Scientists Honored For Advances In Cancer Research
India-West News Desk
SAN DIEGO, CA- The Society of American Asian Scientists in Cancer Research honored nine Indian American researchers during the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting held here. The awards recognized contributions to cancer diagnosis, treatment, prevention, immunotherapy and population health research.
Several of the scientists are also involved in collaborations with institutions in India focused on research partnerships, technology transfer and cancer-care initiatives.
The awards were presented by Dr. Rajvir Dahiya, president of SAASCR and professor emeritus at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, and Dr. Dharam Pal Chauhan, secretary of SAASCR and retired professor at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine on April 19.
Founded in California in 2004, SAASCR is a non-profit organization comprising more than 5,000 researchers of Asian origin working in cancer research across the United States and Canada.
The awardees:
Dr. Gagan Deep, professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, was recognized for his work in extracellular vesicle-based liquid biopsy technologies for precision medicine. His research focuses on minimally invasive diagnostic approaches for cancer and aging-related diseases.
Dr. Muthusamy Thangaraju, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, was honored for research on breast and colon cancer prevention and treatment, including studies on metabolites and DNA methylation in cancer biology.
Dr. Natarajan Aravindan, professor of physiological sciences at Oklahoma State University and Kerr Endowed Chair for Biomedical Laser and Bio-photonics Research, was recognized for his work in molecular oncology and radiation biology, particularly studies involving tumor resistance and pediatric cancers.
Dr. Suresh K. Alahari, Fred G. Brazda Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, was honored for contributions to cancer biology and molecular medicine. He is also a member of the LSU-LCMC Cancer Center.
Dr. Manjeet K. Rao, professor and deputy director of the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute at UT Health San Antonio, was recognized for translational research involving immune-oncology, cancer vaccines and drug development in pediatric and adult cancers.
Dr. Erxi Wu, professor at Baylor College of Medicine and chief of neuro-oncology research at the Baylor Scott & White Health Neuroscience Institute, was honored for his work in cancer biology and neuro-oncology research, including cancer target discovery initiatives.
Dr. Sattva Neelapu, professor in the Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, was recognized for his work in cancer immunotherapy and the clinical development of CAR T-cell therapies for lymphoma treatment.
Dr. Rafi Ahmed, professor and director of the Emory Vaccine Center at Emory University School of Medicine, was honored for research in immunology, including studies on memory T-cell differentiation and antiviral immune responses.
Dr. Shobha Srinivasan, senior advisor in the Office of the Director at the National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, was recognized for her work on cancer-control programs and community-based health initiatives aimed at reducing health disparities.
