Project Purple is proud to announce the formation of its newly launched Research Committee: a multidisciplinary team of doctors and scientists from leading institutions across the country. This committee marks a major step forward in our mission to fund cutting-edge pancreatic cancer research and ensure our investments go toward the most promising and impactful work.
Who’s on the Committee?
Each doctor in the committee brings a unique perspective, background, and area of expertise. Together, they will help guide our research strategy, evaluate grant proposals, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in the fight against pancreatic cancer.
These five committee members hail from top hospitals, medical schools, and cancer research centers across the United States. Their collective knowledge spans basic science, clinical trials, public health, and patient care. Just as importantly, they share a deep commitment to the patients and families affected by this disease.
Introducing Dr. Bret Schipper, M.D., FACS, PE – Chief of Surgical Oncology, Hartford Hospital
Dr. Schipper brings an invaluable combination of surgical expertise, clinical insight, and strategic leadership to Project Purple’s Research Committee. As Chief of Surgical Oncology at Hartford Hospital and Co-Physician-in-Chief of their Digestive Health Institute, he not only treats pancreatic cancer patients but also helps shape the systems that improve how the disease is detected, studied, and treated across an entire healthcare network.
With over 15 years of surgical oncology experience, including specialized expertise in pancreatic and hepatobiliary surgery, Dr. Schipper has helped build the very clinical infrastructure Project Purple depends on. Earlier in his career, he developed and directed two of the region’s first multidisciplinary pancreatic programs at Saint Francis Hospital: a pancreatic cyst clinic and a high-risk pancreatic cancer clinic.
At Hartford HealthCare, Dr. Schipper has been a driving force behind Connecticut’s largest high-risk pancreatic cancer screening program, powered by Project Purple’s recent $750,000 grant. His work is making early detection more accessible and consistent across the state, which is an essential step in improving survival rates.
Beyond the operating room, Dr. Schipper plays a key role in strategic planning and innovation, helping Hartford HealthCare adopt new technologies and approaches that better serve patients and support collaborative research. His leadership uniquely bridges cutting-edge science with real-world clinical practice, translating ideas into huge outcomes for patients and families.
Dr. Schipper’s perspective, rooted both in hands-on care and high-level systems thinking, is exactly what Project Purple needs to bridge discovery and delivery, and turn research into meaningful change.
Introducing Dr. Peter Allen, M.D. – Chief of Surgical Oncology, Duke University
A nationally recognized surgical oncologist and researcher, Dr. Allen specializes in the treatment and research of pancreatic and hepatobiliary malignancies, with a career defined by advancing early detection and prevention strategies for pancreatic cancer. He currently serves as the David C. Sabiston Distinguished Professor of Surgery and Chief of Surgical Oncology at Duke University, Chief of Surgery at the Duke Cancer Institute, and Vice President of Cancer Services for the Duke Health System.
Before joining Duke in 2018, he spent 14 years at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he led the surgical efforts in the treatment of neoplastic diseases of the pancreas and served as Vice Chair of Surgical Services and Associate Director of the Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research.
With continuous R01 NIH funding since 2009, Dr. Allen’s research aligns closely with Project Purple’s mission: identifying and stopping pancreatic cancer before it becomes lethal. For over a decade, he has studied intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), cystic pancreatic lesions that can signal early cancer.
His leadership of multiple clinical trials has also been groundbreaking in advancing prevention and treatment. Within the past year, Project Purple awarded Dr. Allen and his Duke team multiple grants, including $100,000 to support a first-in-human, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled chemoprevention trial aimed at preventing pancreatic adenocarcinoma in patients with high-risk IPMNs.
Dr. Allen is building the scientific foundation for early detection and prevention: core pillars of Project Purple’s mission. His combined expertise in clinical practice and research makes him a vital leader in transforming discovery into life-saving care.
Introducing Dr. Eugene Koay, M.D., Ph.D. – Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson
With a background in bioengineering, Dr. Koay specializes in the treatment and research of gastrointestinal cancers, with a focus on pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and related malignancies. He is widely recognized for his clinical expertise and his translational research integrating diagnostic imaging, radiomics, and precision radiation therapy to improve outcomes for patients with complex GI tumors. He is currently a Professor of Radiation Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University.
Dr. Koay holds multiple leadership roles in national and international cancer research networks and task forces, including serving as an NCTN Observer for the Pancreas Task Force at the National Cancer Institute. His contributions have been recognized by numerous awards, such as the Andrew Sabin Family Fellows Award and the Shirley Stein Scientific Endowed Research Award. He is also an active mentor, having authored over 140 articles and a textbook, guiding the next generation of cancer researchers.
Dr. Koay leads and contributes to an extensive portfolio of funded research projects, one of which he is the Principal Investigator on a $2 million multi-omic early detection project for pancreatic cancer funded by the Pancreatic Cancer of North America. Additionally, he directs an $8 million strategic alliance with Artidis AG to investigate the biomechanical properties of multiple solid tumors, including pancreatic and liver cancers. Dr. Koay’s work spans from fundamental biological insights to clinical trials, aiming to enhance precision oncology through innovative diagnostic and treatment strategies.
His research aligns closely with the mission of Project Purple, contributing critical knowledge toward the early detection and improved treatment of pancreatic cancer. Dr. Koay’s dedication to integrating cutting-edge technology with patient care makes him a vital collaborator in advancing life-saving pancreatic cancer research.
Introducing Dr. Despina Siolas, M.D., Ph.D. – Assistant Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine
Dr. Despina Siolas is a rising leader in the field of gastrointestinal oncology, combining her clinical expertise and scientific insight to drive forward new treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer. Since 2021, she has served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, where she leads a laboratory focused on the intersection of cancer genetics, tumor immunology, and therapeutic resistance.
With a strong clinical background, Dr. Siolas’s work is deeply informed by the urgent needs of patients, guiding her toward innovative research questions. She is the recipient of multiple competitive grants and has made important contributions to understanding the roles of key genetic drivers such as p53 and KRAS mutations in pancreatic cancer. Her findings have been published in journals including Cell Reports and Cancer Cell, and have been presented at prestigious conferences, including AACR’s Pancreatic Cancer: Advances in Science and Clinical Care.
Beyond her own lab, Dr. Siolas is an active member of several scientific advisory panels and professional societies, contributing to the advancement of pancreatic cancer clinical trials and patient care. Her dual expertise in clinical oncology and cutting-edge research uniquely positions her to translate discoveries into innovative immunotherapeutic and targeted treatment strategies for gastrointestinal cancers.
Dr. Siolas’s commitment to scientific rigor, patient-centered care, and translational innovation aligns closely with Project Purple’s mission. Being both a clinician and scientist, she has a valuable voice on our Research Committee, helping to ensure that bold ideas lead to better outcomes for those facing pancreatic cancer.
Introducing Dr. Jonathan Brody, Ph.D. – Professor and Vice Chair of Research, OHSU
A nationally recognized leader in pancreatic cancer research, Dr. Brody is Vice Chair of Research and Professor in the Department of Surgery at OHSU, where he also serves as Associate Director of Translational Research at the Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care. With over 170 peer-reviewed publications, his work has significantly advanced understanding of pancreatic tumor biology, treatment resistance, and the development of personalized therapies.
At the center of his research is the role of post-transcriptional gene regulation in cancer progression, particularly RNA-binding proteins like HuR that promote tumor survival and resistance to standard therapies. His pioneering studies have laid the groundwork for clinical trials involving PARP inhibitors and other novel treatment strategies aimed at improving outcomes for patients with hard-to-treat pancreatic tumors.
Beyond the lab, Dr. Brody is deeply engaged in expanding access to care and addressing disparities in pancreatic cancer outcomes. He co-leads community-centered research initiatives, including projects focused on improving prevention, detection, and treatment access for Native American communities in Oregon. His commitment to equity in research and care aligns closely with Project Purple’s focus on patient-centered solutions and community engagement.
As a mentor, he has helped train dozens of graduate students, postdocs, and junior faculty. He also serves in leadership roles on national platforms, including the Department of Defense’s Pancreatic Cancer Research Program.
Dr. Brody brings to this committee a unique combination of basic science innovation, clinical insight, and community-driven leadership. His vision, rooted in collaboration, translational impact, and patient equity, makes him a critical contributor to Project Purple’s mission to prevent, detect, and defeat pancreatic cancer.
Why This Will Make An Impact
Scientific research is at the heart of everything we do at Project Purple. With the launch of this Research Committee, we’re taking a major step to ensure that both your generosity and our resources are invested in the most promising, high-impact work.
With a group of respected experts at the table, we’re better equipped than ever to identify and fund studies that are innovative, collaborative, and aligned with our mission. This committee helps ensure that every dollar raised, through our community events, marathons, and donations, drives progress toward earlier detection, better treatments, and ultimately, a cure.
We’re excited for you to get to know each of these doctors in the months ahead. Stay tuned as we spotlight their work, their motivations, and their vision for the future of pancreatic cancer research.
Together, we’re bringing brighter days within reach.
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