Scott Hiebert, Ph.D., associate director of Basic Research at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), was celebrated for his contributions to cancer research during the 6th Annual Nashville Honors Gala benefiting the T.J. Martell Foundation.
This year’s event at Nashville’s Omni Hotel honored five Nashville community leaders who work diligently to make a difference in the community, including Hiebert and VICC Board of Overseers member Beth Dortch Franklin. She was recognized for her work to enhance awareness and support for cancer research and her efforts as an advocate for the educational and outreach needs of cancer patients and families. At Vanderbilt-Ingram, Franklin led efforts to expand the clinic and has served as a mentor to the Young Ambassadors, a group of young philanthropists who support cancer research.
The Honors Gala featured entertainment by singers including Tim McGraw, Darius Rucker, Sheryl Crow, Kenny Loggins and the Blue Sky Riders and Jake Owen and was hosted by Charles Esten, actor and singer on the television show “Nashville.” Hiebert had requested that Crow perform for his Medical Research Advancement Award category and was pleased when she accepted.
“It was a wonderful event and such an incredible honor to be recognized for my research career, and I am convinced that the advances currently underway in cancer research will lead to potential cures for some forms of cancer in the next 10 years,” said Hiebert, who is the Hortense B. Ingram Professor of Cancer Research.
Hiebert is an internationally recognized leader in research on the mechanistic basis of acute leukemia. He and his VICC colleagues are working to uncover the molecular basis for leukemia development while testing potential new therapies for leukemia and other blood-related cancers.
As associate director for Basic Research, he helps to oversee the program which includes more than 100 faculty members and more than $50 million in research funding from public and private sources. He also oversees the Cancer Center’s Shared Resources, which provide advanced technologies to members.
Hiebert received his Ph.D. from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and pursued his postdoctoral studies at Duke University as an American Cancer Society fellow and Howard Hughes Research Associate. In 1991, he joined St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis before moving to VICC as associate professor of Biochemistry in 1991. He was promoted to full professor of Biochemistry in 2000 and served as leader of the Signal Transduction and Cellular Proliferation Program before assuming his current leadership roles.
He has published more than 100 research papers and currently holds three research grants from the National Cancer Institute. Hiebert serves on the Extramural Scientific Council for the American Cancer Society.
He is also regarded for his work as a mentor to dozens of young scientists who have launched successful careers and are pursuing breakthroughs in cancer research.
The T.J. Martell Foundation was created in 1975 by Tony Martell in honor of his young son T.J., who was a leukemia patient. The foundation, with strong ties to the music and entertainment industries, helps raise funds in support of lifesaving research and outreach efforts for patients with leukemia, cancer and AIDS.
Vanderbilt is a longstanding recipient of support from the foundation, which provides funding for cancer research at the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at VICC.
