Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Jaye Gardiner Receives Award for Outstanding Postdoc From the American Society for Cell Biology

Jaye Gardiner, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at Fox Chase Cancer Center, was recently awarded the Merton Bernfield Memorial Award from the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB), making her one of 18 scientists from across the country to be recognized for their achievements in the life sciences.

“I’m greatly honored to receive this award and to be in such distinguished company,” said Gardiner, who conducts her research in the lab of Edna “Eti” Cukierman, PhD, who is co-director of the Marvin and Concetta Greenberg Pancreatic Cancer Institute at Fox Chase.

Gardiner’s research focuses on the tumor microenvironment (TME), also known as desmoplasia, which consists of the cells in the immediate vicinity of cancer cells. Gardiner said the TME plays a key role in the growth of tumors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. It does this in part by maintaining an immunosuppressive environment that allows tumors to grow.

The Merton Bernfield Memorial Award was established to honor outstanding postdocs or graduate students with member donations in memory of pediatrician and cell biologist Merton Bernfield.

“ASCB honorific awards recognize individuals making important contributions to our community,” said ASCB CEO Rebecca Alvania. “The society honors those whose research significantly advances our understanding of the cell, whose dedication to cell biology education and mentoring prepares the next generation, whose commitment to public policy helps to advance biomedical research, and whose achievements in creating inclusive scientific cultures ensure ongoing progress in developing a more equitable and diverse community of cell biologists.”

ASCB will feature profiles of some of these award winners on its website in the coming months. ASCB will also mention winners throughout the 2022 Cell Bio meeting being held this December in Washington, and Gardiner will also deliver a talk at the meeting.

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Fox Chase Cancer Center (Fox Chase), which includes the Institute for Cancer Research and the American Oncologic Hospital and is a part of Temple Health, is one of the leading comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase is also one of just 10 members of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center’s nursing program has received the Magnet recognition for excellence five consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship, and community outreach. It is the policy of Fox Chase Cancer Center that there shall be no exclusion from, or participation in, and no one denied the benefits of, the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment.

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