VISION 2.0: Funding women-led research to accelerate the discovery and development of breakthrough therapies and treatments that bring us closer to a world without cancer
At Impact Cancer Foundation 2.0 our mission is to accelerate transformative progress in cancer research by empowering the next generation of scientific leaders, particularly women, through targeted funding, mentorship, and opportunity. We are committed to advancing pioneering research that has the potential to change lives, while addressing the long-standing inequities that continue to limit access, visibility, and leadership for women in science. We believe that science thrives when diverse voices are supported and heard. By investing in high-impact projects and providing a robust support system for doctoral candidates and early-career researchers, we aim to create a sustainable ecosystem of innovation that drives measurable progress in cancer prevention, treatment, and care, while ensuring that no promising idea or potential leader is left behind.
TWO NEW INITIATIVES
1
CANCER RESEARCH FUND FOR WOMEN SCIENTISTS
Focusing on getting funding to key cancer research programs
2
PARTNERS FOR SUCCESS WOMEN FELLOWSHIP & MENTORS
Creating a women's fellowship program for MD/ PhD Post Doc
OUR MISSION
We have identified two outstanding researchers whose work we are proud to support, and we are pleased to introduce them.
ELISA ORICCHIO, PhD
Director of the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), EPFL
Co-director of the Swiss Cancer Center Leman
Associate Professor of Life Sciences, EPFL
Board Member of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)
IMPACT
Predicting response to oncological therapies has the potential to transform the management of oncological patients. In particular, using this system, we will spare patients from unnecessary treatments. Oncology drugs, including chemotherapy, can lead to significant side effects. Therefore, sparing patients from treatments that may not benefit them is an ethical imperative (“do no harm”).
Moreover, many patients benefit from detailed molecular testing, and our system can capture tumor biomarkers that cannot be inferred from routine analyses.
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RESEARCH QUESTIONS
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Can patient avatar models accurately predict which therapies will work best for individual cancer patients?
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How can tumor fragments from aggressive cancers be tested simultaneously with multiple treatments to identify the most effective option?
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What predictive markers can advanced imaging reveal to help classify cancer patients into treatment groups?
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How can AI-powered analysis of patient avatars transform personalized cancer treatment decisions?
​MILESTONES
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Analyzed at least 60 samples per year
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Perform cutting-edge molecular analyses in the most appropriate cases
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Develop a web service for seamless integration of experimental and clinical data and potential use for training AI algorithms.
Click the button below to learn more about Prof. Oriccio’s current lab work, her biography, key achievements, and to watch her talk from the August 2025 launch event about the project we’re supporting.
CATHRIN BRISKEN, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Life Science, EPFL
Director of Brisken Laboratory, EPFL
Team-head at the Institute of Cancer Research London
Memmber of the International Breast Cancer Study Group
Previous Director and Dean of EPFL Doctoral School
IMPACT
Progestins, that is, synthetic progesterone-like substances, are widely administered to girls and women of reproductive age for contraception and to ease symptoms of menopause. How these exposures affect the breast is poorly understood. The present study aims to reveal how the body’s own, “natural” progesterone and several widely used exogenous progestins act on the normal human breast epithelium and breast cancer precursor lesions, both in the context of premenopausal and postmenopausal hormone levels. The insights we gain will enable more informed approaches to women’s health issues and pave the way for new cancer prevention strategies.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
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How do hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy increase breast cancer risk in women?
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What are the distinct effects of natural progesterone versus synthetic progestins on normal breast tissue?
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Can we identify which hormone-like substances pose the greatest risk to breast health and early cancer development?
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How can humanized models help us develop safer hormonal therapies that prevent the million excess breast cancer cases linked to HRT?
MILESTONES
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Track how hormones affect normal breast cells using tissue from 8 donors, with special markers that let researchers follow cell growth in mice
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Study how breast cells grow and behave by transplanting marked human cells into mice to create a reliable testing system
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Test findings in real cancer samples using 8 patient breast tumors to develop new treatments that could help patients
Click the button below to learn more about Prof. Briskin’s current lab work, her biography, key achievements, and to watch her talk from the August 2025 launch event about the project we’re supporting.
WOMEN FELLOWSHIP & MENTORS PROGRAM
The PROGRAM is a dedicated initiative designed to support MD/PhD postdoctoral researchers at a pivotal moment in their careers. Through individual fellowship awards and connection to our network of Women in Science (WIS) mentors, we provide emerging leaders with both the resources and guidance needed to pursue groundbreaking cancer research. This program directly addresses the critical gap in support for women scientists during the postdoctoral phase, when many face barriers to advancement despite their potential for transformative discoveries.
FELLOWSHIP GOALS
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Establish individual fellowship awards for emerging researchers
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Strategic partnerships with leading institutions: EPFL, UNIL & UNIGE
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One-on-one mentorship from Women in Science leaders
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Fund 3-4 Fellowship Applicants annually (CHF 5,000-7,000 per student)
