Winter 2025
By Cyrena Musset
Photography by Michael Blanchard
Shelby Roseman, PhD, and Amanda Smythers, PhD, were recently named the latest group of Trustee Science Committee Postdoctoral Fellows at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The fellowship was launched in 2020 with donations from the Trustee Science Committee (TSC), a group of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute board members responsible for advancing research and cultivating scientific talent at all levels at Dana-Farber. Since the program’s inception, the TSC has raised more than $1 million to foster the next generation of cancer researchers.
Roseman is working to establish a collaborative research group to explore how epigenetic mechanisms drive cancer progression and drug resistance. Her work investigates the role of dysregulated repetitive DNA sequences, often dismissed as “junk DNA,” in shaping cancer cell states. By deepening our understanding of gene regulation in cancer, she aims to contribute to the development of innovative therapies. Roseman is currently conducting her research in the lab of Bradley Bernstein, MD, PhD, the Richard and Nancy Lubin Family Chair at Dana-Farber, a leader in epigenomics. Under Bernstein’s mentorship, she is building the foundation for her long-term goal of becoming a professor and advancing research on epigenetic regulation in cancer.
Smythers is driven by a deep passion for the scientific process and aspires to lead her own research group as a principal investigator (PI). Her scientific journey began with foundational research on topics ranging from photosynthetic electron transfer to tardigrade biology. As a postdoctoral fellow, she is integrating her background in fundamental science with translational research to address questions that can improve patient outcomes. Smythers is co-advised by Steve Gygi, PhD, at Harvard Medical School, and Bruce Spiegelman, PhD, who is the Stanley J. Korsmeyer, MD, Professor of Cell Biology and Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Edward Chouchani, PhD, at Dana-Farber. Her primary work in the Spiegelman Lab focuses on applying her expertise in analytical chemistry to critical biological questions, while her involvement in the Gygi Lab allows her to advance mass spectrometry techniques. In the Chouchani Lab, she combines method development with biological implementation. This multidisciplinary training positions her to mentor the next generation of scientists while pursuing impactful research as a future PI.
“The Trustee Science Committee Fellowship plays a critical role in empowering individuals to pursue their passions and contribute to the future of science.”
Levi Garraway, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber Trustee
“Scientists come from all backgrounds, and their diverse perspectives drive innovation and discovery,” said Dana-Farber Trustee Levi Garraway, MD, PhD. “Supporting early career researchers is essential to ensure talent isn’t lost due to lack of resources. I give to the Trustee Science Committee Fellowship because it plays a critical role in empowering these individuals to pursue their passions and contribute to the future of science.”