The focus of Dr. Tansey’s research is a protein known to
contribute to the growth of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
Dr. Tansey and his team have established that normal cells control
the levels of this protein, Myc, by destroying it soon after synthesis,
but that this process is abnormal in lymphomas, leading to elevated
levels of Myc in these tumor cells. Dr. Tansey has been studying
the mechanisms that cells use to control Myc destruction and how
this process goes awry in cancer.
“
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society believes that the work of these
exceptional scholars and the nearly 400 gifted scientists we are
supporting around the world will result in substantial improvement
in the lives of patients afflicted with leukemia, lymphoma, or
myeloma,” said Marshall A. Lichtman, M.D., the Society’s
Executive Vice President of Research and Medical Programs. “That
is our mission, that is our goal and gifted scientists such as
these five Stohlman Scholars will accomplish the job, if we provide
them with the means.”
In addition to Dr. Tansey, this year’s Stohlman Scholars
include the following individuals: John Byrd, M.D., professor,
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.;
Margaret Goodell, Ph.D., associate professor, and director of the
Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (STaR) Center at Baylor College
of Medicine, Houston, TX; Wei Gu, Ph.D., associate professor, College
of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY;
and Aaron Rapoport, M.D., associate professor, Greenebaum Cancer
Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD. The Stohlman Scholar
Award is given in memory of Frederick Stohlman Jr., M.D., a major
figure in stem cell physiology and blood cell cancer research.
About Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is a private, non-profit research
institution with a strong educational mission. Under the leadership
of President Bruce Stillman, Ph.D., a member of the National Academy
of Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Society (London), more than
330 scientists at the Laboratory conduct groundbreaking research
in cancer, neurobiology, plant genetics, and bioinformatics. Cold
Spring Harbor Laboratory is one of the top rated National Cancer
Institute-designated research centers in the U.S.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society®, headquartered in White
Plains, NY, with 66 chapters in the United States and Canada, is
the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated
to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient
services. The Society’s mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma,
Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of
life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949,
the Society has invested more than $424 million in research specifically
targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the
Society made over 2.5 million contacts with patients, caregivers
and healthcare professionals.
For more information about blood cancer, visit www.LLS.org or call
the Society’s Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center
staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators
who provide information, support and resources to patients and
their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are
available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6
p.m. ET.
