Dr. Christopher Mason Receives 2014 Young Investigator Award from the Bert L and N Kuggie Vallee Foundation
Dr. Christopher Mason, an assistant professor of physiology and biophysics in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics and of computational biomedicine in the HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, has won the 2014 Young Investigator Award from the Vallee Foundation.
Dr. Christopher Mason
The annual award program, which was established last year, provides biomedical research funding to four scientists whose research proposals exhibit innovation and tackle a complex biological issue.
"I am very honored and excited because the award will directly support my research on how DNA and RNA evolves in tumor cells," said Dr. Mason, also an assistant professor of neuroscience in the Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute who was also recently featured as one of the magazine Popular Science's "brilliant ten." "The unrestricted funds mean we can try high-risk ideas and novel biomedical approaches to track responses on a cell-by-cell basis."
Dr. Mason's winning research project aims to highlight tumor evolution by documenting the behavior and makeup of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) stem cells. He will expose the AML stem cells to chemotherapy and observe the genome changes associated with whether, and when they become resistant to treatment. Dr. Mason hopes that this data will lead to new, targeted cancer treatments.
The Vallee Foundation is dedicated to facilitating communication between budding and established scientists around the world as a way to enhance scientific collaboration and advance medical education and biomedical research.
Additional Awards and Honors
Dr. Elizabeth K. Arleo, assistant professor of radiology, was appointed to the American College of Radiology's Commission on Human Resources, Committee for Women and Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System Committee. The college aims to maximize the value of radiology for society and patients by advancing radiology research, education and its applications in the medical field.
Dr. Geraldine McGinty, assistant professor of radiology, gave two invited lectures at the Puerto Rico Radiologic Society in April titled "Challenges to Radiology Reimbursement," and "Imaging 3.0." Puerto Rico Radiologic Society is the state chapter of the American College of Radiology, an organization that aims to maximize the value of radiology for society and patients by advancing radiology research, education and its applications in the medical field.
Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori, professor of clinical radiation oncology, was recognized with an Ellis Island Medal of Honor. These awards are given annually to American citizens who have distinguished themselves within their own ethnic groups while exemplifying the values of the American way of life.