Joann Sweasy, PhD, learned about cancer early.
“A very close cousin of mine died of leukemia when she was almost 5,” Dr. Sweasy said. “It was horrible, incredibly sad. It was a terrible time for our family. And of course — as a kid — I wanted to do something about it.”
Dr. Sweasy also enjoyed science from a young age, although she didn’t fall in love with it until the sixth grade.
“That’s when I started to learn about DNA, and I love DNA.”
Dr. Sweasy’s love of research led to her career as an expert in the genetics, cell biology and biochemistry of DNA repair. And as of Nov. 1, she also is the director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases.
The former director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center, she came to the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in part because she was impressed with the clinical care, the research portfolio and the level of collaboration that takes place.
One of her long-term goals is to help the center achieve the National Cancer Institute’s Comprehensive Cancer Center designation, which she admits is going to take time. But that is only part of her vision for the center.
“We’re working right now on a comprehensive strategic plan that promotes engagement of all the members and the stakeholders, so that together, we will become a trusted partner of Nebraskans to reduce the cancer burden and inequities. We will build on our outstanding reputation for strong scientific collaboration and impact.”
Dr. Sweasy said she is interested in working with Nebraska Medicine and UNMC “to make sure that all Nebraskans benefit from the incredible cancer research and care here” at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
“We’re working on access for every Nebraskan to the best cancer care, research, clinical trials and also preventative measures, education in cancer prevention,” she said. “Over 40% of cancer is preventable, and it would be great for everyone in our state to be able to avail themselves of that education, so that we don’t have to treat the cancer — so that we can prevent it.”
Dr. Sweasy also wants to make the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center a leader in population sciences, not only in research but also in dissemination and implementation. Population science explores factors that can impact health outcomes, which also can include environmental, social and economic factors.
“We’re very lucky. We have people here working on this, and we have a college of public health to help us, and they are totally on board.”
That is another thing that drew Dr. Sweasy to the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
“Everybody here is on board,” she said. “Treating and giving the best care. Prevention. Becoming the go-to partner for cancer care across Nebraska. We have an array of important and promising clinical trials. We are seen as a welcome partner to departments not only at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, but around the state and nation, across institutes and pharmaceutical companies.
“Our goal is to build those ties, to become a national destination for multiple cancers, as we are with our Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence. To promote inclusive excellence. That’s the plan, and it aligns with the UNMC and Nebraska Medicine strategic plan.”
Dr. Sweasy admits it was a hard decision to leave the University of Arizona Cancer Center.
“But when I visited here, I discovered what a gem this cancer center was. Dr. Ken Cowen has done an incredible job in building it. And when I started to dig, I found that there are very strong collaborations, strong clinical trials. Superb research, as well as superb cancer care delivery, is being done here.”