11/18/2025
Pride to Shaare Zedek… Pride to Israel
Prof. Ephrat Levy Lahad, the Robin Chemers Neustein Director of the Fuld Family Medical Genetics Institute at Shaare Zedek Medical Center has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Basser Global Prize by the The Basser Center for BRCA at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania.
Each year, the Basser Global Prize recognizes a leading scientist who has advanced BRCA1 and BRCA2-related research. Individuals with mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are at an increased risk of breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers.
“I am immensely grateful for being chosen for the Basser Award.
Throughout my 30 years of activity and research, my goal has always been to bring new discoveries in the field of cancer, with the hope that we can develop solutions to help reduce the risk of cancer morbidity and thereby save lives," Prof. Levy Lahad said.
"I sincerely hope that our work within the Institute of Medical Genetics will lead to new discoveries in the field of cancer in ways that will further improve quality of life and extend life expectancy.”
Prof. Levy Lahad, also a Professor of Internal Medicine and Medical Genetics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, is one of the world’s leading experts on inherited breast cancer among Jewish women. Women and men of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry have a 1 in 40 chance of carrying a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. This is about a five times greater chance than that of the general population.
Her research accomplishments include establishing for the first time that risks of breast and ovarian cancer are high among BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers identified from the general population—not just among carriers with a family history of cancer. This work provided the evidence-base and impetus for implementing a free nationwide genetic screening program among Ashkenazi Jews in Israel, which has since expanded to include Ethiopian Jews. More than 60,000 women are now tested annually for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. Levy-Lahad has also co-led the Middle East Breast Cancer Study (MEBCS) of newly diagnosed Palestinian breast cancer patients and their families, identifying features unique to this population.
“The Basser Global Prize recognizes scientists who are transforming our understanding of BRCA-related cancers and inspiring hope for the future,” said Susan M. Domchek, MD, Executive Director of the Basser Center for BRCA. “Prof. Levy-Lahad’s innovative work exemplifies the scientific excellence and collaboration that drives progress forward for individuals and families affected by BRCA mutations.”
The Fuld Family Medical Genetics Institute at Shaare Zedek Medical Center is an internationally-renowned center of medical genetics research and genetics counseling involved with the diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling of hereditary disorders, including pioneering work in preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Among its many achievements, the Institute’s studies have firmly established Shaare Zedek as key players on the world stage in research of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
The Basser Global Prize was established and endowed by Shari Potter and Leonard Potter, following the establishment of the Basser Center in 2012 by University of Pennsylvania alumni Mindy and Jon Gray in memory of Mindy and Shari’s sister Faith Basser, who died of ovarian cancer at age 44.
