Cold Spring Harbor, NY — On September 17, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) held the 16th annual Women’s Partnership for Science luncheon, a summer staple among New York’s female philanthropists who support biomedical research. Since 2002, the event has raised nearly $2 million for pioneering research on the genetic causes of cancer and neuropsychiatric disorders as well as innovative genetic education programs.
Guest speaker Sarah Diermeier, Ph.D., breast cancer researcher and CSHL Senior Fellow, gave a presentation on “Attacking Metastatic Breast Cancer with Dark Matter.” In it, Diermeier described how, “everything that’s in the clinic right now is focused on this one-third of genes that makes proteins,” while the other two-thirds of genes are little understood, like dark matter. By investigating this genetic “dark matter” in the lab of Professor and Director of Research David Spector, she has helped to uncover a potential drug for metastatic breast cancer.
Presentation given by CSHL Senior Fellow Sarah Diermeier at the 16th Women’s Partnership for Science Luncheon
This year’s luncheon also included a special honor for longtime Laboratory supporter and honorary director of the CSHL Association Freddie Staller. She and her husband Erwin have been avid supporters of the laboratory since 1990, attending numerous Double Helix Medals Dinners during that time. In addition to supporting CSHL, Staller serves on the boards of the Family Service League and the Long Island Community Foundation.
CSHL President and CEO Bruce Stillman, Ph.D., expressed his appreciation for Staller’s generous and diverse contributions to the Long Island community. “Freddie brings a lot of enthusiasm in everything she commits to helping, all of the organizations she supports, including the Laboratory. She’s an amazing, amazing person.”
The event, which drew 250 attendees from the New York metropolitan area, was co-chaired by Elizabeth Ainslie, Barbara Amonson, Lori Bahnik, Michele Celestino, Susan Cohen, Janet DellaFera, Diane Fagiola, Carolyn Gero, Kimberly Griffiths-Broder , Virginia Knott, Anita Lamb (Jefferson Family Charitable Foundation), Amanda Lister, Smadar Maduel-Chaluts, Stand Up For Suzanne, Mickie Nagel, Jamie C. Nicholls, Kristin Olson, Pat Petersen, Daniel Gale, Whitney Posillico, Lonnie Shoff , Dr. Marilyn Simons, Freddie Staller, Cynthia Stebbins, Mary Striano, Marjorie van de Stouwe, M.D., and Heather Warren-Whitman.
Banfi Vintners, longstanding supporters of the Women’s Partnership for Science, generously donated the wines for the annual luncheon.
(l-r) CSHL senior fellow Sarah Diermeier, CSHL President & CEO Bruce Stillman, Women’s Partnership for Science Luncheon honoree and honorary director of the CSHL Association Freddie Staller
Written by: Andrea Alfano, Content Developer/Communicator | publicaffairs@cshl.edu | 516-367-8455