Transforming Pancreatic Cancer Care Through Data Science, 9-11-2025

Dear faculty, staff and students,

We are pleased to announce the creation of a groundbreaking data science program in pancreatic cancer at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, made possible through the philanthropy of Tom and Cydney Marsico. This initiative, launched with $15 million in support from the Marsico family, represents a bold step forward in transforming care for one of the deadliest and least understood cancers.

In partnership with CU Innovations and the University of Colorado Cancer Center , this program will harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and next-generation data science to uncover the biological drivers of pancreatic cancer and accelerate the development of personalized therapies. Together, these tools will enable CU Anschutz researchers to build a comprehensive picture of pancreatic cancer at the cellular level, leading to more precise and effective treatments. 

This philanthropic investment will support the recruitment of world-class scientists, the expansion of biobanking and sequencing infrastructure, and the creation of a deeply annotated, multimodal dataset that links biological insights to patient outcomes. The program’s ambitious three-year plan is designed to deliver actionable discoveries that can be translated into clinical trials and commercial applications, with the potential to improve lives across Colorado and beyond. 

This new initiative builds on the success of RefinedScience, a CU Anschutz and UCHealth partnership that pioneered the use of biology and big data to tackle complex hematologic cancers. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Marsico’s gift, we can now apply that proven model to solid tumors – beginning with pancreatic cancer – to unlock new insights and accelerate breakthroughs.

We are deeply grateful to Tom and Cydney Marsico for their commitment to advancing pancreatic cancer research. This gift goes beyond funding; it reflects a visionary partnership. The Marsicos’ support, guidance and belief in the power of data and collaboration are instrumental in making this work possible.  

Please join us in celebrating this milestone and the extraordinary possibilities it brings for patients, families and the future of medicine.

Sincerely,

Don Elliman
Chancellor

John H. Sampson, MD, PhD, MBA
Richard D. Krugman Endowed Chair
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs
Dean, CU School of Medicine