Inga-Marie Schaefer, MD, is Assistant Professor in Pathology at Harvard Medical School and Associate Pathologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Schaefer is also Affiliate Faculty in the Department of Pathology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Associate Member of the Broad Institute.
Dr. Schaefer served on the Board of Directors of CTOS, and is a member of the USCAP/IAP, ASIP, AACR, SARC, and an editorial board member of Genes, Chromosomes & Cancer.
Dr. Schaefer earned her medical degree (MD) from the Georg-August University in Göttingen, Germany, and the University of Bern, Switzerland. She trained in Anatomic Pathology at the University Hospital Göttingen and at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. During her postdoctoral studies at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, she characterized mechanisms of GIST genomic progression and identified early inactivation of the MAX tumor suppressor as recurrent event in GIST. In 2018, she obtained board certification in Anatomic Pathology and became faculty in the Department of Pathology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Schaefer leads a research program centered on the biology, genetics, and molecular mechanisms of sarcomas with the goal to develop novel therapeutics. Dr. Schaefer has been awarded the Sperling Family Fellowship in Precision Healthcare, the Liddy Shriver Early Career Research Award, the Fred Sanfilippo-ASIP Visiting Lectureship Award, and several research grants from the NIH, SARC, the Sarcoma Foundation of America, the Pablove Foundation, and the American Cancer Society.
Quentin graduated from Stonehill College in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. Quentin is passionate about science and asking fundamental research questions. He joined the Schaefer Lab in 2022 as a Research Assistant and is working on cell cycle biology and targeted approaches in sarcoma research.
Shannon graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and two minors in Chemistry and Biochemistry. She followed her passion for science and signaling pathways and desired to further develop to her research skills, as well as explore the MD-PhD career. Shannon was thrilled to have the opportunity and take the leap to travel across the country to join the Schaefer lab in 2025 as a Research Assistant. She is excited to acquire new techniques, gain deeper understanding of what cancer research entails, and play a role in improving patients’ lives through investigating signaling pathways related to sarcoma research.
Samantha graduated from Boston College in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. Samantha is excited about contributing to the knowledge surrounding sarcoma research to gain insight into improving future care. She joined the Schaefer Lab in 2023 as a Research Assistant and is working on elucidating growth promoting pathways and opportunities for therapeutic targeting in GIST and other sarcomas.
Stephan is graduating from Heinrich-Heine University in Düsseldorf, Germany in 2025 with a degree in medicine. He’s been working on his PhD in molecular immunology since 2020. He joined the Schaefer Lab in 2024 as research trainee to grow his expertise in cancer research and advance his scientific skills. His efforts are dedicated to developing a better understanding of the molecular underpinnings of GIST and sarcomas with complex karyotypes.
Thomas is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing candidate at Regis College, on track to graduate in May 2025. As an active campus leader and recipient of multiple academic awards, Thomas is committed to advancing care and contributing significantly to sarcoma research. He is beyond excited to be joining the Schaefer Lab this summer to enhance his laboratory techniques.
Cristy is graduating from Amherst College in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Law, Jurisprudence and Social Thought double major. Cristy is excited to acquire more research skills and learn more about sarcoma research. She joined the Schaefer Lab in 2023 as a Research Trainee and is helping advance insights into biologic vulnerabilities in GIST and other sarcomas.