Faculty News

Elaine Jaffe and Ira Pastan elected as 2025 Fellows of the AACR Academy

Elaine S. Jaffe, M.D., NIH Distinguished Investigator in the Laboratory of Pathology, and Ira Pastan, M.D., Chief Emeritus of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, were elected in the 2025 class of Fellows of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Academy. The mission of the Academy is to recognize and honor extraordinary scientists whose groundbreaking contributions have driven significant innovation and progress in the fight against cancer. Jaffe is being recognized for her revolutionary research efforts in hematopathology and transforming diagnostic standards and care for lymphoma and leukemia; Pastan is being recognized for his visionary contributions to cancer therapy and the field of receptor biology.

Kumaran Ramamurthi elected to the American Academy of Microbiology

The American Academy of Microbiology elected Kumaran S. Ramamurthi, Ph.D., Deputy Chief and Senior Investigator in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, as a 2025 fellow. Election to the Academy is a highly selective process based on records of scientific achievement and original contributions that have advanced the field of microbiology.

Nirali Shah, Benedict Anchang, and Sadhana Jackson

CCR researchers receive Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers

Three CCR researchers received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), one of the highest honors bestowed by the U.S. Government to outstanding scientists and engineers.

Natasha Caplen appointed to Senior Investigator at CCR

The CCR community congratulates Natasha J. Caplen, Ph.D., who has been appointed Senior Investigator in the Genetics Branch. Caplen contributed to the discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) in mammalian cells and has pioneered approaches for exploiting this gene regulatory mechanism to investigate cancer biology and treatment. Her current studies focus on the functional genetic analysis of cancers driven by fusion oncogenes, particularly the pediatric tumor Ewing sarcoma.

Nirali Shah elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation

Nirali N. Shah, M.D., M.H.Sc., Lasker Clinical Research Scholar in the Pediatric Oncology Branch, was elected as a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI). The organization seeks to support the scientific efforts, educational needs, and clinical aspirations of physician-scientists to improve the health of all people. The 2025 newly elected members came from 46 different institutions and represent excellence across the breadth of academic medicine.

Chuan Wu appointed to Senior Investigator at CCR

The CCR community congratulates Chuan Wu, M.D., Ph.D., who has been appointed Senior Investigator in the Experimental Immunology Branch. Wu studies the role of intestinal neuroimmune interactions in health and disease. His lab works to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the dynamic interplay between the enteric nervous system and the immune system to build a comprehensive view of intestinal homeostasis and to discover new therapeutics for intestinal inflammatory diseases.

Daniel Larson appointed Chief of the Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression

The CCR community congratulates Daniel R. Larson, Ph.D., who has been appointed Chief of the Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression. Larson’s laboratory’s goal is to understand gene expression in eukaryotic cells, starting from the mechanistic behavior of individual macromolecules and proceeding to their regulation in cells and tissue. His current work is focused on applying experimental and theoretical approaches to the study of hematopoiesis in health and disease through the trans-NIH Myeloid Malignancies Program.

Ruth Nussinov elected to the European Molecular Biology Organization

Ruth Nussinov, Ph.D., Senior Investigator in the Cancer Innovation Laboratory, was elected as a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO). EMBO is an organization of more than 2,000 leading researchers that promotes excellence in the life sciences in Europe and beyond. Election as EMBO Member recognizes a scientist’s research excellence and outstanding achievements in their field.

Chengkai Dai appointed to Senior Investigator at CCR

The CCR community congratulates Chengkai Dai, Ph.D., who has been appointed Senior Investigator in the Mouse Cancer Genetics Program. Dai’s laboratory is a pioneer in the field of proteomic instability of cancer. His ongoing research focuses on the molecular mechanisms through which proteomic instability may affect genomic stability, cell invasion and autophagy, areas which hold promise to unveil new molecular pathways that could be targeted in cancer therapy.

Peter Pinto awarded the AAGUS Barringer Medal

Peter A. Pinto, M.D., Senior Investigator in the Urologic Oncology Branch, was awarded the Barringer Medal by the American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons (AAGUS). The AAGUS is an association of leading academic urologists from the United States, Canada and around the world, dedicated to the study of diseases of the genitourinary system.

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