Morris Massry is the vice president and director of the University at Albany Foundation. He assisted in the acquisition of the former Sterling Winthrop property in East Greenbush for expansion of UAlbany's School of Public Health, and continues to serve as a member of the East Campus steering committee. In addition, he was involved with UAlbany's Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics Honorary Committee for the Wall of Memory and Hope. Massry and his wife Esther have donated $500,000 to the University in support of cancer research.

"The researchers of the Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics are dedicated to eradicating the incidence of cancer," said Susan Herbst, Officer in Charge and Provost at UAlbany. "This conference center plays an important part in that goal as a focal point for seminars, symposia, and other scholarly interactions among researchers from our region and beyond. We are grateful to the commitment of Morris and Esther Massry, and are pleased to dedicate this facility in their honor."

"Morris and Esther Massry's commitment to advance the mission of the University at Albany is inspiring," said George M. Philip, Chairman of the University Council and Officer in Charge designate. "It is an honor to help dedicate the Massry Conference Center at the Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics in recognition of their generous support of cancer research at UAlbany."

"I would like to thank Morris and Esther for their generous support of UAlbany's cancer research center," said Bruno, who serves as Honorary Chairman for the Wall of Memory and Hope. "I also commend Morris for his leadership in helping to develop this Center and what it has become in attracting world class researchers and funding from our nation's top research foundations and institutes."

"I would like to personally thank Morris and Esther Massry for their commitment to cancer research and to the East Campus," said George R. Hearst III, President of the University at Albany Foundation.  "The East Campus is devoted to biotech research and the public health sciences. It is with the generous support of people such as the Massrys that the University is able to move forward with the goal of finding a cure for cancer."

"On behalf of my family, I thank the University at Albany for this wonderful honor," said Morris Massry. "It is our hope that the Massry Conference Center will serve as a gathering place for faculty, researchers and students to discuss solutions to the public health issues of our time."

"On behalf of the Cancer Center, I would like to express my profound appreciation for the support and dedication of Morris and Esther Massry," said Paulette McCormick, Director of Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics. "This building is one of the reasons why the University is able to attract nationally recognized cancer researchers to the region. It is through the efforts of people such as the Massrys that this facility is a reality, serving as a symbol of hope for all those afflicted with cancer."

The University at Albany's Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics officially opened its doors on October 18, 2005, combining UAlbany research expertise in genomics and biomedical sciences with state-of-the-art technology in a new 113,000 square- foot facility. The Center, which hosts scientists committed to discovering the genetic origins of cancer and who conduct research into finding a cure for the disease, is part of New York State's Gen*NY*Sis (Generating Employment Through New York Science) program, a $500 million initiative in government and private investment to lure new life science industries to the state and make New York a leader in creating science and technology jobs.