Targum speaks with inaugural William N. Hait director at Rutgers Cancer Institute
Steven Libutti, vice chancellor for Cancer Programs at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences and distinguished professor in the Department of Surgery at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, was appointed the new inaugural William N. Hait director of Rutgers Cancer Institute, according to a press release.
The award is named after the institute's founder William N. Hait, recognizing his contributions to oncology research and health care under the William N. Hait Endowed Directorship. Hait, in his various positions, has developed technology to fulfill his objective of altering the course of human health.
Libutti told The Daily Targum that he shares similarities with Hait based on his story of how he entered the medical field.
"It's a tremendous honor to have Dr. Hait's name on my signature line with this appointment as the inaugural William N. Hait director," he said. "It continues to inspire me to work hard to make his initial vision for this Cancer Institute a success."
The Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey targets cancer with advanced treatments, immunotherapy and research studies, transforming lab discoveries into practical treatments and offering adults and children cancer care. The Institute provides programs such as surgical oncology and gynecologic oncology.
Libutti said that as the director, he aims to create an atmosphere that allows researchers to better understand cancer as a group of diseases, study cancer biology and create novel approaches to cancer detection, care and prevention.
In 2017, before he stepped into his new role as director, Libutti was named Vice Chancellor for Cancer Programs at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Services and Director of the Rutgers Cancer Institute.
Libutti was the director of the Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care and an associate director of the Albert Einstein Cancer Center before joining Rutgers. He said that he was a senior investigator and section chief at the National Cancer Institute for 14 years, where he led initiatives in clinical trials.
The National Cancer Institute helps increase scientific literacy about cancer research domestically over a wide range of studies that caters to the needs of intersectional demographics.
Libutti said that after being in the Cancer Institute for almost eight years, the chancellor nominated him for the directorship and the Board of Governors approved.
"I think what they saw in me when they were interviewing a number of different people for that position was someone who had experienced this on a large scale," he said. "And, someone who had a vision for how to build a broader and more impactful program at Rutgers and at RWJ Barnabas Health."
Libutti said that he wants to provide an environment for researchers globally to perform their work at Rutgers. He also said that in May 2025, there will be a new facility called the Jack and Sheryl Morris Cancer Center of the Rutgers Cancer Institute that will help recruit researchers in order to reduce the number of cancer cases in New Jersey.
"My mission is to continue to build the premier cancer research and care program in the state of New Jersey to try to help lower that burden of this disease for the people of New Jersey," he said.
