AACR recognizes several researchers

Issue: June 10, 2015

Several clinicians and researchers were recognized during the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, held April 18-22 in Philadelphia.

Carl H. June, MD, professor in immunotherapy at Perelman School of Medicine and director of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies at University of Pennsylvania, received the AACR-Cancer Research Institute Lloyd J. Old Award in Cancer Immunology. June was recognized for his efforts related to the development of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy.

Mario R. Capecchi, PhD, professor of biology and human genetics at The University of Utah School of Medicine and an investigator with Huntsman Cancer Institute, received the AACR’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Research. Capecchi’s work in the development of gene-targeting technology in mice improved the understanding of the function of cancer genes, as well as the mechanisms of cancer development.

Donald S. Coffey, PhD, professor of urology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, received the Margaret Foti Award for Leadership and Extraordinary Achievements in Cancer Research.

Owen N. Witte, MD, founding director of the Eli & Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Research and professor of microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics at University of California, Los Angeles, received the G.H.A. Clowes Memorial Award. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in basic cancer research.

Elizabeth M. Jaffee, MD, deputy director of Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, received the AACR-Joseph H. Burchenal Award for Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Cancer Research. Jaffee was recognized for her contributions to cancer immunology.

Christopher R. Vakoc, MD, PhD, assistant professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, received the AACR Outstanding Achievement in Cancer Research Award. Vakoc was recognized for his discoveries in the areas of epigenetics and cancer biology.