Professor Greg Hannon, Director of the CRUK Cambridge Institute and member of the Cell and Molecular Biology Programme is one of 19 pioneering cancer scientists to be elected into the Academy of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
He has been honoured for fundamental contributions to characterising the role of cyclin-dependent kinases and small RNAs including microRNAs, piwi-interacting, and short-hairpin RNAs in cell cycle regulation, carcinogenesis, and drug development.
The mission of the AACR Academy is to recognise and honour distinguished scientists whose scientific contributions have propelled significant innovation and progress against cancer.
Other UK scientists honoured this year include Professor Sir Greg Winter, the Nobel-prizing winning biochemist whose is known for his pioneering research at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology on humanised and human therapeutic antibodies, and Professor Charles Swanton, Cancer Research UK’s Chief Clinician based at the Crick Institute for his innovative research focused on identifying molecular mechanisms of cancer evolution and its impact on drug resistance and patient stratification.
Fellows of the AACR Academy serve as a global brain trust in the cancer field, helping to advance the mission of the AACR to prevent and cure all cancers through research, education, communication, collaboration, science policy and advocacy, and funding for cancer research.
This year’s Fellows join other eminent Cambridge cancer scientists elected in previous years including Prof Sir Bruce Ponder, founding Director of the CRUK Cambridge Institute and Centre, and Prof Sir Mike Stratton, Director of the Wellcome Sanger Institute.
All Fellows are nominated and elected through an annual peer review process conducted by existing Fellows of the AACR Academy and ratified by the AACR Academy Steering Committee and AACR Executive Committee. This process involves a rigorous assessment of each candidate’s scientific accomplishments in cancer research and cancer-related sciences. Only individuals whose work has had a significant and enduring impact on cancer research are considered for election and induction into the AACR Academy.
“This year’s collection of elected Fellows of the AACR Academy continues the AACR’s rich tradition of recognizing the most significant contributors to cancer research,” said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), chief executive officer of the AACR.
“The 2020 class consists of 19 trailblazing pioneers in various scientific areas who have accelerated the pace of progress against cancer. We are honored to have them join our 212 existing Fellows and look forward to celebrating their scientific accomplishments.”
