Leading researchers honored for progress in cancer prevention, detection and treatment

Arul Chinnaiyan, M.D., Ph.D., S.P. Hicks Endowed Professor of Pathology and professor of pathology and urology at the University of Michigan Medical School, will be honored with the 28th Annual AACR Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cancer Research, for his promising research contributions to cancer biology. Chinnaiyan’s research focuses on using genomic, proteomic, and bioinformatic approaches to better understand the biology of cancer and to uncover biomarkers. The work of his laboratory has far-reaching implications for the future of diagnosis and therapy for prostate and many other types of cancer. The AACR established this award in 1979 to recognize a young investigator for meritorious achievements in cancer research. Chinnaiyan’s award lecture will take place on Wednesday, April 16th at 8:00 a.m. in Room 20A-C of the convention center.

Steven R. Tannenbaum, Ph.D., Underwood-Prescott professor of toxicology, biological engineering division; and professor of chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is the recipient of the Second Annual AACR-CICR Award for Outstanding Achievement in Chemistry in Cancer Research. The award was established in 2007 by the AACR’s Chemistry in Cancer Research Working Group, through the support of GlaxoSmithKline, and honors novel and significant chemistry research which has led to important contributions to the field of cancer research. Tannenbaum’s study of chemistry as related to cancer has advanced our knowledge of chemical carcinogenesis, the molecular epidemiology of cancer, and more recently, anti-cancer drug development and evaluation. His award lecture will be presented on Sunday, April 13th at 5:30 p.m. in Room 20A-C of the convention center.

Ellen V. Sigal, Ph.D., chairperson of Friends of Cancer Research has been named the 2nd recipient of the AACR Margaret Foti Award for Leadership and Extraordinary Achievements in Cancer Research. The award, established last year to honor Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.) for her exemplary leadership of AACR as chief executive officer, recognizes a true champion of cancer research who embodies the sustained commitment of Margaret Foti to the prevention and cure of cancer. The Award is given to an individual whose leadership and extraordinary achievements in cancer research have made a major impact in the field. Such achievements may include contributions to the acceleration of progress in cancer research; raising national or international awareness of cancer research; or in other ways demonstrating a sustained commitment to cancer research. Sigal’s award lecture will take place on Sunday, April 13th at 8:15 a.m. in Halls G&H of the convention center.