AUSTIN – The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) today awarded three new academic research grants and one prevention grant totaling more than $10 million towards advancing the fight against cancer.

“Today, CPRIT invested in both experienced and promising young investigators in cancer research, as well as prevention efforts that fight liver cancer–a growing threat to public health in Texas,” said Wayne Roberts, CPRIT Chief Executive Officer. “These awards address CPRIT’s priorities of attracting outstanding researchers to Texas and addressing disparities and underserved populations.”

CPRIT has awarded 1,191 grants totaling more than $1.88 billion. CPRIT is now two-thirds through its historical 2007 constitutional commitment of $3 billion to fight cancer. During the 85th Texas Legislature, CPRIT’s Sunset Review date was extended by two years to 2023 to allow the agency to fully use all funds approved by Texas voters.

See the attached list for all four academic research and prevention grants awarded.

About the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas

To date, CPRIT has awarded $1.88 billion in grants to Texas researchers, institutions and organizations. CPRIT provides funding through its academic research, prevention, and product development research programs. Programs made possible with CPRIT funding have reached all 254 counties of the state, brought more than 149 distinguished researchers to Texas, advanced scientific and clinical knowledge, and provided more than 4 million life-saving education, training, prevention and early detection services to Texans. Learn more at cprit.texas.gov. Follow CPRIT at twitter.com/CPRITTexas and facebook.com/CPRITTexas.

AWARDED RESEARCH GRANTS

Recruitment of Established Investigators Awards* – One grant totaling $6,000,000

  • Jane Skok, PhD, Recruitment to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from New York University School of Medicine – $6,000,000

Recruitment of First-Time, Tenure-Track Faculty Members Awards* – Two grants totaling $4,000,000

  • Georgios Karras, PhD, Recruitment to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research – $2,000,000
  • Michalis Agathocleous, PhD, Recruitment to The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center from Children's Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern – $2,000,000

AWARDED PREVENTION GRANTS

Dissemination of CPRIT-Funded Cancer Control Interventions Awards — One grant totaling $294,804
     The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

  • STOP HCC-HCV Prevention Program Dissemination Project (Barbara Turner, MD) – $294,804

*Recruitment grants awarded indicate only approval to negotiate offers; at the time of release candidates have not accepted offers.


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