Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), has been selected as a Temple University Gallery of Success honoree for 2021. Each year, Temple University showcases exceptional alumni from its 17 schools and colleges in its Gallery of Success, both online and on campus. Dr. Foti earned her bachelor’s degree from Temple University and her master’s and doctoral degrees from Temple’s Klein College of Media and Communication.
After beginning her AACR career in an editorial position with the journal Cancer Research, Dr. Foti progressed through several key editorial and management roles in scientific publishing to become CEO. Under her leadership, AACR membership has grown from 3,000 members to more than 48,000 in 127 countries and territories, and the AACR’s portfolio of peer-reviewed scientific journals has increased from 1 to 10, including the recently announced open-access journal Cancer Research Communications. She has also launched two other AACR publications: Cancer Today, a magazine for patients with cancer, survivors, and their caregivers; and Leading Discoveries, a publication that highlights the research of AACR members as well as the AACR’s scientific programs and philanthropic initiatives.
Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc)
In addition, Dr. Foti’s leadership was instrumental in the production of two landmark annual reports: the AACR Cancer Progress Report and the inaugural AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report, published in 2020. These reports highlight the critical need for increased annual federal funding for government entities fueling the progress against cancer. Under her guidance, the AACR has also served with distinction as the Scientific Partner of Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C). In this capacity, Dr. Foti and the AACR staff have brought significant expertise to their work with SU2C, especially in the scientific peer review of projects, scientific project management, grants administration, communications, and science policy.
Worldwide Influence
Dr. Foti is one of the most influential voices in advancing the field of cancer research, both in the United States and abroad. She was elected president of three professional societies in scholarly publishing and in cancer research. She has also served as a board member, committee member, and consultant to a number of other nonprofit organizations. Her legacy includes a generation of young women, minority scientists, and investigators-in-training whose careers have been advanced as a result of her mentorship and support. Further, throughout her long and distinguished career, her commitment to AACR to accelerate advances against cancer through cutting-edge cancer research and improved patient care has saved many lives.
In 2007, the AACR established the Margaret Foti Award for Leadership and Extraordinary Achievements in Cancer Research, which is given annually. Dr. Foti’s visionary leadership, combined with her steadfast focus on AACR’s mission, continues to drive the field toward the goal of preventing and curing all cancers.
