The recipients of this prestigious award are outstanding, early-career physician-scientists conducting patient-oriented cancer research at major research centers under the mentorship of the nation's leading scientists and clinicians.
The Clinical Investigator Award program was designed to increase the number of physicians capable of translating scientific discoveries into new treatments for cancer patients. Each Awardee will receive $600,000 over three years, as well as assistance with research costs such as the purchase of equipment. Because the need to repay medical school loans is often cited as a deterrent to pursuing research, Damon Runyon will also retire up to $100,000 of medical school debt owed by the awardee.
2024 Clinical Investigator: John R. Prensner, M.D., Ph.D., Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation Clinical Investigator, with mentors Sriram Venneti, M.D., Ph.D., and Carl J. Koschmann, M.D.
Research Summary: New therapeutic approaches are urgently needed for children suffering from high-risk medulloblastoma, a form of pediatric brain cancer, where half of children will experience disease relapse leading to death. Dr. Prensner’s work is focused on understanding the biological underpinnings of high-risk medulloblastoma and developing new treatment options. His team recently found that high-risk medulloblastoma may exploit an imbalance in the production of proteins from the tumor cell genetic material (RNA, DNA). Dr. Prensner aims to define the cancer biology that causes an imbalance in the protein-RNA ratio in medulloblastoma, and investigate specific therapeutic options that may target this biology. His hope is that this work leads to new options for clinical trials for children with high-risk medulloblastoma.
Congratulations, Dr. Prensner!
