NEW YORK (July 12, 2012) — The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) has announced the election of John P. Leonard, MD, as the chairman of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Dr. Leonard is the associate dean for clinical research at Weill Cornell Medical College, vice chairman for clinical research in the Department of Medicine, and the Richard T. Silver Distinguished Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology. He also serves as clinical director of the Weill Cornell Center for Lymphoma and Myeloma, attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, and is associate director for Clinical Research of the Weill Cornell Cancer Center.
"We are pleased to have Dr. Leonard take on this important role," said LRF Chief Executive Officer Diane Blum, MSW. "He has generously given of his time to the Foundation for many years, holding a variety of leadership roles and bringing a wealth of experience to the position. We look forward to his leadership of our world-renowned Scientific Advisory Board."
An expert in hematology and oncology and an elected member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation, Dr. Leonard's research has been published in numerous medical journals, and he has served as a member of the editorial boards of Blood and the Journal of Clinical Oncology, leading international journals in these fields. He is the non-Hodgkin lymphoma working group leader for the Lymphoma Committee of the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB), a multicenter cooperative group of the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Leonard's primary research interest is in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of lymphoma and related hematologic malignancies. Much of his work has involved the development of radiolabeled and unlabeled monoclonal antibodies as therapy for lymphoma, vaccine and other immune-based treatments, and other novel therapeutic approaches.
Dr. Leonard performed his undergraduate work at Johns Hopkins University and received his medical degree at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, VA. He completed his residency in medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology at and served as the chief medical resident at Weill Cornell.
Dr. Leonard's two-year term as Chair began July 1, 2012.
"Working with my colleagues on the SAB and the Foundation's board of directors, I am confident we will continue to advance the field of lymphoma research and the Lymphoma Research Foundation's mission," shared Dr. Leonard.
Comprised of the world's leading lymphoma researchers and oncologists, the SAB formulates the LRF research portfolio, seeking out the most innovative and promising lymphoma research projects for support. The 45-member SAB reviews grant proposals and makes recommendations regarding research priorities and funding to the Foundation Board of Directors. The SAB also evaluates the progress of on-going research projects and guides the strategic direction of the Foundation's research programs and consortia.
Lymphoma Research Foundation
The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation's largest non-profit lymphoma organization devoted to funding innovative research and providing people with lymphoma and healthcare professionals with critical information on the disease. To date, LRF has funded more than $51 million in lymphoma-specific research. For additional information on LRF's programs and services, visit lymphoma.org.
Weill Cornell Medical College
Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University's medical school located in New York City, is committed to excellence in research, teaching, patient care and the advancement of the art and science of medicine, locally, nationally and globally. Physicians and scientists of Weill Cornell Medical College are engaged in cutting-edge research from bench to bedside, aimed at unlocking mysteries of the human body in health and sickness and toward developing new treatments and prevention strategies. In its commitment to global health and education, Weill Cornell has a strong presence in places such as Qatar, Tanzania, Haiti, Brazil, Austria and Turkey. Through the historic Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Cornell University is the first in the U.S. to offer a M.D. degree overseas. Weill Cornell is the birthplace of many medical advances -- including the development of the Pap test for cervical cancer, the synthesis of penicillin, the first successful embryo-biopsy pregnancy and birth in the U.S., the first clinical trial of gene therapy for Parkinson's disease, and most recently, the world's first successful use of deep brain stimulation to treat a minimally conscious brain-injured patient. Weill Cornell Medical College is affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where its faculty provides comprehensive patient care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. The Medical College is also affiliated with the Methodist Hospital in Houston. For more information, visit weill.cornell.edu.