The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has announced the election of Nancy E. Davidson, MD, Director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and UPMC CancerCenter in Pittsburgh, as its President-Elect for 2015–2016. Dr. Davidson will officially become President-Elect at the AACR Annual Meeting 2015 in Philadelphia, April 18–22. She will start her presidential term in April 2016.
Dr. Davidson has focused her career on clinical and translational breast cancer research, cancer biology and treatment, and the role of apoptosis and mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of gene expression of the estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) gene in breast cancer treatment.
“We are delighted that Dr. Davidson has been elected to serve as the next AACR President-Elect,” said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), Chief Executive Officer of the AACR, in a statement. “She is an acknowledged expert in breast cancer research whose clinical and translational work has had a profound impact on the lives of patients. Dr. Davidson will lead the association with much energy and dedication, and it will be an honor to work with her to make further strides in our mission to prevent and cure all cancers.”
Exciting Time in Cancer Research
“With deaths from cancer declining and the number of cancer survivors on the rise, this is an exciting time in cancer research and care,” said Dr. Davidson in a statement. “I am honored to be given the opportunity to work with AACR and its members on our singular focus to advance scientific discoveries that can translate to exceptional patient care.” Dr. Davidson is also Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Associate Vice Chancellor for Cancer Research, Hillman Professor of Oncology, and Professor at the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at the University of Pittsburgh and Adjunct Professor of Oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.
Dr. Davidson is known for her studies involving the role of hormones and the estrogen receptor in breast carcinogens that have defined the molecular mechanisms driving the disease, as well as for her efforts to establish novel therapeutic approaches for patients who fail to respond to common treatment modalities. Dr. Davidson has led clinical trials investigating chemotherapy and endocrine-related therapies for treating premenopausal breast cancer and has increased the understanding of the potential of angiogenesis inhibitors, such as bevacizumab (Avastin), in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
A Formidable Career
Dr. Davidson has been recognized for her work in breast cancer research with many awards throughout her career, including ASCO’s Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award, the AACR Women in Cancer Research Charlotte Friend Memorial Lectureship, the Potamkin Award from the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, the Distinguished Alumna Award from Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association, and the Rosaline E. Franklin Award for Women in Science from the National Cancer Institute.
Dr. Davidson is an elected member of the Institute of Medicine, the Association of American Physicians, and the American College of Physicians. Dr. Davidson is a Past President of ASCO and currently serves as a member of the scientific advisory committee of Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the scientific advisory board of the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
The AACR, whose mission is to prevent and cure cancer through research, education, communication, and collaboration, has more than 35,000 members in 101 countries. ■
