Jaye Gardiner, PhD
Camille Ragin, PhD, MPH
Jaye Gardiner, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, is among 10 recipients of the 2022 Dr. Eddie Méndez Award. This honor recognizes underrepresented postdoctoral researchers across the United States who have demonstrated research expertise in cancer, infectious disease, and basic science.
“I’m honored to receive this very special award,” said Dr. Gardiner, who conducts her research in the lab of Edna “Eti” Cukierman, PhD, Co-Director of the Marvin and Concetta Greenberg Pancreatic Cancer Institute at Fox Chase. Dr. Gardiner’s research focuses on the tumor microenvironment. Dr. Gardiner said the tumor microenvironment plays a key role in the growth of tumors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
“I would like to express my heartiest congratulations to Jaye,” said Camille Ragin, PhD, MPH, Associate Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Professor in the Cancer Prevention and Control research program at Fox Chase. “I am proud of what she has achieved in her science as well as in her DEI efforts. Fox Chase is home to some of the best and brightest junior investigators. Jaye’s success is a testament to that. We wish the very best for her as she continues to excel in her field.”
Scientific and DEI Achievements
“We are proud of this year’s awardees, whose accomplishments to both science and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are truly outstanding. We look forward to welcoming them to the Hutch this September and honoring the memory of Dr. Méndez,” said Christopher Li, MD, PhD, Faculty Director of the Office of DEI and Associate Director of DEI for the Fred Hutch/University of Washington Cancer Consortium. Eddie Méndez, MD, MS, who was born in Puerto Rico, was a physician-researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, which bestows the award. Dr. Méndez died of cancer in 2018 at the age of 45.
Christopher Li, MD, PhD
Eddie Méndez, MD, MS
Now in its fourth year, the award previously recognized 28 recipients, with 10 more added this year. Applications were solicited from universities and cancer research centers across the United States. The award includes an honorarium for the recipients, who will be honored at a September symposium, where they will give presentations on their research findings and network with other scientists.
