Celebrating CBTN Women Behind the Science: Gerri Trooskin

While researchers rightly take center stage after significant scientific breakthroughs, a dedicated group of people behind the scenes also play critical roles in the Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN) success. These unsung heroes – the masterminds behind legal, research, fundraising, project management, and relationship-building empower these scientists to focus on their groundbreaking work.

This February is "Women In Science" Month, and we're pulling the curtain back on some talented professionals who play key (but sometimes hidden) roles in driving scientific advancement at CBTN.

One such power behind the curtain is Gerri Trooskin, Director of Partnerships at CBTN. Gerri's background is a fascinating blend of science, education, and community engagement. Before joining CBTN, she spearheaded science outreach programs at Philadelphia's Franklin Institute, fostering a love for science in countless young minds. At CBTN, Gerri leverages her unique skillset to connect with families, foundations, and corporate sponsors. She translates complex scientific discoveries into compelling narratives that resonate with donors. Her tireless efforts have significantly bolstered CBTN's reach and resources, ensuring vital research can continue uninterrupted.

Building More Than Partnerships

Gerri's role extends beyond traditional partnership development. She cultivates strong relationships with the CBTN Executive Council, which she helped build from the ground up. The Executive Council is a group of leaders who provide crucial infrastructure and direction for the Network. This allows for a collaborative environment where researchers and families can exchange ideas and work towards a common goal: finding a cure for childhood brain tumors.

Her story exemplifies the dedication and passion many women in crucial roles outside the scientific sphere bring to CBTN. They are the bridge between science and the resources that fuel groundbreaking discoveries. Their tireless work ensures that lifesaving research continues, bringing hope to countless families with these challenging diagnoses.

Even with a steady stream of devastating stories from families struggling to save their children, Gerri finds inspiration in the heart of CBTN's mission. "I'm a geek at heart," she admits, "I love talking about science, and helping people to see the potential of science is so exciting to me, and bridging that gap is my sweet spot." This passion for translating complex research into understandable terms is a cornerstone of her success.

A Compassionate Mind

Gerri's unique blend of skills is invaluable to her role. "I often say that I have the project and strategic mindset of an engineer but the emotional intelligence of a social worker." This combination, which she studied in her college and graduate school days, allows her to navigate the delicate balance between scientific rigor and compassionate human connection.

Finally, Gerri offers a message of hope to families battling childhood brain cancer: "We're hard at work every day, and this team is pushing as hard and as quickly and as thoughtfully as we can to advance in this space. Patients and their families are front of mind every single day." She encourages the public to learn more about open science and support collaborative research efforts like that at CBTN, recognizing that "the more people know about it and accept it as a possibility, the more we can galvanize interest among other researchers."

Looking Beyond The Curtain

The next time you hear about a breakthrough in childhood brain tumor research, remember the incredible people behind the scenes who ensure those scientific efforts are backed by the resources, time, and space to succeed. The dedication, expertise, and compassion of consummate professionals like Gerri are essential in saving children's lives. Join us in celebrating the women in all areas of CBTN who make science happen.