Faculty News

Jordan Meier receives the 2021 Eli Lilly Award in Biological Chemistry

Jordan Meier, Ph.D., Senior Investigator in the Chemical Biology Laboratory, received the 2021 Eli Lilly Award in Biological Chemistry for outstanding research of unusual merit and independence of thought and originality. Dr. Meier’s efforts in defining how metabolism regulates epigenetic signaling in cancer and how metabolite-protein interactions occur in all living organisms were cited as meritorious examples of advancing two fundamental areas of research.

Sue Wickner receives the 2021 American Society for Microbiology Award for Basic Research

Sue Wickner, Ph.D., Senior Investigator in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, received the 2021 American Society for Microbiology Award for Basic Research. The award recognizes outstanding scientists whose discoveries have been fundamental to advancing our understanding of the microbial world. Dr. Wickner’s research into the mechanisms of action of molecular chaperones aims to provide insight for future development of drugs for the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by protein aggregation and misfolding, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, type II diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and prion diseases.

Selumetinib offers hope as first FDA-approved treatment for neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1)

Autumn Schierling is one of 50 children who have been participating since 2015 in a clinical trial of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) at the NIH Clinical Center. In March 2020, the results of the trial were published and in April the FDA approved selumetinib as the first treatment for NF1. Brigitte Widemann, M.D., Chief of the Pediatric Oncology Branch who started conducting clinical trials for NF1 in 2001 was quoted as saying, “The medication’s approval is ‘huge progress’ and we will work to make more progress.”

In Memoriam: Larry K. Keefer, Ph.D.

The Center for Cancer Research mourns the recent death of past colleague Larry K. Keefer. He made major contributions to the understanding of the chemistry of the carcinogenic nitrosamines.

Undergraduate research at NCI sparks curiosity and new connections

Brandon Ogbunu, a Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Yale, recalls the time he spent studying gene regulation in Susan Gottesman’s lab. He says the experience sparked interests that have helped shape his career studying evolution and disease.

A Conversation with Adam Sowalsky, Ph.D.

Adam Sowalsky, Ph.D., is an Investigator in the Laboratory of Genitourinary Cancer Pathogenesis. He is seeking to tease apart the molecular mechanisms underlying prostate cancers that have a high likelihood of progressing and then identifying patients who might benefit from earlier therapy. He discusses what motivated him to pursue a career in cancer biology as well as what lies ahead for his research.

Joe Chinquee volunteers with Navajo Nation during COVID-19 pandemic

Joe Chinquee, D.H.Sc., M.B.A., M.T. (A.S.C.P.) D.L.M., Clinical and Scientific Manager of the Laboratory of Pathology, served on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to give back, he was deployed on a month-long mission to assist the U.S. Public Health Service at the Navajo Nation in New Mexico. Chinquee said: “At the NIH, I’ve been given so many opportunities and rewards. I will never stop giving back, but I would not be able to volunteer for these missions without the full support of my NCI leadership.”

In Memoriam: Flossie Wong-Staal, Ph.D.

The Center for Cancer Research mourns the recent death of past colleague Flossie Wong-Staal. She was a major figure in the discovery of HIV and the first to clone the virus.

Lieutenant and Research Nurse Matt Lindsley shares his experiences and public service role

Matthew Lindsley, MPH, MSN, RN PHNA-BC, is a Lieutenant in the United States Public Health Service. As a Research Nurse Specialist for the NCI’s Center for Cancer Research, Neuro-Oncology Branch, Matt helps patients with brain and spine tumors who come to NIH for treatment. He was recently deployed to aid in the COVID-19 response mission in Washington state for a number of weeks.

Mary Kearney discusses coronavirus with National Geographic

Mary Kearney, Ph.D., Senior Scientist in the Host-Virus Interaction Branch, was recently quoted in a National Geographic article discussing how long coronavirus lasts inside the body. “Where there’s long-term persistence, there can be long-term consequences,” she says.

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