Building a Nationwide Network

The painting features a woman dressed in a lab coat, highlighting her involvement in research and science.

Giselle Saulnier Sholler, MD
Department of Pediatrics - Professor
Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics - Professor
Division of Hematology and Oncology - Chief
Penn State Neuroscience Institute

Giselle Saulnier Sholler, MD, had a vision extended beyond her own research. She recognized a need for translational research programs and an easier way to bridge the gap between research laboratories and clinical applications.

In 2009, the Beat Childhood Cancer (BCC) Research Consortium, a collaborative international network of over 55 hospitals, was founded by Sholler. Through data sharing, bioinformatics and collaborations, BCC Research Consortium drives discoveries, provides increased access and improves outcomes for children battling cancer, both now and in the future.

“It’s circular: What we learn from patients, we bring to the lab and what we learn in the lab, we bring back to patients. It’s critical for finding new therapies for kids with cancer and for understanding cancer better,” said Sholler.

Since its inception, the BCC Research Consortium has launched more than 27 clinical trials targeting pediatric cancers and enrolled nearly 2,500 patients worldwide.

By uniting researchers and clinicians, Dr. Sholler created a platform for advancing therapies and ensuring that children across the world have access to cutting-edge treatments.

**Giselle Saulnier Sholler, MD, is the Four Diamonds Endowed Chair for Pediatric Oncology Research at the College of Medicine.