowed funding to rising-star scientists at the forefront of breakthrough discoveries. One rising star who has benefited from an RSA is Dr. Daylon James, the Queenie Victorina Neri Research Scholar and director of the Reproductive Endocrinology Laboratory at the Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine.
Dr. James, a research scientist whose expertise spans regenerative and reproductive medicine, explains that a variety of new techniques now make it easier for women to become pregnant after being treated for cancer. Some of those techniques utilize regenerative cell-based therapy, adds Dr. James, who – in addition to his work in fertility preservation – leads research collaborations aimed at improving the health of patients who suffer from a wide range of cardiovascular diseases.
“Unfortunately, many successful cancer treatments can damage young women’s ovaries, putting them into early menopause and negatively affecting their fertility,” says Dr. James, an assistant professor of stem cell biology in reproductive medicine and obstetrics and gynecology, and an assistant professor of genetic medicine.
“Our focus is to provide and preserve reproductive options for these patients in order to boost their quality of life after the cure,” he says. In his multifaceted role, Dr. James also mentors clinical fellows in reproductive endocrinology in their basic research year at the Perelman-Cohen Center, led by Dr. Zev Rosenwaks, physician-in-chief of reproductive medicine and an overseer at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Named in memory of a beloved young scientist and research associate in reproductive medicine who exuded great enthusiasm, selflessness and dedication to scientific achievement, the Queenie Victorina Neri Research Scholar Award will have a lasting impact by supporting Dr. James’ continued work in fertility preservation, and for that he is extremely grateful.
“The idea touches my heart, that we are helping preserve a full life for women who have survived cancer,” Dr. James says