Lynn Matrisian, Ph.D.
Matrisian appointed to NCI translational research post
Lynn Matrisian, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Cancer Biology, has been appointed to a leadership post with the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Translational Research Group.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, she will spend half of her time at NCI headquarters in Washington, D.C., and half at Vanderbilt in the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
“I'm excited about this opportunity to have an impact on the way NCI funds and supports important cancer research,” said Matrisian. “Translational research transforms scientific discoveries arising from the laboratory, clinic, or population into clinical applications. Our task is to streamline, improve and accelerate translational research within the NCI. If we do that well, cancer patients will be the beneficiaries of that effort.”
During this two-year appointment, Matrisian will continue to lead the cancer research effort in her own Vanderbilt-Ingram laboratory.
Since she will be spending so much time in Washington, Matrisian hands her duties as Cancer Biology chair to Harold Moses, M.D., director emeritus of Vanderbilt-Ingram.
Matrisian believes the entire Vanderbilt cancer enterprise will benefit from this appointment. “I will learn a great deal about how to facilitate translational research within the NCI structure and, if I can bring that back, I can help Vanderbilt be better positioned to take advantage of what the NCI offers. ”
For the past two years Matrisian has been co-leader of the NCI's Translational Research Working Group, studying ways to make the national cancer research effort more efficient.
“We are pleased that the NCI continues to recognize Lynn Matrisian's comprehensive perspective and leadership skills,” said Jennifer Pietenpol, Ph.D., interim director of Vanderbilt-Ingram. “She has a proven ability to define and articulate the process of translational research and having her on this national team will be beneficial to all cancer investigators.”