UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center Magazine E-Edition 2015 | Page 6

Finding a Cure... By funding grants specifically for young scientists, the Young Supporters Board of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is truly supporting the next generation of cancer discoveries. These young researchers are making the discoveries that will lead to a cure. Young Scientists at the Cancer Center “Especially in this day “The Young Investigator “The Young Investigator “This award facilitated our contractions, securing with extremely valuable for junior investigators research papers in peer- and age with budget Grant provided me grant funding for clinical resources to advance my research is increasingly research program and difficult. This is especially overall career development true for young investigators during a time when who have recently finished funding support is not their training and who easy to secure. I am do not yet have a robust truly appreciative of the track record. The Young investment that the Young Investigator Grant is Supporters Board has made crucial in being able to in my development and the ignite a research career so advancement of science.” that clinician investigators will be able to secure reliable funding in coming “The Young Investigator years.” Grant has been a CARLO CONTRERAS, M.D. me as a young investigator. Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, 2013 Grant Recipient allowed me to expand wonderful opportunity for The funding provided my research into a new area and to produce the preliminary data that is essential for obtaining federal funding.” NICOLE RIDDLE, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, 2014 Grant Recipient TIFFANY CARSON, Ph.D., M.P.H. Assistant Professor, Division of Preventative Medicine, 2013 Grant Recipient Grant creates new avenues like me to explore novel concepts and methodologies in cancer research. It is instrumental not only in launching my own independent research career, but also in helping me to become a contributing member in the UAB cancer research community.” MENGXI JIANG, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, 2014 Grant Recipient publishing two original reviewed journals and presenting three abstracts at annual meetings of the DAVID SCHNEIDER VIDEO HERE American Association for Cancer Research. The Young Investigator Grant provided resources essential to the establishment and growth of my laboratory, for which I am sincerely grateful.” KARINA YOON, Ph .D. Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2011 Grant Recipient “The Young Investigator “Support from groups method of promoting Board is key for enhancing Grant is an excellent like the Young Supporters new projects in newly the chances of success for established cancer research new, driven investigators. labs. In my case, the grant This support also gives has allowed me to expand the investigator a sense the vision I have for my of connection and lab. Not only does it responsibility to the support collection of new community. Innovative, data, it aids in securing fundamental scientific external funding to support approaches can lead ongoing research at the to dramatic long-term UAB Comprehensive benefits, if they are Cancer Center.” nurtured and supported from the beginning.” WILLIAM PLACZEK, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, 2013 Grant Recipient 6 U A B C O M P R E H E N S I V E C A N C E R C E N T E R # K N O W U A B C C C DAVID SCHNEIDER, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, 2008 Grant Recipient • U A B . E D U / C A N C E R 7