Lexington Resident Courtney Horvath to be Honored by Regis College

During Regis College’s seventh annual Let It Shine Gala, Lexington resident Courtney Horvath ’06, PhD, DABT, will be honored with the prestigious Shining Example Award for her countless contributions to science and tireless advocacy of childhood cancer research. Dr. Horvath is currently the Head of Strategy, Planning and Operations for Translational Medicine at Novartis. During her career, she has been involved in the development of biopharmaceuticals across various therapeutic areas and modalities.

In 2020, Dr. Horvath’s son Colby, then eight, was diagnosed with cancer. Despite her extensive background in toxicology, Dr. Horvath was surprised to learn that her son would be treated with incredibly toxic chemotherapy that was developed and approved for use in the 1950s to 1970s. In March, she shared Colby’s story in a TEDx Talk called “Surviving the Cure” which addresses the topic of childhood cancer and toxicity. Colby was also featured on ABC’s Good Morning America during which he was named as one of the godchildren of the newest Disney Cruise ship, through Make-A-Wish America.

As the mother of a pediatric cancer survivor, Dr. Horvath was inspired to become a passionate advocate for childhood cancer research and is now a national speaker on this topic.

Her volunteer service includes membership on the board of directors of The Pablove Foundation, a Los Angeles based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that “improves the lives of kids living with cancer through the arts and invests in underfunded, cutting-edge pediatric cancer research.” Dr. Horvath also serves on the scientific advisory board of Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI) THRIVE program. Since Colby’s diagnosis, Dr. Horvath and her family have raised over $50,000 to fund a Powered by Pablove pediatric cancer research grant in Colby’s honor and started a toy drive to benefit the pediatric oncology unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. Over two holiday seasons, they have delivered over 3,000 toys and $14,000 in gift cards to support families battling cancer.

“Courtney is one of many Regis graduates who used the knowledge they obtained at the university to make a fundamental difference in the lives of others, specifically children diagnosed with cancer,” said Antoinette Hays, PhD, RN. “At Regis, students are provided intensive classroom and lab instruction and for many, clinicals at renowned medical facilities such as Mass General, Boston Children’s Hospital and more. As a mother and accomplished scientist, Dr. Horvath is an inspiration to the Regis community, in particular our students who also aspire to become leaders in a STEM field. The university is honored to recognize Dr. Horvath with its prestigious Shining Example Award for exemplifying our core values and leading by example.”

“My time at Regis was so formative in who I have become as a scientist, leader, and advocate,” said Dr. Horvath. “The faculty at Regis saw potential in me that I never saw in myself and gave me the foundation and confidence to pursue my PhD and, ultimately, a successful career in research.”

Dr. Horvath graduated from the National Ballet School of Canada and after dancing professionally, enrolled at Regis where she graduated as the valedictorian in 2006 with a major in biology and minor in chemistry. She then earned her doctorate from Dartmouth College, where her research garnered attention from the scientific community and the media. Dr. Horvath began her career in biopharma at Sanofi-Genzyme as a board-certified toxicologist and later moved to Novartis, where she is now a key leader of strategic projects. While at Novartis, she also served as safety assessment expert and preclinical safety global coordinator.

Dr. Horvath has received numerous awards, recognitions and honors such as recipient of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Karen Wetterhahn Memorial Award; Training Fellow, NIEHS Superfund Basic Research program training grant; and recipient of the Vera W. Hudson and Elizabeth K. Weisburger Scholarship Endowment Fund Student Award from the Society of Toxicology.

The Shining Example Award was established in 2016 at the inaugural Let It Shine Regis Gala to honor and recognize a person (or group) who exemplifies the core values of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, Regis’ founders. Those core values include gracious hospitality, love and service of the Dear Neighbor without distinction, peaceful resolution of conflict, and care for the Earth. Each year, the recipient of the Shining Example Award is someone who truly leads by example and inspires members of the Regis community. Previous Shining Example Award recipients include Virginia Pyne Kaneb '57, Marshall M. Sloane, William S. Mosakowski, Patricia A. D’Amore ’73, and Thomas P. O’Neill III.