The Basser Center for BRCA at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania—the world’s first comprehensive center aimed at advancing research, treatment, and prevention of BRCA-related cancers—has announced André Nussenzweig, PhD, of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), as the recipient of the ninth annual Basser Global Prize. Dr. Nussenzweig serves as Branch Chief of the Laboratory of Genome Integrity in the NCI’s Center for Cancer Research.
André Nussenzweig, PhD
Each year, the Basser Global Prize recognizes a leading scientist who has conceptually advanced BRCA1/BRCA2-related research. Dr. Nussenzweig’s work on the fundamental aspects of DNA repair, replication, and genome integrity in cells has led to important discoveries that have applications for the development of biomarkers and targeted therapeutics for BRCA-mutated cancers.
Seeking the Roots of BRCA Mutations
“It’s an honor to bestow this award to an esteemed researcher from the NCI who has uncovered key insights into understanding the causes of BRCA-mutated cancers and mechanisms driving treatment resistance,” said Susan M. Domchek, MD, Executive Director of the Basser Center for BRCA. “It’s these types of basic science discoveries that will move us closer to improved therapies for patients.”
Susan M. Domchek, MD
Dr. Nussenzweig, who received his PhD in physics from Yale University, became a research fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center prior to joining the Experimental Immunology Branch at the National Institutes of Health in 1998. In 2011, he established a new department at NCI, the Laboratory of Genome Integrity. Dr. Nussenzweig is also an elected member of the European Molecular Biology Organization, a National Institutes of Health Distinguished Investigator, and a 2019 inductee into the National Academy of Medicine.
“I am extremely honored to receive this recognition from the -Basser Center, which has contributed so much support for BRCA-related research and improved the clinical care of patients who bear BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations,” Dr. Nussenzweig said.
Dr. Nussenzweig will give the keynote address at the 10th annual Basser Center for BRCA Scientific Symposium on May 10 and 11, 2022.
