November 30, 2006
Nora Disis named ‘Superhero’ by cancer foundation
Dr. Mary L. “Nora” Disis, UW professor of medicine and director of the UW Center for Translational Medicine in Women’s Health, has been recognized as a “Superhero” by the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation (CTRF).
Disis, an expert on cancer immunology, was awarded a $300,000 research grant by the Chicago-based nonprofit to continue her pioneering work.
“We chose Dr. Disis as this year’s Superhero because of her ongoing commitment to the kind of innovative, cutting-edge, translational research that is part of CTRF’s mission,” said Foundation President Melissa Pontikes.
Disis, a recipient of previous CTRF grants, focuses her research efforts on earlier detection, more effective treatments, and the elimination of cancer recurrence. She said she has “a passion for translational research, working together with scientists, physicians, patients and organizations to bring the latest research breakthroughs from the laboratory bench to the patient bedside.”
Since earning her medical degree and master’s of immunology at the University of Nebraska in Omaha, Disis has spent more than a decade investigating cancer immunology and spearheading the development of new cancer vaccines. The CTRF grant will be used to help develop a multi-antigen vaccine for breast cancer.
CTRF is dedicated to curing cancer through funding to patient-centered clinical studies that deliver innovative treatment options to cancer patients.
