STEEPED IN TRADITION AND CEREMONY, endowed chairs are the highest accolade a university can bestow upon a professor. Endowed chairs represent prestige and honor for the chairholders and the people and organizations whose names they carry. They help us advance research, provide exceptional patient care, and attract and retain world-class talent. In 2021, Sylvester awarded endowed chairs to three outstanding faculty members who have distinguished themselves through their groundbreaking bodies of work.
SANOJ PUNNEN, M.D.
The Pap Corps Champions for Cancer Research Endowed Chair in Solid Tumor Research
For nearly 70 years, The Pap Corps Champions for Cancer Research has been a vital partner in support of the University of Miami and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. In acknowledgement of his innovative research in prostate cancer, Dr. Punnen was awarded The Pap Corps Champions for Cancer Research Endowed Chair in Solid Tumor Research. The prestigious designation allows Dr. Punnen and his team to expand the scope and influence of their work, which focuses on prostate cancer detection and risk assessment.
“The endowed chair is really about the future. It’s about supporting your research so it can lead to even better things… The way we look at this is teamwork with Sylvester providing the support and the infrastructure, the researchers providing the science that moves the field, and organizations like The Pap Corps providing their generosity and support to transform discoveries into practices that provide real patient impact.”
C. OLA LANDGREN, M.D., PH.D.
Paul J. DiMare Endowed Chair in Immunotherapy
Throughout the years, Paul and Swanee DiMare’s philanthropic support has made a lasting impact across the University of Miami. The DiMares’ most recent philanthropic pledge, the Paul J. DiMare Endowed Chair in Immunotherapy, will allow Dr. Landgren — a world-renowned expert in multiple myeloma and early drug development — to continue his groundbreaking research integrating immunotherapy into the development of curative treatment strategies for multiple myeloma and other cancers.
“This is a time of great hope and promise for cancer patients and their families. The development of novel immunotherapies, partnered with improved biological understanding of the immune system, is already dramatically reshaping what we can achieve through cancer therapy. It is an incredible honor to be the recipient of the Paul J. DiMare Endowed Chair in Immunotherapy, and I look forward to honoring the DiMare family’s generosity in return through my work.”
ERIN KOBETZ, PH.D., M.P.H.
John K. and Judy H. Schulte Senior Endowed Chair in Cancer Research
John and Judy Schulte were steadfast supporters of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. While the couple gave generously during their lifetimes, they arranged to have much of their estate given to Sylvester in support of research and education. John passed away in 2018 and Judy in 2016. The Schultes' endowment will allow Dr. Kobetz to continue her lifesaving research, which has dramatically reduced cancer disparities in South Florida and contributed to Sylvester being named the first WHO collaborating Center for Cervical Cancer Elimination.
“I’m honored to be able to carry forth their legacy by doing important research to move the dial to advance health equity for South Florida and beyond. I intend to use the Schultes' investment to catalyze important, locally relevant research that focuses on South Florida’s unique, multicultural diversity and cancer burdens. This chair will also allow me to continue collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners to make progress on articulated targets to eradicate cervical cancer.”