The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network awarded nine grants to outstanding scientists who will undertake novel research in the field of pancreatic cancer.
Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA
Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc)
“By recruiting the brightest scientists with the most novel ideas, we continue to build a broad research community,” said Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, President and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. “These award recipients are poised to make significant scientific and clinical discoveries to the field, and we look forward to tracking their progress.”
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network–AACR joint Research Grants Program was introduced in 2003 and has since awarded over $30 million to support promising scientists and accelerate pancreatic cancer research. Grant recipients are selected through a competitive peer-review process, and grantees receive professional support as part of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s Community for Progress in conjunction with their funding.
“Early-career investigators are absolutely vital to the future progress against all types of cancer,” said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), CEO of the AACR. “They are the source of many novel, ambitious ideas that move the field forward. The AACR is delighted to continue its partnership with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to help fund early-career investigators undertaking innovative projects that have the potential to lead to major breakthroughs that will prevent, detect, and treat pancreatic cancer, one of the [deadliest] of all cancers.”
Pathway to Leadership Grants
The 2016 Pancreatic Cancer Action Network–AACR Pathway to Leadership Grants are up to 5 years in duration, totaling $600,000. These grants are designed to support the future leadership of pancreatic cancer research by funding outstanding early-career investigators in a postdoctoral, mentored research position and continuing through successful transition to independence. This year’s recipients are:
- Ethan Abel, PhD, University of Michigan
“The Role and Regulation of HNF1A in Pancreatic Cancer Cells” - Rohit Chandwani, MD, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
“The Epigenetic Plasticity of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma” - Wantong Yao, MD, PhD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Supported in memory of Carina Rogerson
“Syndecan-1 Is a Novel Regulator for Nutrient Salvage Pathway”
Last year, the 2015 Pancreatic Cancer Action Network–AACR Pathway to Leadership Grant was awarded to:
- Kirsten L. Bryant, PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
“Exploiting Pancreatic Cancer Cell Metabolism for Therapeutic Gain”
Career Development Awards
The 2016 Pancreatic Cancer Action Network–AACR Career Development Awards are 2-year grants of $200,000 that are designed to attract and support early-career scientists as they conduct pancreatic cancer research and establish successful career paths in the field. This year’s recipients are:
- Shuibing Chen, PhD, Weill Cornell Medical College
“Targeting Chemoresistant Stem Cells in Pancreatic Cancer” - Kian-Huat Lim, MD, PhD, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis
Supported in honor of Laurie MacCaskill
“Deactivating the Innate Immune Defense Mechanism of Pancreatic Cancer” - Rushika M. Perera, PhD, University of California, San Francisco
Supported in memory of Skip Viragh
“Targeting Nutrient Scavenging Pathways That Fuel Pancreatic Cancer Growth” - Amber Simpson, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
“CT Texture Analysis: A Radiomics Approach to Predicting Malignancy in Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms” - Christopher Vakoc, MD, PhD, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Supported by The Daniel and Janet Mordecai Foundation
“Enhancer Reprogramming as a Driver of Pancreatic Cancer Progression” ■
Ethan Abel, PhD
Rohit Chandwani, MD, PhD
Wantong Yao, MD, PhD
Kirsten L. Bryant,
PhD
Shuibing Chen,
PhD
Kian-Huat Lim, MD, PhD
Rushika M. Perera, PhD
Amber Simpson, PhD
Christopher Vakoc, MD, PhD
