We Take Cancer Personally
Our mission is to see a world free of the devastating effects of BRCA-related cancers.
Innovative Research
By advancing genetics research, carriers of BRCA mutations can live longer, healthier lives. The Basser Center continues to establish a far-reaching network of scientists, geneticists, and physicians dedicated to successfully treating BRCA-related cancers, and preventing them altogether.
Education and Genetic Counseling
The Basser Center is a place where families can turn for education and genetic counseling. We are a leader in raising awareness, which is currently the most effective way to save lives and provide options to those affected by a BRCA mutation.
Generous Support
The Basser Center for BRCA was established at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center in 2012 by Penn alumni Mindy and Jon Gray, whose total giving to the center is $110 million. Their visionary gift grows stronger every day through the commitment of our generous donors and philanthropic partners.
Our Team
Led by Executive Director Susan Domchek, MD, the Basser Center for BRCA at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center is home to researchers, physicians and genetic counselors who are leaders in the field of hereditary cancers. Dedicated to eradicating BRCA-related cancers, the Basser Center builds upon the strengths of the Abramson Cancer Center’s formidable cancer genetics, vaccine research, and oncology programs.
Basser Center Leadership
- Susan Domchek, MD
Executive Director - Ronny Drapkin, MD, PhD
Director of Gynecologic Cancer Research - Roger Greenberg, MD, PhD
Director of Basic Science - Katherine L. Nathanson, MD
Director of Genetics - Heather Symecko, MPH
Executive Director of Administration
Internal Advisory Board
- Chair
- Glen Gaulton, PhD
Vice Dean and Director, Center for Global Health - Robert Vonderheide, MD, DPhil
Director, Abramson Cancer Center - Alison Loren, MD, MSCE
Chief of Division of Hematology Oncology - Elizabeth Howell, MD, MPP
Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Jonathan Epstein, MD
Executive Vice Dean and Chief Scientific Officer of the Perelman School of Medicine
External Advisory Board
- Chair
- Allison Kurian, MD, MSc
Professor of Medicine and of Epidemiology and Population Health at Stanford University - Alan Ashworth, PhD
Director of UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center - Olivera J. Finn, PhD
Distinguished Professor at University of Pittsburgh, Departments of Immunology and Surgery - Judy Garber, MD, MPH
Director of Center for Cancer Genetics and Prevention at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute - Andrew Godwin, PhD
Deputy Director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center - John Petrini, PhD
Chair of the Molecular Biology Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Institute
Clinical Staff
- Angela Bradbury, MD
Medical Oncologist - Bryson Katona, MD, PhD
Gastroenterologist - Daniel Lee, MD, MS
Urologist - Kara Maxwell, MD, PhD
Medical Oncologist - Vivek Narayan, MD, MS
Medical Oncologist - Kim Reiss-Binder, MD
Medical Oncologist - Mersedeh Rohanizadegan, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Medical Genetics - Payal Shah, MD
Medical Oncologist
- Avi Anantharajah, MS, LCGC
Genetic Counselor II - Jackie Cappadocia, MS, LCGC
Genetic Counselor - Jessica Ebrahimzadeh, MS, LCGC
Genetic Counselor III - Marlene Edmonds, MS, LCGC
Genetic Counselor II - Dana Farengo Clark, MS, LCGC
Genetic Counselor III - Mosetta Harris, MSN, CRNP
Oncology Nurse Practitioner - Jessica Long, MS, LCGC
Genetic Counselor III - Derek Mann, MS, LCGC
Genetic Counselor II - Joanna Mercado, MS, LCGC
Genetic Counselor II - Kimberly Molinari, CRNP, MSN
Oncology Nurse Practitioner - Jacquelyn Powers, MS, LCGC
Associate Director of Genetic Counseling - Kelsey Spielman, MS, LCGC
Genetic Counselor II
Administrative Staff
- Lauren Cuff
Genetic Counseling Assistant - Jamie Brower
Associate Director of Clinical Research - Hannah Bush
Clinical Research Coordinator - Sabrina Davila
Patient Services Associate - Sydney Drumheller
Clinical Research Coordinator - Jelisa Johnson
Clinical Research Assistant - Rhonda Kitlas Gillette
Research Project Manager - Carleigh Keegan
Genetic Counseling Assistant - Patricia Lafferty
Program Coordinator - Caitlin Orr
Clinical Research Coordinator - Erica Petrone
Sr. Digital Content Coordinator - Samantha Pipito
Genetic Counseling Assistant - Veronica Rodriguez
Outreach Coordinator - Maliha Tayeb
Clinical Research Coordinator - Catherine Wolfe
Clinical Research Coordinator
Development Staff
- Laura Rostock
Executive Director of Development - Carolyn Brown
Sr. Associate Director of Development & Community Engagement - Dorothy Mejia-Smith
Sr. Associate Director of Development & Communications - Karleigh Rose Pettit
Director of Development - Brian Schwabenland
Associate Director of Development
Over a Decade of Progress: Hope for Generations to Come
We’re proud to share Basser's latest progress report, which shares the ways that over 10 years of science, education, and community have dramatically changed the future for BRCA mutation carriers and their families.