Introducing Dr. Alicia Zhou: A New Chapter in Leadership at the Cancer Research Institute

The Cancer Research Institute (CRI) is excited to announce a transformative moment in its history with the appointment of Alicia Zhou, Ph.D., as its Chief Executive Officer, effective August 26, 2024. 

Dr. Zhou steps into the CEO role following the tenure of Jill O’Donnell-Tormey, Ph.D., who led CRI with distinction since 1993. Dr. O’Donnell-Tormey’s leadership profoundly shaped the field of cancer immunotherapy, and CRI is eager to welcome Dr. Zhou as she steers the organization into a bold new era.

A Visionary Leader for a New Era

Dr. Zhou’s appointment heralds the beginning of an exciting chapter for CRI—one that honors the institute’s legacy while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cancer treatment. Her academic credentials are exceptional: a Ph.D. in Biological and Biomedical Sciences from Harvard Medical School, where she focused on the biological origins of cancer, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco, where she advanced cancer therapeutics through data-driven research. 

In her most recent role as Chief Science Officer at Color Health Inc., Dr. Zhou led groundbreaking initiatives that brought together academic institutions and industry leaders to ensure equitable access to cancer prevention and treatment.

Dr. Zhou’s leadership at Color Health was defined by the creation of large-scale research collaborations with prestigious organizations like the American Cancer Society and the National Institutes of Health. Her deep expertise and relentless passion for translating scientific innovation into real-world outcomes for cancer patients make her the ideal leader to guide CRI.

CRI’s Board of Trustees, with the help of NU Advisory Partners, led a sustained and comprehensive search to identify the organization’s new CEO. “With a career grounded in public health initiatives, cancer biology research, and organizational leadership, we are confident that under Dr. Zhou’s guidance, CRI will continue to revolutionize cancer treatment by continuing to push new boundaries in cancer immunotherapy,” said Paul C. Shiverick and Andrew K. Tsai, CRI Co-Chairmen of the Board. “Dr. Zhou’s dedication to advancing the frontiers of cancer biology aligns perfectly with CRI’s strategic focus on leveraging bioinformatics, machine learning, and AI to enhance cancer immunology research. We are looking forward to CRI enhancing its reach and impact to propel innovations in cancer care under her leadership.”

Building on a Legacy of Scientific Discovery

Since its founding in 1953, CRI has been at the forefront of the fight against cancer, driven by a mission to save lives through the discovery and development of powerful immunotherapies for all cancers. Our efforts are guided by our prestigious Scientific Advisory Council, led by 2018 Nobel laureate James P. Allison, Ph.D., and composed of 35 members of the National Academy of Sciences—some of the brightest minds forging the future of cancer treatment. Through an unwavering commitment to collaboration, innovation, and scientific excellence, CRI has reshaped the landscape of modern cancer treatment.

• CRI has invested over half-a-billion dollars to create the field of cancer immunology and advance scientific discovery.
• Today, 45% of newly diagnosed cancer patients – roughly 9 million people – are now eligible for immunotherapy treatment, globally.
• There are 29 cancers that are now treatable with immunotherapy.
• CRI operates with trust and transparency, consistently receiving exemplary marks from watchdog groups, including an A Rating from CharityWatch, Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, and Four Stars from Charity Navigator. CRI is also a proud member of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, meeting all 20 standards of charity accountability.

This success was driven under Dr. O’Donnell-Tormey’s leadership. After joining CRI in 1987 as Director of Public Information, she advanced to Director of Scientific Affairs in 1992 and became CEO in 1993, shaping the organization’s trajectory and mission.

During her tenure, CRI’s research support grew from a single postdoctoral fellowship program to seven programs—Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowships, Immuno-Informatics Fellowships, Clinic and Laboratory Integration Program, Lloyd J. Old STARs, Technology Impact Award, Anna Maria KellenClinical Accelerator and Venture Fund, and the Clinical Innovator—that support the entire continuum of discovery from basic and translational research to clinical trials. Additionally, CRI’s operating budget increased tenfold from $3 million to $32 million and total assets increased from $2.3 million to $131 million during the 31 years she served as CEO.

Reflecting on her tenure, which included working closely with her mentor Dr. Lloyd J. Old, CRI’s first Scientific Director, Dr. O’Donnell-Tormey remarked, “I am filled with deep gratitude for the incredible journey we’ve embarked on together at the Cancer Research Institute. It has been an honor to contribute to the groundbreaking work of CRI. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved, and I am confident that under new leadership, CRI will continue to flourish, paving the way for even greater advancements in cancer immunotherapy.” Dr. O’Donnell-Tormey will continue to serve the organization as a senior advisor, ensuring a successful leadership transition.

Looking Ahead: A Bold Vision for the Future Patient Care

Dr. Alicia Zhou’s vision for CRI is centered on patients, with a bold and transformative strategy to accelerate the development of life-saving treatments. Her leadership focuses on advancing breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy, fostering global collaboration, and ensuring the most innovative research reaches those who need it most—all cancer patients.

Her visionary leadership aligns seamlessly with CRI’s groundbreaking People x Biology x Data approach. Together, they form a powerful framework for advancing cancer immunotherapy by integrating human expertise, biological innovation, and data-driven insights. 

People x Biology x Data is an innovative strategy that combines human expertise, cutting-edge biological research, and advanced data science to revolutionize cancer treatment. The People component focuses on fostering collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and patients, ensuring that insights from the field guide research priorities. The Biology aspect emphasizes deepening our understanding of the immune system’s role in fighting cancer, driving breakthroughs in immunotherapy. Finally, Data leverages advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI to interpret vast datasets, accelerating the discovery of new treatments and improving patient outcomes. Under Dr. Zhou’s leadership, CRI aims to push the boundaries of cancer care by uniting these three pillars for maximum impact. CRI-funded scientists will harness human insight, cutting-edge biology, and advanced data science to drive breakthroughs and transform cancer treatment for patients.

Under Dr. Zhou’s guidance, CRI is uniquely positioned to revolutionize cancer care, harnessing the immune system’s power and advanced data-driven insights to develop therapies that don’t just manage cancer, but aim to cure it. Her patient-first approach is accelerating the pace at which treatments are delivered, giving hope to millions worldwide.

As CRI embarks on this new journey, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to saving lives through groundbreaking research. Join us in welcoming Dr. Zhou and supporting CRI’s mission to bring transformative therapies to patients everywhere. Together, we’re creating a world immune to cancer.