AACR Acknowledges Minority Leaders with Minority-Serving Institution Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research Awards

Newswise — The American Association for Cancer Research will recognize leaders in the minority cancer community with the Minority-Serving Institution Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research Awards. The 25 recipients will be honored at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010, held April 17-21 in Washington, D.C.

The Minority-Serving Institution Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research Awards are given to scientists who are working at the level of assistant professor or above at a minority-serving institution and who are engaged in meritorious basic, clinical, translational or epidemiological cancer research. Minority-serving institutions include historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities and other post-secondary institutions as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.

The award is intended to increase the scientific knowledge base of faculty members at minority-serving institutions, to encourage them in their research and to assist in inspiring students to pursue careers in cancer research. It is supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute’s Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities.

The recipients of the 2010 Minority-Serving Institution Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research Awards include:

• Caroline B. Appleyard, Ph.D., Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, Puerto RicoAbstract #1563. Role of EGFR during the transition of inflammation to dysplasia in colitis-associated colon cancer model.

• Tiffany W. Ardley, M.S., Ph.D., Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, Fla. Abstract #735. Synthesis of substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines as anticancer agents.

• Hareesh Babu Bhaskaran Nair, Ph.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas Abstract #4607. Novel role of PARP4 in hormone-dependent breast cancer progression and metastasis.

• Carmen J. Buxó, Ph.D., University of Puerto Rico School of Public Health, San Juan, Puerto Rico

• Bandana Chatterjee, Ph.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas Abstract #1252. Interacting role of the androgen receptor and the corepressor Alien in the proliferation inhibition of prostate cancer cells.

• Zhenbang Chen, Ph.D., Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tenn.Abstract #3200. A Novel Functional Role of ARF in Prostate Cancer.

• Linda Connelly, Ph.D., University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Pharmacy, Hilo, HawaiiAbstract #1352. Macrophage specific regulation reveals both pro- and anti- tumor effects of NF-kappaB during mammary tumor progression.

• Karen D. Cowden Dahl, Ph.D., The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M.

• Sakina E. Eltom, D.V.M., Ph.D., Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tenn.Abstract #4077. Knockdown of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor altered tumorigenic properties of human breast carcinoma cell lines.

• Cimona V. Hinton, Ph.D., Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Ga.Abstract #3182. Decreased expression of PTEN enhances CXCR4-mediated proliferation and tumorigenesis in prostate cancer cells.

• Addanki P. Kumar, Ph.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas Abstract #4989. FLIP transcriptional deregulation: A potential mechanism for development of androgen independent prostate cancer.Abstract #3047. 2-Methoxyestradiol inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis through modulation of miR-7/FLIP signaling in prostate cancer cells.Abstract #5389. Enhanced inhibition of proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells by combination of Gemcitabine and Phellodendron amurense bark extract: target identification.

• Dana R. Marshall, Ph.D., Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tenn.

• Patrick M. Martin, Ph.D., North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University, Greensboro, N.C. Abstract #777. Rosehip (Rosa canina) extracts prevent Akt-mediated cell proliferation in glioblastoma cells.Abstract # 5138. The regulation of CD44 expression in malignant brain tumor cells.

• Michelle M. Martínez-Montemayor, Ph.D., University Central del Caribe, Bayamón, Puerto Rico Abstract #5725. Differential effects of dietary soy isoflavones on cancer metastasis.

• Anita K. Patlolla, Ph.D., Jackson State University, Jackson, Miss. Abstract #4381. Biochemical and histopathological evaluation of mice exposed to functionalized single-walled carbon nanotube.

• Saleh M.M. Rahman, Ph.D., M.P.H., Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, Fla.

• Pothana Saikumar, Ph.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas Abstract #679. Targeting LC3-SQSTM1 (p62) signaling axis to treat apoptosis-resistant and metastatic breast cancers.

• Temesgen Samuel, D.V.M., Ph.D., Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee, Ala. Abstract # 2490. The flavonoid quercetin interferes with the activity of anti-microtubule drugs.

• Berrin Serdar, M.D., Ph.D., Florida International University, Miami, Fla.Abstract #4696. Increased levels of urinary 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHPyr) after 6 hours of work among roofers in South Florida.

• Marta Torroella-Kouri, Ph.D., University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Fla. Abstract #3816. Blood monocytes from tumor-bearing mice exhibit a mixture of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes and downregulate differentiation markers.

• Kassim Traore, Ph.D., Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, N.C. Abstract #4378. Aflatoxin B1 inhibits LPS-induced TNF-alpha production in RAW 264.7 cells.

• Ratna K. Vadlamudi, Ph.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas Abstract #4604. Roscovitine modulates ERα/ERβ ratio: A novel means to target hormonal therapy resistance. Abstract #4613. Targeting ER-KDM1 axis to sensitize therapy resistant breast cancer cells to hormonal therapy.Abstract #3669. PELP1: A novel therapeutic target for ovarian cancer progression and metastasis.

• Luis E. Vázquez-Quiñonez, Ph.D., Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico Abstract #275. The shedding of epidermal growth factor receptor is mediated by MMP-2 or MMP-9 and stimulated by fibronectin in MDA-MB-468 cells.

• Pablo E. Vivas-Mejía, Ph.D., University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus, San Juan, Puerto RicoAbstract #677. Targeting the survin splice variant 2B in taxane-resistant ovarian cancer.Abstract #5468. JNK-1 Inhibition leads to antitumor activity in ovarian cancer.

• Clement G. Yedjou, Ph.D., Jackson State University, Jackson, Miss. Abstract #3582. In vitro pharmacological studies of water soluble garlic extract (WSGE) in the management of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).

Download interviews with cancer researchers and recordings of the teleconferences by subscribing to the AACR Scientific Podcasts via iTunes (http://www.aacr.org/itunes) or an RSS Reader (http://www.aacr.org/rss).

The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, the AACR is the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes 31,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and more than 90 other countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants, research fellowship and career development awards. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts more than 17,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment and patient care. The AACR publishes six major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention; and Cancer Prevention Research. The AACR also publishes CR, a magazine for cancer survivors and their families, patient advocates, physicians and scientists. CR provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship and advocacy.