Vertino Takes the Reins as Leader of Basic Science at SMD

Paula Vertino, PhD, an accomplished cancer research scientist and Wilmot Cancer Institute Distinguished Professor in Cancer Genomics, has been appointed senior associate dean for Basic Research.

Vertino was recruited to Wilmot in 2018 to promote collaboration and team science. She enjoys bringing people together using a “grass roots” approach.

In her new role, she wants to work with institutional leadership to create an environment that fosters faculty and trainee success. She also plans to further integrate the basic and clinical research enterprise.

“I feel strongly that as a leader, one needs to be as invested in what others are doing as in one’s own research program,” noted Vertino.

“Paula’s role in bridging the gap from very basic science to more applied cancerclinical work, along with the enrichment she’s already brought to our educational programs, makes her a perfect fit for this position,” said Mark B. Taubman, MD, dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry and CEO of URMC. “We can’t wait to see her new ideas come to fruition and help continue to foster a vibrant research community here at SMD.”

Steven Dewhurst, PhD, vice dean for research, noted the impact Vertino has made on the University since moving to Rochester four years ago: “One of Paula’s many gifts is her ability to build connections between people and to make members of our scientific community feel valued and included. She’s a brilliant scientist, but she’s also warm and kind.”

Vertino, who is also professor of Biomedical Genetics and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, pioneered a new elective concentration in cancer biology, which saw its first graduate last May. And she continues to work closely with researchers at the UR Aging Institute to develop ways for older cancer patients to use digital technology for behavioral and supportive-care interventions.

Vertino, along with Kah Poh Loh, MBBCh (Flw ’18, Flw ’19), a hematologist, oncologist, and geriatrician, and Michelle Janelsins-Benton, PhD (MS ’05, PhD ’08, MPH ’13), associate professor of Surgery, Radiation Oncology, and Neuroscience, were