Revolutionizing Cancer Therapy with Dedication

Finding a cure for cancer ultimately relies on deciphering and attacking its root causes beginning with gene mutations and protein malfunctions in the cells. By fully understanding how cancer occurs, scientists will be able to develop new therapies that directly target the cancer-causing molecules, bringing cancer patients more effective treatments with fewer side effects. To meet this challenge, innovative research embracing new ideas and novel technologies is needed. The NFCR Project Director Program is designed to encourage scientists to explore previously uncharted territories in search of the hidden causes of cancer. Our seed funding provides scientists a precious opportunity to validate their most innovative ideas. The two-year funding cycle encourages healthy academic competition and generation of fresh ideas. NFCR’s Project Directors innovative research is making an important impact on many aspects of cancer research.

	Rebecca W. Alexander, Ph.D. Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, North Carolina		Janos Ladik, Ph.D. Universitaet Erlangen-Nurnberg Erlangen, Germany
	Robert Bast, Jr., M.D. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Texas		Dina C. Lev, M.D. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Texas
	Esther H. Chang, Ph.D. Georgetown University Washington, DC		Jiayuh Lin, Ph.D. Children's Research Institute
	Laurence J.N. Cooper, M.D., Ph.D. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Texas		David C. Lyden, M.D., Ph.D. Weill Medical College of Cornell University New York, New York
	Paul B. Fisher, M.Ph., Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia		Alan C. Sartorelli, Ph.D. Yale University New Haven, Connecticut
	Daniel A. Haber, M.D., Ph.D. Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center Charleston, Massachusetts		Michael Sporn, M.D. Dartmouth Medical School Hanover, New Hampshire
	Kathryn Horwitz, Ph.D. University of Colorado Denver, Colorado		Bin Tean Teh, M.D., Ph.D. Van Andel Research Institute Grand Rapids, Michigan
	Rakesh K. Jain, Ph.D. Massachusetts General Hospital Boston, Massachusetts		Wei Zhang, Ph.D. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Texas
	Howard Kaufman, M.D. Columbia University New York, New York