Geraldine O’Sullivan Coyne, MD, PhD, MRCPI, is the system head of Northwell and director of clinical research at New York State’s first START Center for Cancer Research site, located at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. 

She joins START New York City after two years as a clinical investigator at START Dublin in Ireland. Prior to that, Dr. O’Sullivan spent 10 years at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, where she completed fellowships in hematology/oncology and advanced developmental therapeutics, and held leadership roles including staff clinician in the Developmental Therapeutics Clinic (DTC) and Early Clinical Trials Development Program.

Dr. O’Sullivan received her medical training at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and earned a PhD in molecular medicine from University College Cork School of Medicine’s Cork Cancer Research Center. Her years of education and experience have generated more than 100 published research works, numerous clinical awards and international recognition and respect.

Her aim now is to bring cutting-edge early-stage oncology trials to Long Island. “Traditionally, clinical trials have been predominantly run at large academic centers. Unless you live nearby, you have to leave your local system and potentially travel a great distance to participate. Now, FDA-regulated trials will be available where our patients live for a wide breadth of solid tumors and hematological malignancies, including both common and rare cancers.”

An additional focus for Dr. O’Sullivan is improving patient safety. “In the modern era, the molecules we’re working with are very strong and targeted, but just because they are at earlier stages of development doesn’t mean they are unsafe or ineffective. I want patients to know how important their safety is to me, and that most of the drugs will go on to later stage trials. Interacting with patients is hands down my favorite part of this job. Their safety is my number one priority.”