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research Society funds innovative cancer researchers Researchers who are working on their first independent project have stiff financial competition because the decreasing federal budget for National Institutes of Health research grants causes more funding to only go to senior investigators. The Society recognizes the ability of these junior investigators to bring fresh ideas to their fields and financially supports these scientists at a critical time in their careers, when they are trying to establish themselves with their own projects.  Crisyln D'Souza-Schorey (shown right), PhD, working with the University of Notre Dame, was awarded a Society research scholar grant to start her first independent project. Dr. D'Souza-Schorey's grant focuses on epithelial cells, which many cancers develop from, including carcinomas of the colon, kidney, breast, ovary, and prostate. Her research team is trying to determine what causes these cells to become mobile and migrate in the body.
Her grant, larger than most others out there at the time of her application, allowed her team to achieve all of the goals outlined for the project. "This serves as a stepping stone for other types of funding," she says. Since 2002, her team has published 12 research papers and has been invited to write 2 book chapters and 3 reviews on the subject area of her grant.  Dorraya El-Ashry (shown left), PhD, of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, is another junior investigator that was awarded Society funding for her first independent project from 2000--2005. Dr. El-Ashry researches estrogen receptors in breast cancer. If a breast tumor has an estrogen receptor, it will respond to hormonal therapies, like tamoxifen. When a tumor lacks an estrogen receptor, it is considered to be a negative estrogen receptor tumor, in which case the patient will need to be treated with more toxic chemotherapies.
Her team studied how estrogen receptor negative tumors form and determined how an estrogen receptor positive tumor becomes negative, as well as how an estrogen receptor negative tumor could be converted to positive. Causing the switch from a receptor negative tumor to a positive one allows the patient to respond to less intensive treatment. Because of her success, she has been awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health, which in this cycle are only being awarded to 11% of people who applied. With this grant, she will be able to continue her research and prepare for clinical trials. Dr. D'Souza-Schorey and Dr. El-Ashry are grateful for the opportunity to jumpstart their projects with Society funding and are advocates for our research program. Both have spoken at Relay For Life events to connect with the public on the importance of cancer research. Dr. El-Ashry has also spoken at Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events and is going to Celebration on the Hill in September, the Society's nationwide advocacy event. "We are really ready to leap forward into making huge strides against cancer. We can't do it without funding," explains Dr. El-Ashry. "It's a great thing that ACS does to let these [junior investigators] get their foot in the door and allow them to get established and move on to other funding." The Society will continue to provide support to newly independent researchers. Through their dedication and fresh perspectives, we are making more progress in our fight against cancer. Other features in VOICES this month community focus: variety of Society programs offer support in multiple ways |
survivorship and patient services: youth can still sign up for this year's Young Adult Retreat |
education: organizations partner with the Society to improve workplace wellness |
advocacy: join us in Washington DC as a Celebration on the Hill supporter |
advocacy: statewide events allow volunteers to speak with legislators about cancer issues |
local area spotlight: Central Indiana Area Service Center staff and volunteers try to help patients traveling for treatment |
opportunities available: visit a Relay For Life event in July |
resource highlight: register today on the Cancer Survivor's Network |
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