VCU names director for Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

Monica L. Baskin will serve as the next director of Virginia Commonwealth University‘s Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, pending approval by the VCU Board of Visitors in September, according to a Monday announcement.

The first female director of Massey and the first Black woman to be named director of a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, Baskin will begin work Monday. She joined VCU in February 2025 as deputy director of research.

Additionally, she’s expected to be named the Lipman chair in oncology. Baskin will also serve as the associate dean for cancer innovation in the VCU School of Medicine, with appointments as professor in the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care in the Department of Internal Medicine, and professor in the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the School of Public Health.

Baskin succeeds Dr. Robert Winn, who left VCU in June following more than six years of service to serve as director of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.

Since it was designated an NCI facility in 1975, the Massey center has had five directors. In June 2023, Massey became the second center in the state to receive an NCI comprehensive cancer center designation. Baskin will oversee a center made up of 250 scientists and clinical investigators.

Described by VCU as “a world-renowned population scientist,” Baskin’s research looks at how behavioral, social and environmental factors influence cancer prevention, screening, treatment and survivorship. Recognized for her community engagement efforts, particularly with individuals who live in rural areas and the medically underserved, Baskin has led lifestyle interventions to improve cancer-related behaviors and health outcomes such as diet, physical activity and obesity.

“Dr. Baskin’s robust portfolio of research publications combined with her passion and drive for community-focused cancer research has positioned her well to become the next director of Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center,” VCU President Michael Rao said in a statement. “Throughout her career, especially in the past year as Massey’s deputy director, she has shown dedication to Massey being on the cutting edge of cancer research. She is a champion of the community-to-bench model, and will work hard so the cancer center has a direct impact on those in its catchment area.”

Baskin is a former president of the Society of Behavioral Medicine and sits on the board of the Association of American Medical Colleges and the Science of Community Outreach and Engagement Alliance.

Raised in Atlanta, Baskin lost her father to colorectal cancer during her senior year in high school. The loss, compounded by the loss of several other family members to cancer, inspired Baskin’s research in cancer prevention, early detection and mental health.

Baskin has been a principal investigator or primary leader of teams receiving more than $70 million in National Institutes of Health grants. She also served on several Cancer Center Support Grant, or CCSG, review panels. Baskin will lead Massey through the renewal of its CCSG and comprehensive-designated status.

“As a world-renowned scientist and counseling psychologist, Dr. Baskin’s extensive experience in identifying and working to reduce health disparities at the intersection of cancer prevention and mental health has made her a powerful advocate for VCU Health patients and their loved ones,” VCU Health System CEO Dr. Marlon Levy said in a statement.  “Given her distinguished career in leadership roles at prestigious universities throughout the country and her past year as deputy director of Massey, [it] is an enormous gain for VCU and VCU Health that she has stepped into this role.”

Baskin previously served as professor with tenure at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and as the deputy director, associate director for community outreach and engagement, vice chancellor for community health equity and associate director for health equity at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

Earlier in her career, Baskin served as the associate director of community outreach and engagement at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center as a professor with tenure in the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s medical school. She also previously served as a senior associate faculty member in the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University.

After earning a degree in psychology and sociology from Emory University, Baskin earned master’s and doctoral degrees from Georgia State University in community counseling and counseling psychology. She also completed a pediatric psychology fellowship at Emory University in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, as well as two National Institutes of Health fellowships at the National Cancer Institute and Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research.