A number of cancer organizations have voiced strong support for the Biden administration’s apparent pick for National Cancer Institute (NCI) director, Monica Bertagnolli, a distinguished surgical oncologist with a long career in clinical research.

It’s speculated that Bertagnolli, a surgical oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, will be selected to assume the role of permanent director at the NCI, though the White House has not yet confirmed its intention to nominate her. Bertagnolli would be the first woman to lead the institute if appointed.

Despite the lack of confirmation, several organizations, including the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), where Bertagnolli previously served as president from 2018 to 2019, voiced support for her reported nomination.

The AACI noted her advocacy for improving diversity in cancer trials across the board, while ASCO praised her “deep expertise in community-based cancer research.” Similarly, Ned Sharpless, who resigned as the institute’s director at the end of April, also applauded Bertagnolli’s career in surgical oncology research.