The world lost two giants of cancer research in 2020: Clara Bloomfield, MD, and Albert de la Chapelle, PhD, MD. The married couple came to the OSUCCC – James in 1997 and helped lead a period of tremendous growth, as the hospital and research center became recognized as world leaders. Dr. Bloomfield initially served as director of the comprehensive cancer center, and Dr. de la Chapelle led the new and blossoming cancer genetics program. Two of their many disciples and mentees — Heather Hampel, MD, LGC, and Ann-Kathrin Eisfeld, MD — were among the young researchers and physicians around the world inspired by Bloomfield and de la Chapelle. Hampel and Eisfeld share more stories from Bloomfield and de la Chapelle’s legendary careers on The James Cancer-Free World Podcast. Listen via the video player above or on Soundcloud. “The holy grail for geneticists is discovering the genetic mutation that causes a disease,” says Hampel, a geneticist who worked closely with de la Chapelle. Many researchers go their entire careers without success, “but Albert discovered more than 14,” she explains, including the genetic mutation that causes colorectal cancer. Eisfeld describes Bloomfield’s many achievements in leukemia research, including her discovery of the Philadelphia syndrome, a mutation that leads to a form of leukemia. She also talks about how she broke down barriers and “paved the way” by mentoring a new generation of female physicians and scientists. A few years ago, Dr. Bloomfield was asked to describe her legacy. “I never think of that. I think about what I have to do today. What’s next.”