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National Academy of Science to honor immunotherapy pioneer
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The National Academy of Sciences will present the 2018 Jessie Stevenson Kovalenko Medal to James P. Allison, MD, in recognition of outstanding research in medical sciences.
Allison — chair of immunology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center — conducted basic research on the mechanisms of immune response that led him to invent checkpoint blockade as a cancer therapy.
“This richly deserved recognition of Jim Allison by the National Academy of Sciences highlights the importance of basic science research in the improvement of cancer treatment,” Peter W.T. Pisters, MD, president of MD Anderson, said in a press release. “Dr. Allison’s research insights and his drive to see them translated into a new therapeutic approach for patients inform our immunotherapy efforts. We are proud to have him as a leader and colleague at MD Anderson.”
Allison will receive medal April 29 during the National Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting. The honor includes a $25,000 prize and a $50,000 grant to support Allison’s research.
Allison also serves as executive director of the immunotherapy platform for MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program. He also serves as co-director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at MD Anderson.