Dr. Cercek is a physician scientist and medical oncologist, with a research focus on novel biomarker-driven, therapeutic approaches and treatments for colorectal cancer and other GI malignancies. She is an Associate Attending Physician in Gastrointestinal Oncology. She is the Section Head of Colorectal Cancer and is the Founding Co-Director of the Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She is an innovative researcher who designs and executes multidisciplinary clinical trials and research initiatives with the goals of advancement of science and improvement in patient outcomes and quality of life. She has NIH funded support for clinical trials and research investigating the mechanisms of response in neoadjuvant therapy and early-stage disease. Dr. Cercek was one of the early investigators who noted a rise in early onset colorectal cancers and founded the first research and patient directed center in the world dedicated to identifying the underpinnings of this rise and improvement in patient care. She plays an active role and serves as an organizing member of several national and international committees including ASCO, ESMO and AACR. Dr. Cercek’s research initiatives, particularly young onset colorectal cancer have inspired centers world-wide and spurred national and international collaborations.