Keynote Speakers

Pittsburgh is known as “The City of Bridges” because of the 446 bridges connecting the city’s residents across its many creeks, valleys, and, of course, three majestic rivers.

We at Pittsburgh Metsquerade decided early on that this is a perfect metaphor for what we’re trying to do – bridge the gaps between patients living with MBC and early-stage breast-cancer patients and allies, as well as connect the many different communities affected by MBC. Our group is all-inclusive, and our strongest message is #WeAreAllInThisTogether.

We hope through this event to inspire others to continue this dialogue and reach across distances long after the evening of the Pittsburgh Metsquerade draws to a close.

Barbara Bigelow

Barbara has had breast cancer for 20 years, the last 7 as metastatic.

A vocal advocate for patient research, she herself was in a clinical trial for immunotherapy that landed her in the hospital for 2 months. Along the way she has also survived lung cancer and melanoma.

Today she is the Vice President of Metavivor, committed to raising money to fund metastatic breast cancer research. She also blogs about her experiences using humor to inspire hope for others at The Cancer Chronicles.  There she shares her love of Lucy, Calvin and Hobbes and The Life of Pi.

You may recognize her from the registration desk at the DC Stampede, the 2018 Elements Campaign with her daughter Bridget for #thisismbc, the Count Me In video for the MBC Project, live streaming from LLBC or walking the runway in New York Fashion Week 2019 (#notjustone).

Dr. Adrian Lee

Dr. Adrian Lee is the Pittsburgh Foundation Chair and Director of the Institute for Precision Medicine (IPM), a joint effort by the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC to move biomedical research into personalized well-being and clinical care. He is also Professor of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology and Human Genetics at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. Dr. Lee received B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in England, and came to San Antonio, Texas for his postdoctoral studies. He was subsequently recruited to Baylor College of Medicine and to the University of Pittsburgh in 2010.


The goal of Dr. Lee’s research laboratory is to translate basic cell and molecular research findings into the understanding and treatment of breast cancer. Dr Lee has published over 200 peer reviewed research articles.  His laboratory is supported by funding from the NIH, Department of Defense, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and other sources. Dr. Lee serves on numerous national peer-review committees and is on the Editorial Board of several journals. In 2018 Dr. Lee was awarded the Terri L Chapman award from Susan G. Komen, the PNC Elsie Hillman Distinguished Scholar award, and the University of Pittsburgh Biomedical Graduate Scholar Association (BGSA) Distinguished Mentor Award.