Scientific Areas of Expertise: Cancer Innovation; Precision and Transformative Medicine; Systems Science
For her enormous and highly impactful contributions to building many of the essential elements of cancer precision medicine including serving as co-founder of The Cancer Genome Atlas, whereby she played a critical role in the design, initiation, and establishment of the program, heralded for the molecular characterization of over 20,000 biospecimens spanning 33 tumor types, including 10 rare cancers; for her innovative and unwavering scientific foresight, leadership, and success in establishing the NCI Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer, the Clinical Proteomics Technologies Initiative for Cancer, and the Cancer Human Biobank and Cancer Bioinformatics Grid; and for her decades-long pioneering contributions to convergence and complex systems science and the Physical Sciences-Oncology Centers.
A quintessential figure in transformative healthcare, Dr. Barker is heralded for her enormous contributions as a founder of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and her critical role in the design, initiation, and establishment of TCGA. This monumental project has uniquely convened researchers from all scientific areas and from numerous institutions across the United States and Canada and continues to effectively serve as the premier model for team science initiatives, defining the molecular characterization of over 20,000 biospecimens spanning 33 tumor types, including 10 rare cancers. Additionally, TCGA has enabled and driven the development of new technologies that have exponentially improved genetic sequencing capabilities and is the foremost initiative responsible for supporting the emergence and implementation of precision cancer medicine. Through her innovative scientific foresight and leadership, she has successfully established the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer, the Clinical Proteomics Technologies Initiative for Cancer, and the Cancer Human Biobank and Cancer Bioinformatics Grid. Alongside these remarkable accomplishments, Dr. Barker has also made pioneering contributions to the emergence of convergence cancer science, complex systems biology, and the NCI’s Physical Sciences-Oncology Centers. Additionally, she has led the development of the biomarker and clinical trials sections of the 21 Century Cures Act as well as the establishment of the remarkably successful AACR Scientist <-> Survivor Program (SSP).
Most recently, as Director of Transformative Healthcare Networks at Arizona State University, she leads efforts to design and implement “knowledge network” models that address complex diseases such as cancer using adaptive systems to drive innovative solutions in areas such as biomarker discovery and development, and new clinical trial design, and to elucidate the role of big data and artificial intelligence in precision cancer medicine. Relentless in her pursuit to impact cancer patients, Dr. Barker continues to be a catalytic force among scientists, provoking the community and challenging current standards. Collectively, Dr. Barker is revered for her unparalleled scientific foresight, leadership, mentorship, and decades-long pioneering contributions to cancer research, cancer patient advocacy, and her ongoing national efforts to prevent and cure cancer.
Selected Awards and Honors
2020-2021 Chair, Planning and Budget Subcommittee, National Cancer Advisory Board, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
2020 AACR Team Science Award, Association for American Cancer Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2018 AACR Distinguished Award, Exceptional Leadership in Cancer Science Policy and Advocacy, Association for American Cancer Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2016-Present Chair, Scientist↔Survivor Program, Association for American Cancer Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2014 Distinguished Alumni Award, College of Arts and Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
2010-2022 Member, Science Policy and Government Affairs Committee, Association for American Cancer Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2009 AACR Margaret Foti Award for Leadership and Extraordinary Achievements in Cancer Research, Association for American Cancer Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2009 The 100 People Changing America, Rolling Stone Magazine, New York, New York
2009 Founder’s Award for Research Excellence, National Brain Tumor Society, Newton, Massachusetts
1996 Chair, Breast Cancer Research Program Integration Panel, Department of Defense, Washington, DC
1993-2006 Member, Breast Cancer Research Program Integration Panel, Department of Defense, Washington, DC
2018-2024 Member, National Cancer Advisory Board, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
2001-2002 Chair, Public Science Policy and Legislative Affairs Committee, Association for American Cancer Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1998-2001 Board of Directors, Association for American Cancer Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania