DuBois Chosen to Lead America's Largest Cancer Research Organization
 |
|
| Raymond N. DuBois, M.D., Ph.D. |
Raymond N. DuBois, M.D., Ph.D., senior researcher for the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, has been nominated president-elect of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
“The AACR is at a critical stage in its evolution as it prepares to celebrate 100 years of progress in the fight against cancer,” said DuBois. “By supporting cancer research from the basic science laboratory all the way to late phase clinical trials, the AACR has taken on the crucial mission of supporting work that will ultimately decrease morbidity and mortality from cancer.”
DuBois, B.F. Byrd Jr. Professor of Molecular Oncology at Vanderbilt, recently stepped down as director of Vanderbilt-Ingram, in anticipation of his new role as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. DuBois is a Texas native, and received his medical degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and his Ph.D. from The University of Texas Health Science Center in Dallas.
DuBois’ role in the AACR marks the third time a Vanderbilt-Ingram leader has served as president of the organization. Lynn Matrisian, Ph.D., director of Cancer Biology, and Harold L. Moses, M.D., director emeritus of Vanderbilt-Ingram, were both elected AACR president in recent years.
DuBois’ research is focused on determining the role of inflammatory mediators in the progression of colorectal cancer, to develop better strategies for prevention and early detection. DuBois and colleagues in his lab have found that COX-2 is elevated in pre-malignant polyps and its presence directly influences the progression and risk for colorectal cancer. He is the principal investigator on three research grants from the National Institutes of Health, including one MERIT award from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. DuBois’ research is also supported by funding from the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance established by Katie Couric, anchor of CBS Evening News. In addition, he serves on several AACR committees and editorial boards for the organization.
He succeeds William N. Hait, M.D., Ph.D., head of Worldwide Oncology Research and Development at Johnson & Johnson, who will become president of the AACR. Geoffrey M. Wahl, Ph.D., of The Salk Institute for Biological Sciences in La Jolla, Calif., who has served as AACR president for the 2006-2007 term, will fulfill the role of past president. The positions will take effect April 16 at the AACR Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. The president, president-elect and past president serve terms of one year, comprising the period between annual meetings.
