BCRF Community Mourns Loss of Dr. Charis Eng

Dr. Eng remembered for pioneering discoveries in personalized genetics and genomics and her mentorship of the next generation of researchers

It is with great sadness that BCRF shares that Dr. Charis Eng, a true leader and pioneer in the field of genomic medicine, has passed.

A BCRF investigator since 2007, Dr. Eng garnered international acclaim for her discoveries in personalized genetics and genomics to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Her initial discoveries were among the first to prove that heritable mutations in cancer susceptibility genes could explain certain syndromes, including those featuring breast cancer. Her seminal discovery connecting the PTEN gene to Cowden syndrome challenged the “one-gene-one-disease” paradigm, as she discovered inherited PTEN mutations were linked to many seemingly disconnected conditions, including several cancers and autism spectrum disorder.

She then devoted many years to characterizing the biology of these tumors, with particular emphasis on breast cancer and endometrial cancer. Dr. Eng was also the director of the Cleveland Clinic’s PTEN Multidisciplinary Clinic. Her work provided a critical set of guidelines for managing individuals and families with Cowden and related syndromes.

Dr. Eng held 17 major administrative and leadership positions over her career and received more than 100 research and clinical awards and appointments, notably the prestigious Medal of Honor from the American Cancer Society in 2018. In May 2024, she won Cleveland Clinic’s highest award for innovation, the Sones Award, recognizing her indelible mark on science and her record as a prolific inventor.

Dr. Eng shared her enthusiasm for research with her many mentees, rigorously training the next generation of physician-scientists and researchers. In fact, Dr. Eng created a unique training fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic in cancer genomic medicine. She received multiple mentorship awards, including the Doris Duke Distinguished Scientist and American Cancer Society Professorship, as well as the American Medical Association’s Women’s Physicians Mentorship Recognition and the American Medical Women’s Association’s Exceptional Mentor award.

“Charis was a force of nature. She was a true pioneer in cancer genetics and had a lasting impact on our understanding of not only cancer genetics, but also breast cancer biology,” said BCRF Scientific Director Dr. Judy Garber. “She always put the impact of her work on patients as the highest priority but managed to be a wonderful mentor and role model at the same time. BCRF will miss her unique work, as well as her remarkable dedication and incredible intellect.”

At the time of her passing, Dr. Eng was the Cleveland Clinic’s global director of genomic research strategies. Dr. Eng was also the distinguished holder of the Sondra J. and Stephen R. Hardis Endowed Chair in Cancer Genomic Medicine. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Eng was the inaugural founder and director of The Ohio State University–The James Cancer Hospital’s Clinical Cancer Genetics Program.

BCRF celebrates Dr. Eng’s stellar career and contributions to the field of breast cancer research. We extend our deepest sympathies to Dr. Eng’s family, friends, and colleagues in this time of sorrow.