The endowment was established by a $2 million gift from Linda Leatherbury in memory of her late husband Victor Cheloliber, MD. The endowment will support cancer researchers.
Case Western Reserve University has received a $2 million gift from Linda Leatherbury in memory of her late husband Victor Cheloliber, MD. The gift will establish the Cheloliber-Leatherbury Doctoral Student Scholars Endowment, which will support PhD student cancer researchers at the university’s Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.
According to an article on Case Western Reserve University’s website, Gary Schwartz, MD, who serves as the director of Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, was quoted as saying of the endowment, “Linda’s generous commitment will support development and implementation of a proposed cancer-focused PhD training program at Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. The initiative is intended to expand advanced doctoral training opportunities and help strengthen the pipeline of cancer researchers, including by reducing financial barriers for trainees.”
The Cheloliber-Leatherbury Doctoral Student Scholars Endowment will provide financial support for first year doctoral students who are conducting research at the university’s Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. First year doctoral students often face uncertainty when it comes to funding, so this endowment will provide them the resources to conduct their cancer research.
University president Eric W. Kaler said, “Linda understands that access to funding and mentoring at the start of PhD students’ training makes a critical difference. This gift will positively impact their experiences and outcomes, as well as cancer research at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center for years to come.”
Leatherbury’s late husband, Victor Cheloliber, MD, was an internal medicine physician and advocate for cancer research. Cheloliber had lost his first wife to breast cancer. Leatherbury is also a melanoma survivor who lost her grandfather and her best friend to cancer. She is part of the Case Cancer Council, an organization which meets throughout the year to form strategies that will help increase awareness of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and its initiatives.
She said, “Cancer is a scourge, and I am so hopeful that it can be stopped. Case Western Reserve has the knowledge and talent to do that. I know these students have limitless potential. I am happy to make an investment that keeps the path to discovery open for those dedicated to ending cancer.”
The Cheloliber-Leatherbury Student Scholars Endowment will provide financial support, as well help create a community of fellow research students that will serve as a peer mentorship network. Additionally, the endowment will help support the future development of a dedicated PhD program in cancer through the university’s School of Medicine, which will be developed by the Case CCC Office of Cancer Training and Education, and led by associate director Jason Mears, PhD and assistant director Damian Junk, PhD.
For more information about Case Western Reserve University, visit the school’s website.