Kornelia Polyak, MD, PhD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, has been elected as a Member of The American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Polyak is a Professor of Medicine at Dana-Farber, Harvard Medical School, and a co-leader of the Dana-Farber Harvard Cancer Center Cancer Cell Biology Program. She is among the 250 members elected this year who are being recognized for their excellence and invited to uphold the Academy's mission of engaging across disciplines and divides. Polyak is one of the leading basic and translational scientists in breast cancer research. She has been and continues to be a pioneer in the study of tumors as an ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of the tumor microenvironment in disease progression and therapeutic resistance.
Polyak's current research continues to focus on breast tumor evolution through the analysis of patient tissue samples and experimental preclinical models. Moreover, she is actively studying the role of risk factors, such as genetic predisposition, age, and diet in cancer initiation and progression in an effort to design novel approaches for cancer prevention.
Founded in 1780 in the midst of revolution - by John Adams, John Hancock, and others - the Academy's membership and work have changed greatly over the centuries while remaining faithful to a charter founded on ideals that celebrate the life of the mind, the importance of knowledge, and the belief that the arts and sciences are "necessary to the interest, honor, dignity and happiness of a free, independent and virtuous people."
"We honor these artists, scholars, scientists, and leaders in the public, non-profit, and private sectors for their accomplishments and for the curiosity, creativity, and courage required to reach new heights," said David Oxtoby, President of the Academy. "We invite these exceptional individuals to join in the Academy's work to address serious challenges and advance the common good."
Induction ceremonies for new members will take place in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in September, 2024.
