CURE Mentor Appreciation 2025
Published 11/19/2025
Many institutions, one commitment to mentorship: DF/HCC CURE celebrates mentors training the next generation
Across the many institutions of DF/HCC, CURE mentors turn nervous first days into confidence, community, and love for science.
Ask CURE trainees what they remember most and they won’t just recount a technique—they’ll describe a transformative experience made possible by dedicated mentors and volunteers.
On Friday, October 31, 2025, the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center’s CURE Program gathered students, mentors, and volunteers at its annual Mentor Appreciation event to celebrate those who turn curiosity into confidence and a lasting love for cancer-focused scientific research. Joined by Dr. Benjamin L. Ebert, President and CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Director of DF/HCC, and Richard and Susan Smith Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, CURE honored four mentors this year whose work exemplifies the impact of a shared training network across DF/HCC’s member institutions.
The expansive, cross-institutional network of DF/HCC provides CURE trainees with the unique opportunity to access the resources, research projects, and mentoring styles that best fit their interests. This year’s CURE Mentor Appreciation honorees show how the DF/HCC training network has continued to cultivate opportunity and scientific curiosity:
Dr. David A. Drew (MGH), Assistant Professor at the Mongan Institute, has mentored with CURE since 2018, welcoming first-time researchers into a lab culture grounded in curiosity and support. He encourages conference attendance and offers multi-year experiences that turn exposure into confidence. “My time in Dr. Drew’s lab was truly inspiring and deeply formative in shaping what I want to do with my future. It was my first research setting, and he and his team made me feel welcome from day one,” a student shared. “It truly had a lasting impact on my confidence as a scientist and my love for science.”
Dr. Zhenbo Tu (BIDMC), a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Antoine Karnoub’s lab, is known for mentorship that doesn’t end with the summer. He stays engaged during the academic year, continuing to mentor and train students eager to develop their research acumen. “He was always willing to help and guide me through anything,” a trainee said. “The lab itself was an amazing place to be and it honestly cemented my love for research.”
Dr. Elijah Mena’s (BWH) commitment to the next generation is not only at the bench, but also in facilitating journal club and building curriculum. A mentee shared, “What sets him apart is how he challenges you to think critically while also supporting your growth, making you feel capable of tackling complex problems. Working with him has inspired me to approach my future career in medicine with the same dedication, curiosity, and integrity he demonstrates every day.”
Dr. Philip A. Cole (BWH), Professor of Medicine and of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, has welcomed six CURE trainees since 2019 and regularly encourages his trainees to present at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Students (ABRCMS). “He made sure to not only confirm I met my goals as part of the CURE program, but also push me to understand and internalize every aspect of my research. Working with Dr. Cole was my first formal research experience, and I couldn’t think of a better person to have been my first PI,” a student said.
Together, these mentors demonstrate how DF/HCC member institutions can do more than share resources, highlighting the impact of a shared training culture where students feel welcome, capable, and energized to pursue cancer research careers.
To mentor with CURE and ensure a lasting impact, register here.