2026 Byers Award Lecture in Basic Science

Sam Hawgood, MBBS, became UCSF’s 10th chancellor in July 2014. He previously served as dean of the School of Medicine and vice chancellor for medical affairs. In addition to his four-decade distinguished career at UCSF, he is renowned internationally for neonatology research. A native of Australia, Chancellor Hawgood earned his medical degree with first-class honors from the University of Queensland in Brisbane. He trained in pediatrics as a resident and specialized in neonatology as a fellow.

Dr. Perera studies pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest cancers because it spreads early and is difficult to treat. Her research revealed that the lysosome, a structure inside cells, acts as a powerful metabolic engine, helping cancer cells gather nutrients, especially cholesterol, to fuel the spread of tumors. By targeting these nutrient pathways, her work identifies new vulnerabilities in pancreatic cancer and may point to innovative treatment strategies that combine diet, metabolism, and precision medicine.