FOUNDER & LEADERSHIP
A builder’s determination.
A patient’s perspective.
Sean Bassik brings entrepreneurial leadership, commercial judgment, and a commitment to execution to a deeply personal scientific mission.
SEAN BASSIK · FOUNDER
Business discipline.
Personal conviction.
Sean Bassik is an entrepreneur, investor, and business operator with experience building and leading ventures across commerce, collectibles, and technology. His work spans evaluating opportunities, structuring transactions, developing products, and managing the operational details that turn a business strategy into results.
He brings an analytical approach to risk, a practical understanding of commercial economics, and a direct style of leadership. Across his work, the emphasis is on sound judgment, capable teams, disciplined execution, and accountability.
His experience with metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer gave that business discipline a deeply personal purpose. He founded this initiative to help promising scientific ideas receive the attention, resources, and collaboration needed for responsible evaluation.
At the institute, Sean’s focus is on building an enduring organization: bringing expertise together, aligning philanthropic support with credible research priorities, and establishing clear expectations for progress. His ambition is to apply the urgency and resourcefulness of an entrepreneur to advancing neuroendocrine cancer research, with scientific rigor guiding every step.
Read the institute’s missionMEDICAL LEADERSHIP
Global leadership in
neuroendocrine oncology.
Eric Liu, MD
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
Dr. Eric Liu is an internationally recognized leader in neuroendocrine oncology and a pioneering surgical oncologist dedicated to advancing the diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of neuroendocrine tumors. His career combines specialized clinical expertise, research, and a commitment to improving care for people living with these complex cancers.
A board-certified surgeon, Dr. Liu earned his medical degree at Columbia University and completed surgical residency training at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia. His fellowship training includes the National Institutes of Health and Uppsala University Hospital in Sweden, where he trained with neuroendocrine research pioneer Dr. Kjell Öberg.
He previously established and directed a neuroendocrine tumor center at Vanderbilt and helped develop dedicated neuroendocrine care programs in Denver. His contributions include early U.S. clinical research using gallium-68 PET imaging to detect neuroendocrine tumors. As co-founder of The Healing NET Foundation, he has also worked to strengthen physician education, multidisciplinary collaboration, and patient advocacy.
As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Liu brings this depth of expertise and international perspective to the institute’s mission. His clinical and scientific experience informs its commitment to rigorous research, responsible innovation, and advances that can make a meaningful difference for patients.
View official clinical biographyProfessional affiliations and prior appointments are provided for biographical context and do not imply institutional partnerships or endorsements. The institute does not provide clinical care.
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
Investing in
a lasting mission.
David Persin
INVESTMENT MANAGER
RBC Wealth Management
David Persin serves as Investment Manager for the foundation. A Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor and Portfolio Director at RBC Wealth Management, he brings experience developing investment recommendations around clearly defined goals, priorities, and financial needs.
David joined RBC Wealth Management in 2016 after 19 years with Merrill Lynch. He holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Hayward, and a Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law.
His role supports the foundation’s long-term investment planning and the careful stewardship of resources intended to advance its research mission.
RBC Wealth Management is identified as David’s professional affiliation. Its inclusion does not imply corporate sponsorship or endorsement of the foundation.