Joseph Zuckerman

I'm fundraising in memory of Davide

In December 2021, one of my closest friends, Davide Giri, was killed in a random, senseless act of violence just 3 blocks from his NYC apartment. Davide was a fellow PhD student in my lab at Columbia University. A few years ahead of me in the program, he mentored me in my first few years. He was one of the most brilliant people I’ve ever worked with and had an incredible gift for explaining even the most complex concepts in an understandable way. I learned so much from him, yet he provided the same for countless other students. 

Outside of work, he was one of the most fun-loving people I’ve ever met. He never said no to a new experience, even if it meant he’d have to stay up all night working or wake up at the crack of dawn. Even though he worked more than anyone else, he was always suggesting a dinner, a party, or a night out in NYC. He made every experience more fun, whether it was rolling dice on a crowded bar table or playing mini golf in the lab at 3AM. 

Davide never backed down from a challenge, and he inspires me every day as I train for the NYC Marathon.   Shortly before he passed, a close family friend of Davide was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer; they passed not long after Davide did. As a scientist, Davide believed in the power of research. For this reason, I’m proud to be fundraising for the Lustgarten Foundation, in memory of Davide and in honor of his family. 

Please help me support pancreatic cancer research by making a donation to the Lustgarten Foundation through my personal page for the 2024 TCS NEW YORK CITY MARATHON. 100% of your contribution will help drive bold, innovative research with the singular mission of transforming pancreatic cancer into a curable disease.