Turning Bold Ideas into the
Next Breakthrough
Advances in breast cancer begin with bold ideas, but new concepts are often the hardest to fund. Lynn Sage invests in high-potential research to generate the early results investigators need to secure larger grants and bring new discoveries closer to patients.
WHAT we fund
Investing in the Next Breakthrough
We support innovative research with the potential to significantly advance breast cancer science, even before traditional funding is available.
This includes research that:
- Deepens our understanding of breast cancer biology
- Identifies new targets for treatment
- Advances early detection and diagnostic technologies
- Develops more precise and personalized therapies
- Improves outcomes for patients
By funding these promising ideas early, Lynn Sage helps accelerate discoveries that have the power to shape the future of breast cancer care.
OUR IMPACT
Where Investment Becomes Impact
Millions
Have benefited from Tamoxifen, pioneered by a former Lynn Sage Scholar
$50+MM
Raised in innovative research with lasting impact
20+
Research grants awarded since 2020
Who we fund
Two Types of Lynn Sage Scholar Research Grants
Lynn Sage invests in both emerging and established investigators who are pushing breast cancer science into new territory.
Early Investigator
Researchers within the first six years of their independent careers. These grants provide critical seed funding that helps the next generation of scientists launch their research programs, pursue new ideas, and build toward lasting impact.
Senior Investigator
Seasoned researchers exploring bold new ideas or directions in breast cancer research. These grants help experienced scientists test innovative concepts that may be too early for federal or commercial funding but hold significant potential.
Together, these programs give researchers the support they need to pursue discoveries that could transform breast cancer care.
Senior Investigators
Current
Senior Investigator
Dezheng Huo, PhD
Using Artificial Intelligence to Integrate Imaging and Genetic Markers for Personalized Breast Cancer Risk Prediction
Current
Senior Investigator
Seema Khan, MD
Optimizing Family Planning for Young Women at High Risk of Breast Cancer
Current
Senior Investigator
Amanda L. Marzo, PhD
Reversing Resistance to Anti-Pd1 Therapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Current
Senior Investigator
Bin Zhang, MD, PhD
Targeting Tumor-Promoting Neutrophils in TNBC
Our previous hospital partner and where our research grant recipient works.
Past
Senior Investigator
Deyu Fang, PhD
A Novel Deubiquitinase in Breast Cancer Tumorigenesis and Therapeutic Targeting
Past
Senior Investigator
Ann Marie Flores, PT, PhD
A Pilot Test of the Breast Cancer Pre-habilitation and Prospective Surveillance to Prevent, Detect, and Optimize Physical and Functional Recovery (B-PREPeD)
Past
Senior Investigator
Dr. Jun Huang
Developing a Combinatorial mRNA Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer
Past
Senior Investigator
Lisa Stempel, MD
Automated Methods for Continuously Measuring Cancer Detection Rates for Breast Cancer Supplemental Screening Modalities and Risk-Based Populations
Current
Senior Investigator
Dezheng Huo, PhD
Using Artificial Intelligence to Integrate Imaging and Genetic Markers for Personalized Breast Cancer Risk Prediction
Current
Senior Investigator
Seema Khan, MD
Optimizing Family Planning for Young Women at High Risk of Breast Cancer
Current
Senior Investigator
Amanda L. Marzo, PhD
Reversing Resistance to Anti-Pd1 Therapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Current
Senior Investigator
Bin Zhang, MD, PhD
Targeting Tumor-Promoting Neutrophils in TNBC
Past
Senior Investigator
Deyu Fang, PhD
A Novel Deubiquitinase in Breast Cancer Tumorigenesis and Therapeutic Targeting
Past
Senior Investigator
Ann Marie Flores, PT, PhD
A Pilot Test of the Breast Cancer Pre-habilitation and Prospective Surveillance to Prevent, Detect, and Optimize Physical and Functional Recovery (B-PREPeD)
Past
Senior Investigator
Dr. Jun Huang
Developing a Combinatorial mRNA Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer
Early Investigators
Current
Early Investigator
Lamiaa El-Shennawy, PhD
Uptake of Tumor Extracellular Vesicles for Immune Regulation in TNBC
Current
Early Investigator
Frederick Howard, MD
Predicting Breast Cancer Recurrence in the Chicagoland Area Using Artificial Intelligence
Current
Early Investigator
Jeffrey Schneider, PhD
Breaking Barriers in Breast Cancer Therapy Through Individualized Immune Profiling
Past
Early Investigator
Nan Chen, MD
Discovering Novel Biomarkers of Therapy Response and Resistance in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients
Past
Early Investigator
Peiwen Chen, PhD
Targeting Macrophage Reprogramming in Brain Metastatic Breast Cancer
Past
Early Investigator
Chonghui Cheng, MD, PhD
Alternative Splicing and Breast Cancer Metastasis
Past
Early Investigator
Nurmaa K. Dashzeveg, PhD
Targeting Chemotherapy Associated CTC Clusters in Breast Cancer Metastasis
Past
Early Investigator
Dai Horiuchi, PhD
Investigating Novel Immuno-oncology Targets in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
Past
Early Investigator
Zhe Ji, PhD
Characterizing the Gene Regulatory Landscape Mediating Breast Cancer Metastasis
Past
Early Investigator
Marc Mendillo, PhD
Effect of the Cellular Stress Response Network in Sculpting the Therapeutic Response Landscape in Human Breast Cancers
Past
Early Investigator
Arjun Raman, MD, PhD
Defining Transcriptional Signatures of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Past
Early Investigator
Athanassios Vassilopoulos, PhD
Inactivating p53 K321 Acetylation Mediates SIRT2 Associated Mammary Tumorigenesi
Past
Early Investigator
Lu Wang, PhD
Delineate the Role of TET2 Mediating Metabolic and Epigenetic Coordination in Breast Cancer
Current
Early Investigator
Lamiaa El-Shennawy, PhD
Uptake of Tumor Extracellular Vesicles for Immune Regulation in TNBC
Current
Early Investigator
Frederick Howard, MD
Predicting Breast Cancer Recurrence in the Chicagoland Area Using Artificial Intelligence
Current
Early Investigator
Jeffrey Schneider, PhD
Breaking Barriers in Breast Cancer Therapy Through Individualized Immune Profiling
Past
Early Investigator
Nan Chen, MD
Discovering Novel Biomarkers of Therapy Response and Resistance in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients
Past
Early Investigator
Peiwen Chen, PhD
Targeting Macrophage Reprogramming in Brain Metastatic Breast Cancer
Past
Early Investigator
Chonghui Cheng, MD, PhD
Alternative Splicing and Breast Cancer Metastasis
Past
Early Investigator
Nurmaa K. Dashzeveg, PhD
Targeting Chemotherapy Associated CTC Clusters in Breast Cancer Metastasis
With Gratitude to Our Partners
We thank our corporate partners, foundations, and donors whose generosity drives life-changing breast cancer research and advances our mission to eradicate the disease.
In Their Own Words
Hear directly from our Lynn Sage Scholars as they share the ideas and discoveries shaping the future of breast cancer care.
"This innovative approach not only analyzes microscopic images of breast cancer cells but also predicts recurrence with the same accuracy as traditional, more costly tests. It’s truly inspiring to see technology making such a significant impact in patient care!"
Dr. Frederick Howard, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
University of Chicago
"We explore mitochondria, the powerhouse of cells, and their role in tumor growth. This research impacts cancer treatment!"
Kay F. Macleod, PhD
Professor, Ben May Department for
Cancer Research
University of Chicago
"The study provides a molecular insight into understanding why some cancer patients cannot be treated by the checkpoint blockade antitumor therapy, but others can."
Dr. Deyu Fang PHD
Hosmer Allen Johnson Professor of Pathology Professor, Pathology (Experimental Pathology), Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine
Science in Action News
Stay up to date with the latest findings, publications, and advances from our Lynn Sage Scholars and the research they’re driving.
Why your gift matters
Support the Research That
Saves Lives
Every advance begins with a bold idea and the support to pursue it. Your generosity helps Lynn Sage fund promising research and the scientists driving the next steps forward in breast cancer care.
Together, we can accelerate discoveries that save lives.
Every dollar drives discovery
Join us in the fight against breast cancer. Every gift helps fuel the next big breakthrough.
“Because of philanthropy and the support of the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation, we have made meaningful advancements that will have impact in the near and distant future.”
Dr. Leonidas Platanias, Director of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University