Rebecca A. Shatsky, MD: Shaping Clinical Research and Care
How far can a commitment to discovery take you? For Rebecca A. Shatsky, MD, it’s leading the charge in revolutionizing breast cancer care.
Shatsky’s journey is deeply rooted at UC San Diego, where her passion for advancing medicine was shaped. Driven by a desire to specialize in breast cancer care, she completed a prestigious breast cancer—focused fellowship in hematology/oncology at UC San Diego School of Medicine. This training not only honed her clinical and research expertise but also instilled in her the courage to challenge boundaries in cancer care.
Today, as leader of the Breast Medical Oncology Team at UC San Diego Health and director of the Breast Cancer Clinical Trials and the inflammatory and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) program, Shatsky represents the full-circle impact of UC San Diego’s commitment to education, discovery and community.
Her work exemplifies how the university’s alumni are changing lives and shaping fields far beyond campus walls.
Shatsky’s clinical focus spans all breast cancer subtypes, with expertise in complex cases, such as TNBC, lobular breast cancer and cancers affecting younger women. And her commitment doesn’t end at treatment. She’s the founder of a support group for young survivors of breast cancer, creating a space where patients can connect and heal together. This combination of expert care and community building showcases her dedication to improving lives on every level.
Her research is equally groundbreaking. By exploring how multiomics can guide personalized treatments for metastatic breast cancer, Shatsky is advancing precision medicine. Her work, backed by esteemed organizations such as the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Curebound, is driving critical progress. Published in leading journals such as Nature Medicine and JAMA Oncology, her research isn’t just reshaping the field — it’s bringing real hope to patients worldwide.
Beyond the lab and clinic, Shatsky’s leadership extends to national and global platforms. As co-chair of clinical trial operations for the influential I-SPY2 trial and an advisor to pivotal boards, she’s helping shape the future of breast cancer care. From developing new treatment guidelines to championing groundbreaking clinical trials, her impact is far-reaching.
Shatsky’s clinical focus spans all breast cancer subtypes, with expertise in complex cases, such as TNBC, lobular breast cancer and cancers affecting younger women. And her commitment doesn’t end at treatment. She’s the founder of a support group for young survivors of breast cancer, creating a space where patients can connect and heal together. This combination of expert care and community building showcases her dedication to improving lives on every level.
Her research is equally groundbreaking. By exploring how multiomics can guide personalized treatments for metastatic breast cancer, Shatsky is advancing precision medicine. Her work, backed by esteemed organizations such as the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Curebound, is driving critical progress. Published in leading journals such as Nature Medicine and JAMA Oncology, her research isn’t just reshaping the field — it’s bringing real hope to patients worldwide.
Beyond the lab and clinic, Shatsky’s leadership extends to national and global platforms. As co-chair of clinical trial operations for the influential I-SPY2 trial and an advisor to pivotal boards, she’s helping shape the future of breast cancer care. From developing new treatment guidelines to championing groundbreaking clinical trials, her impact is far-reaching.
Shatsky’s journey from UC San Diego’s fellowship program to a national leader in cancer care shows what’s possible when opportunity meets determination. Her academic journey is one of innovation, fueled by the transformative power of discovery — exactly what UC San Diego was build to inspire.
By exploring how multiomics can guide personalized treatments for metastatic breast cancer, Shatsky is advancing precision medicine.