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Katherine Y. Tossas, Ph.D., M.S., director of Catchment Area Data Analytics (CADA) and associate co-director of global oncology at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, is one of 20 mid-career scientists, engineers and medical professionals selected to the 2026-28 cohort of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s New Voices in Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine program.

“I am honored and humbled to be named to the cohort of New Voices from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,” Tossas said. “I very much look forward to bringing the lived experiences of historically underserved communities, along with my perspective as a cancer epidemiologist, to collaborate across disciplines to co-create solutions that are both rigorous and responsive to the communities most impacted both nationally and globally.”

“Dr. Tossas’s selection to this prestigious program reflects both her scientific excellence and her fierce advocacy for at-risk communities, on a local and global scale. Her work exemplifies our mission–connecting cutting-edge science with meaningful community impact and elevates VCU Massey to participate in the international dialogue of strategies to improve global challenges, particularly ensuring access to quality healthcare for all communities,” said Robert Winn, M.D., director and Lipman Chair in Oncology at Massey. “I congratulate Dr. Tossas on her selection to this prestigious program, and look forward to everything she will accomplish in this role.”

New Voices members are competitively selected through a merit-based, open competition. Each cohort serves a two-year term before transitioning to active alumni status. Cohort members meet virtually monthly and convene twice a year for in-person meetings. They are supported by National Academies staff, with guidance from an Advisory Committee of senior experts dedicated to the New Voices mission.  

Tossas is the first member of Massey to be selected to the cohort, now in its fourth national class. As associate director of global oncology, she spearheads programs connecting with cancer researchers around the world. An assistant professor and Harrison Endowed Scholar in the VCU Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tossas champions external community outreach initiatives, focusing on strengthening external community relationships and expanding outreach and engagement programs.

In her role as director of CADA, Tossas provides cancer-relevant, catchment-focused data to support Massey cancer research and Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) initiatives. CADA leverages external, publicly available datasets such as sociodemographic, cancer and other health behavior and services-related data from local, state and national sources to promote a better understanding of the catchment area.

New Voices aims to expand the expertise engaged in the work of the National Academies while developing a network of U.S. leaders to address national and global challenges. “Now more than ever, we need to nurture the next generation of talented American researchers, who are the future leaders of the U.S. science and innovation enterprise,” said Marica McNutt, president of the National Academy of Sciences. “I am pleased to welcome the 2026 New Voices members and excited to see all that they will accomplish.”  

The National Academies are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, engineering and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.

Tossas joins a cohort of 20 scientists, engineers, and medical professionals who cover an array of industries, including from organizations like the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Dow, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, National Science Foundation, Boston University, University of California Berkeley, and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

The new cohort will be supported by an advisory committee made up of senior experts; elected members of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Medicine; and program alumni who are dedicated to the New Voices mission.

With the addition of the new members, the New Voices network now has 80 members across four cohorts. Members of previous cohorts have served on over 40 National Academies committees and represented U.S. mid-career STEM voices in over 100 engagements at major international and domestic events as speakers, planning committee members, and attendees.

New Voices is funded in part by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the National Academy of Sciences Kobelt Fund, and the Shu and KC Chien Endowment.

Visit the New Voices website for more information about the members and the program. For more information about the National Academies, visit nationalacademies.org.  

Written by: Bill Potter