In 2002, Gioia Barry of the John and Carol Barry Foundation established the John and Carol Barry Research Award to support laboratory and clinical investigations by junior faculty of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. The Award was founded in memory of her late husband John (pictured left) and his first wife Carol, both of whom lost their lives to cancer.
Through this award, the John and Carol Barry Foundation advances the work of junior researchers during a vulnerable time in their careers, when they are transitioning to faculty positions and do not have the track records to secure funding from traditional sources.
“I deeply appreciate the foundation’s investment in my career and the passionate and tireless support for cancer research of its executor, Gioia Barry,” says Paula D. Ryan, MD, PhD, director of the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Genetics and Risk Assessment Program at the Cancer Center and the first recipient of the award.
The second Barry Foundation awardee, Cancer Center faculty member Eyal C. Attar, MD, received funding to test a combination of medications that increase remission rates in patients with leukemia, a clinical trial that Massachusetts General Hospital has now extended nationwide. “Gioia Barry brings ardor, curiosity and commitment to the development of future leaders in oncology,” says Dr. Attar. “We’re lucky to have this funding available.”
