Katherine Janeway, MD, MMSc. Principal Investigator Katherine Janeway, MD, MMSc is Senior Physician in pediatric oncology at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. She cares for children, adolescents, and young adults with sarcomas. She is the Chair of the Children's Oncology Group (COG) Bone Tumor of the only national pediatric precision oncology trial to be conducted in the United States, the National Cancer Institute-COG Pediatric MATCH trial. Dr. Janeway took on the role of Director of Clinical Genomics at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 2018.
Suzanne Forrest, MD. Suzanne Forrest, MD completed her pediatric residency in the Boston Combined Residency Program followed by a hematology/oncology fellowship in the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center program. Dr. Forrest is currently involved in a number of clinical and research informatics activities both within our department (Cerner Oncology solid tumor liaison) and nationally (Childhood Cancer Data Initiative Data Platform Working Group member). Her current research focuses on the application of clinical genomics in pediatric solid tumors by designing novel investigator-initiated clinical trials. To date, Dr. Forrest has initiated two multicenter trials in advanced solid tumors. Dr. Forrest believes that to make the most progress in the rare diseases we treat, we need innovative, multi-disciplinary approaches that integrate the goals of our clinical and research initiatives.
Alanna Church, MD. Alanna Church, MD, is a Molecular Genetic Pathologist and Pediatric Pathologist at Boston Children’s Hospital. Her clinical and research focus is on developing and running molecular assays to support the care of children with solid tumors. Dr. Church is the Associate Director of the Laboratory for Molecular Pediatric Pathology (LaMPP) at Boston Children’s Hospital. She is the Associate Program Director for the Harvard Medical School Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship Program and the Chair of the Training & Education Committee at the Association for Molecular Pathology. She is the lead pathologist for the 12-institution iCat2/GAIN consortium study which has enrolled and sequenced more than 500 patients with rare, difficult to treat childhood solid cancers. Dr. Church is participating in several ongoing research efforts including the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Profile study, and the Broad Institute’s Count Me In study, with the goal of improving diagnostics and treatment options for children with cancer.
Lorena Lazo de la Vega, PhD. Lorena Lazo de la Vega has been a Clinical Genomics Curation Scientist in the Janeway Lab since March 2021. She graduated with a bachelor's from Trinity College and PhD from the University of Michigan. During graduate school, Lorena focused on the molecular landscape of rare cancers and precursor lesions. Her interest in pediatric cancers drew her to the Janeway lab where she is currently working with Dr. Janeway on the iCat2/GAIN consortium study and is investigating the pediatric cancers with targetable FGFR alterations. When not working, Lorena enjoys dancing, hiking, and checking out new restaurants in the area!
Evelina Ceca, MBA Evelina Ceca is a Senior Research Project Manager in the Janeway Lab, supporting projects such as GENIE, GAIN, as well as the collection of clinical data for the National Childhood Cancer Registry (NCCR). Throughout her career in healthcare, she has focused on operational performance and improvement projects, patient access management as well as partnering in the development of strategic plans, KPIs, and goals. Evelina has completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology as well as her Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Evelina is passionate about learning about different cultures and speaks Albanian, Italian, and Spanish. During her free time, Evelina enjoys hiking, canoeing, and family trips!
Joseph White, Ph.D. Joseph White graduated from Centre College of Kentucky with a B.S. in biochemistry. He completed his Ph.D. in genetics at North Carolina State University where he studied oxygen radical biology. Dr. White’s post-doctoral work involved cloning and sequencing of genes involved with plant hormone biogenesis, and mammalian energy metabolism. Dr. White joined The Institute for Genomic Research in 1999, working with Dr. John Quackenbush on developing databases and methods for use with microarray technology to study gene expression. This work continued when Dr. Quackenbush moved to Dana-Farber. In 2011 Dr. White began work at the Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary where he learned NGS data processing and analysis. Furthering his interests in genomic data analysis, in 2016 Dr. White worked at Wuxi NextCODE in Boston, where he helped develop methods to identify pathogenic variants in the human genome. Dr. White enjoys cycling, woodworking and music when he’s not glued to a computer monitor.
Sidney Benich Sidney Benich is a graduate of Barnard College working as a Research Data Specialist. She started in the Janeway Lab two years ago as a Research Assistant working on the GENIE project. Her work today mainly centers on the GENIE Project as well as the National Childhood Cancer Registry (NCCR) project. In her spare time, she likes to read and avidly follows the sport of figure skating.
Hannah Comeau, MS Hannah Comeau is a Scientist I in the Janeway Lab and the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Clinical and Translational Investigation Program (CTIP). She has been the lead clinical research coordinator for Dr. Janeway’s multicenter iCat2/GAIN Consortium Study since June 2020. Prior to joining the lab, Hannah conducted research in protein biochemistry, computational cancer genomics, and regenerative medicine and developed a strong interest in precision medicine. Hannah received her B.A. in Chemistry and Chinese at The College of the Holy Cross in 2018 and M.S in Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University in 2020. In the future, Hannah hopes to care for patients who may benefit from advances in cellular engineering and precision medicine. She enjoys the White Mountains in the morning, the Atlantic in the afternoon, and dancing in the evening.
Maeve Smart Maeve Smart is a senior at Northeastern University, where she is pursuing a B.S in Health Science and minor in Global Health, with an anticipated graduation of May 2022. Maeve completed her co-op experience in the Janeway Lab during Spring of 2021 and has stayed on part-time as she wraps up her undergraduate career. Maeve works on the Pediatric RECOVOR Study – Dana Farber’s institutional COVID-19 investigation – as well as the Molecular Almanac Project and various ongoing administrative tasks related to the GAIN Study. For fun, Maeve enjoys cooking, reading, and attending concerts.
Ellen Sukharevsky Ellen Sukharevsky is a Health and Human Biology graduate of Brown University, 2017. Her experience encompasses various sectors of the healthcare and life sciences field, including research, consulting, and marketing. Ellen is a Research Assistant II in the Janeway Lab and works heavily on the Count Me In Osteosarcoma and Leiomyosarcoma project. In her free time, Ellen enjoys running and exploring new restaurants in the Boston area.
Hannah Bender Hannah Bender will be graduating from Harvard Medical School in May 2023 and pursuing pediatrics residency training at the Boston Combined Residency Program. She received a B.A. in Biology from Columbia University in 2018. She is currently working on a project to characterize the genomic landscape of osteosarcoma and is investigating RAS mutations in pediatric cancers. In her free time, Hannah enjoys playing soccer, hiking, and reading novels
Zachary Kahn Zachary Kahn is a student at Northeastern University, pursuing a B.S. in Health Science with minors in French Language and Nutrition. He will apply to medical school to matriculate in 2025. Zachary is completing his co-op experience with the Janeway Lab during Spring of 2023, and will be staying on part-time. Zachary works on the multicenter iCat2/GAIN Consortium Study, as well as the Count Me In Osteosarcoma and Leiomyosarcoma study. During his free time, Zachary enjoys golfing, running, skiing, tennis, hiking, biking, and watching football.
Gracie Vogel Gracie Vogel is a student at Northeastern University, pursuing a B.S. in Health Science and Psychology with a minor in Journalism. Gracie will be completing her co-op experience at the Janeway Lab during the Fall of 2023, and she will be assisting with various projects including the GoldStar Diagnosis project and the Count Me In Osteosarcoma and Leiomyosarcoma study. At Northeastern, Gracie is a member of the club triathlon team as well as the Northeastern choir. During her free time, she enjoys exploring the city of Boston and spending time outdoors.