PMAC Expands Global Research Footprint: Welcoming UPMC and Dr. Marija Balic
- carolinareduzzi
- Jan 14
- 2 min read
The Precision Medicine Action for Cancer (PMAC) is proud to announce the latest expansion of our international academic consortium. In our ongoing effort to harmonize real-world data and accelerate precision oncology, we officially welcome UPMC Hillman Cancer Center as a member institution and Dr. Marija Balic to our Steering Committee.
A Powerhouse in Clinical Research
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is a global leader in cancer research and clinical care. As an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, UPMC Hillman is recognized for its transformative research and its ability to move scientific discoveries quickly from the lab to the bedside.
By joining PMAC, UPMC adds its deep clinical expertise and diverse patient data to our collaborative network, further strengthening our ability to study rare cancer subtypes and treatment resistance at scale.
Expertise in Liquid Biopsy and Translational Medicine
We are equally honored to welcome Dr. Marija Balic to the PMAC leadership team. Dr. Balic serves as a Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and is a nationally recognized expert in breast cancer.
Dr. Balic’s vision aligns perfectly with PMAC’s core research initiatives, particularly our focus on leveraging real-world evidence (RWE) to optimize treatment sequences for patients who have historically been underserved by standard clinical trials.
Strengthening the PMAC Mission
The addition of UPMC Hillman and Dr. Balic marks a significant step forward in our mission to build the world’s most comprehensive multi-institutional database for liquid biopsy and precision oncology.
"The inclusion of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and the expertise of Dr. Marija Balic significantly elevates our collective ability to address the most pressing questions in oncology today," says Massimo Cristofanilli, PMAC President and CEO. "Together, we are moving closer to a future where every cancer patient’s treatment is guided by the most advanced molecular insights available."
