CCR researchers receive a range of HHS awards

In April 2024, three CCR researchers were honored with Departmental Awards from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These awards celebrate scientists and administrators for their exceptional contributions to the HHS mission.

W. Marston Linehan, M.D., Chief of the Urologic Oncology Branch, received the Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service. This award is the highest honor granted by the Department, and it recognizes employees for their sustained excellence throughout their career at HHS. In the early 1990s, Linehan and his group reported the discovery of the VHL gene, which, when mutated, causes the hereditary form of clear cell kidney cancer, von Hippel-Lindau disease. The gene is also involved in the common form of sporadic, non-familial clear cell kidney cancer. Linehan’s work led others to describe the VHL gene pathway and develop a treatment for von Hippel-Lindau disease to improve the quality of life for patients.

Andre Nussenzweig, Ph.D., Chief of the Laboratory of Genome Integrity, received the HHS Career Achievement Award. This award recognizes HHS employees with ten or more years at HHS for their dedication to the Department. Nussenzweig is being honored for his ground-breaking advances in understanding molecular pathways that maintain genome stability. Today, he is one of the world's leading authorities and contributors to the study of DNA repair.

Brigitte C. Widemann, M.D., Chief of the Pediatric Oncology Branch (POB), received the Secretary’s Award for Meritorious Service. This award recognizes HHS employees for their achievements and for inspiring others in the field to improve their performance. Widemann’s leadership and support of POB investigators have directly contributed to the development of the next generation of outstanding physician-scientists and enabled many additional important discoveries by her colleagues. She has also been a highly committed and effective mentor to young trainees.