In this episode, Wendy Law shares her journey from aspiring aerospace engineer to leading cancer research at Fred Hutch, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, mentorship, community, and innovation in advancing cancer care and research.
Key Topics
- Wendy Law’s personal journey and career development
- The role of mentorship and community in scientific careers
- The structure and importance of cancer centers and networks
- The integration of AI and data science in cancer research
- Strategies for effective collaboration and leadership in healthcare
Who Is Wendy Law?
Wendy trained at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, also known as “the Hutch”, as a graduate student and postdoc before taking on a science policy position with then-Hutch President and Nobel Laureate Dr. Lee Hartwell to help the National Cancer Institute (NCI) develop their Proteomics Initiative. Following a successfully funded Proteomics Initiative, she joined the Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research as their Director of Scientific Programs & Operations for nearly 8 years. Wendy returned to the Hutch in 2016 to serve in her current role as the Associate Director of Administration for the Fred Hutch/University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Cancer Consortium. The Cancer Consortium has been continuously designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the NCI since 1973.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
03:02 Her Role at Fred Hutch and Focus on Cancer Research
06:16 Early Influences and Mentors in Science
11:27 Understanding the Cancer Ecosystem Today
16:00 Mentorship and Near-Peer Programs for Trainees
19:20 The Role of Cancer Centers and the NCI Network
23:34 Fred Hutch’s Culture and Innovation
26:49 The Consortium of Seattle Cancer Centers
34:26 The Power of Philanthropy and Community Support
39:50 Explaining Complex Science to the Public
44:02 Pattern Recognition in Science and Leadership
44:54 Leadership Qualities Beyond Scientific Expertise
46:29 The Importance of Presence and Curiosity in Leadership
47:18 The Role of Curiosity and Problem Solving in Leadership
48:31 Building a Supportive Community of Cancer Center Leaders
50:45 The Evolution and Future of Cancer Center Networks
53:28 The Spirit of Sharing and Collaboration Among Centers
55:24 The Impact of Philanthropy and Community Involvement
57:47 One Thing to Change for Better Cancer Care
58:55 Closing Remarks and Gratitude