Newswise — Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.), chief executive officer of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), today received the inaugural Margaret Kripke Legend Award from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The Kripke Legend award recognizes scientific and medical leaders who have made extraordinary efforts to hire a diverse workforce, promote women to leadership roles, nominate women for awards and otherwise advance their careers. The award was established in honor of Margaret Kripke, Ph.D., a distinguished scientist who achieved many firsts for women at M. D. Anderson, culminating in her promotion to executive vice president and chief academic officer.
M. D. Anderson's Women Faculty Programs Office, which Kripke established before her retirement to improve recruitment, retention and development of women faculty, administers the award.
Foti was selected by an expert committee from among 25 nominees nationally. Foti has been CEO of AACR, the world's oldest and largest cancer professional organization, since 1982. She co-founded Women in Cancer Research (WICR), a group within AACR that supports the professional advancement and scientific achievements of women. WICR is open to men and women.
"Margaret Foti has never been shy about using her position to promote women in every way within the organization," said Elizabeth Travis, Ph.D., associate vice president for Women Faculty Programs at M. D. Anderson. "Her efforts are seen in the diversity of her workforce and the development of Women in Cancer Research. As one of her nominators noted, Dr. Foti 'has made a difference in the fight against cancer and is committed to helping other women do the same and to ensuring they get credit for their endeavors.'"
Foti will deliver the inaugural Kripke lecture, Exceptional Women Leaders: Indispensable to Progress in Cancer Science and Medicine, today at 4 p.m. in M. D. Anderson's Hickey Auditorium.
"This award is very special to me because I believe so strongly that we need to recognize the achievements that women have made to science and encourage the next generation of young women interested in careers in cancer research," Foti said. "I am very proud of the AACR's long history of advancing the cause of women in science. From the beginning, women have been very involved in our organization and have made many wonderful contributions over the years. Supporting their efforts is a top priority for me individually and for the AACR. It is really a tremendous honor to receive this award named after one of the true pioneers in this area."
Foti started at AACR as editorial assistant for the journal Cancer Research. She was promoted four years later, becoming the youngest managing editor of a major scientific journal in the United States. After progressing through several management roles, Foti was named the first executive director of the AACR.
Under her leadership, AACR has grown on all fronts. The association has added four journals, increased membership by 23,000 professionals and added 24 annual scientific meetings to its agenda. Throughout her career, Foti has strived to increase awareness of AACR and educate others of the latest discoveries made by scientists from all over the world.
Kripke's Legend
"Margaret Kripke has always been the strongest and most vocal advocate for women within M. D. Anderson and outside the institution," Travis said. "It was only fitting to name the award for her because she's accomplished so many firsts and pioneered the way for younger scientists."
Kripke is now special advisor to the provost at M. D. Anderson, capping a career with the institution that began in 1983 as professor and chair in the Department of Immunology. She was the first woman to chair a department, the first to advance to senior vice president and chief academic officer, and then to executive vice president and chief academic officer. Throughout her career, Kripke has been a committed mentor to up-and-coming women scientists and is considered a positive role model for those in cancer science and medicine, Travis said.
Kripke's pioneering research includes understanding the impact of ultraviolet radiation on skin cancer and developing photoimmunology, the study of light's impact on the immune system. Her accomplishments and leadership earned her appointment to the three-person President's Cancer Panel by President George W. Bush.
"By recognizing people who've made great strides to promote women, I expect this subject to become more visible and encourage others to contribute," Travis said. "Hopefully, this will inspire others to hire diverse workforces and initiate programs that the award recipients have implemented within their organizations."
The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes more than 28,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and 80 other countries. 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. 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. AACR publishes five major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Its most recent publication and its sixth major journal, Cancer Prevention Research, is dedicated exclusively to cancer prevention, from preclinical research to clinical trials. The AACR also publishes CR, a magazine for cancer survivors, patient advocates, their families, physicians, and scientists. CR provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship, and advocacy.
About M. D. Anderson
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston ranks as one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. M. D. Anderson is one of only 40 comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. For four of the past six years, including 2008, M. D. Anderson has ranked No. 1 in cancer care in "America's Best Hospitals," a survey published annually in U.S. News & World Report.
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