5 Pew-Stewart Scholars Selected to Pursue Pioneering Cancer Research

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Alexander and Margaret Stewart Trust announced today the 2025 class of the Pew-Stewart Scholars Program for Cancer Research.

The five early-career scientists will each receive four-year grants to conduct innovative research projects spanning cancer development, diagnosis, and treatment. This is the 12th year the Alexander and Margaret Stewart Trust has partnered with Pew to support promising cancer researchers.

"Cancer continues to have a profound impact on the lives of so many, but scientific advancements hold hope for improving how we diagnose and treat the disease," said Donna Frisby-Greenwood, senior vice president for Philadelphia and scientific advancement at The Pew Charitable Trusts. "These researchers are primed to lead these discoveries, and Pew is honored to support their work."

This group of scientists will explore a range of pressing topics, including uncovering the mechanisms behind some of the most complex cancer types and exploring new drug targets and opportunities for more effective immunotherapies.

"Pew-Stewart scholars are leading transformative advances in cancer research, and these five outstanding investigators exemplify that spirit," said Helen Piwnica-Worms, Ph.D., chair of the Pew-Stewart program's national advisory committee. "We are proud to welcome them to the Pew-Stewart community and look forward to the impact their research will have on improving cancer treatment and patient outcomes."

The 2025 Pew-Stewart Scholars for Cancer Research are:

Iain Clark, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley
Dr. Clark will examine the genetic underpinnings of mixed phenotype acute leukemia, one of the most lethal and poorly understood forms of the disease.

Ryan Flynn, M.D., Ph.D.
Boston Children's Hospital
Dr. Flynn will study how molecules such as RNAs and the proteins they bind influence cellular processes in the context of human disease, and their potential as targets for new cancer therapies.

Javier Garcia-Bermudez, Ph.D.
Children's Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern
Dr. Garcia-Bermudez will explore how fats derived from dietary sources, primarily those from lipoproteins, promote tumor growth, metastasis, and therapy resistance.

Anna Nam, M.D.
Weill Cornell Medicine
Dr. Nam will investigate the genetic determinants that influence the clinical manifestations of Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, two types of blood cancer.

Bingfei Yu, Ph.D.
University of Southern California
Dr. Yu will examine how T cells are crucial in shaping the immune system to recognize and target threats to develop precision immunotherapies for cancer and other diseases.

Founded in 1948, The Pew Charitable Trusts uses data to make a difference. Pew addresses the challenges of a changing world by illuminating issues, creating common ground, and advancing ambitious projects that lead to tangible progress.

Erin Davis, 202-540-6677, [email protected]

SOURCE The Pew Charitable Trusts