Since awarding our first grant in 1994, The V Foundation has funded over 300 grants to the brightest physicians and scientists as they pioneer techniques to make breakthroughs in cancer research. By investing in promising people and projects, we continue to make great strides in unraveling the mysteries of cancer.

2008 Grants

2008 V Scholar Grants

Jennifer R. Cochran, Ph.D.
Stanford University Comprehensive Cancer Center
(Palo Alto, CA)
Martin D. Abeloff, M.D. V Scholar Award
Engineering a new class of tumor-targeting peptides for cancer biology, imaging and therapy

Jessica K. Bell, Ph.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Massey Cancer Center
(Richmond, VA)
The role of double stranded RNA in stimulating cancer cell death

Daniela M. Dinulescu, Ph.D.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Harvard Medical School
(Boston, MA)
Targeting Cancer Stem Cells in Ovarian Cancer: Implications for Chemoresistance to Therapy

Pieter C. Dorrestein,
University of California, San Diego
(San Diego, CA)
Anticancer drugs from the ocean

Jeffrey Engelman, M.D., Ph.D.
Massachusetts General Hospital
(Boston, MA)
Acquired Resistance to EGFR Inhibitors: The Next Generation

Wendy Garrett, M.D., Ph.D.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
(Boston, MA)
A new model of spontaneous ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal

Josh Lauring, M.D., Ph.D.
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
(Baltimore, MD)
Receptor-mediated endocytosis of estrogens as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer
Funded in Honor of Kay Yow

Stephen B. Long, Ph.D.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
(New York, NY)
Atomic structures and mechanisms of the cancer targets Rce1 and ICMT
Funded by the NBA and NBA Referees Association in Honor of Ron Olesiak

Jin Biao Ma, Ph.D.
UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Alabama at Birmingham
(Birmingham, AL)
Structures and mechanisms of RNA-binding proteins in the post-transcriptional regulation Of microRNAs associated with tumorigenesis

Sendurai Mani, Ph.D.
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
(Houston, TX)
Role of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in the Generation of Cancer Stem Cellls and Metastasis
Funded by Delta Chi

Matthew D. Petroski, Ph.D.
Burnham Institute for Medical Research
(La Jolla, CA)
Dissecting the function and regulation of the SKP2 oncogenic protein for cancer therapeutic development

J. Michael Thompson, Ph.D.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
(Nashville, TN)
Elucidating the mechanisms of regulated microRNA processing in Cancer

Lloyd C. Trotman, Ph.D.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
(Cold Spring Harbor, NY)
Identification of Critical Gene-Alterations for the Progression of PTEN-Mutant Prostate Cancer

Wenyi Wei, Ph.D.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
(Boston, MA)
Characterize the role of the Akt oncoprotein in governing the substrate specifically of the APC/Cdh1 E3 ubiquitin complex

Angelique Whitehurst, Ph.D.
UNC Lineberger Cancer Center
University of North Carolina
(Chapel Hill, NC)
Harnessing Functional Genomics to Reveal Cancer Specific Determinants of Mitosis; 2007 JVCGC Volunteer Grant in Honor of Mike Howard
2008 JVCGC Volunteer Grant in Honor of Mike Howard

2008 Designated Grants

David Azorsa, Ph.D.
Translational Genomics Research Institute
Scottsdale, AZ
Funded in Honor of Reed Kavner

Richard A. Drachman, M.D.
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
New Brunswick, NJ
Funded by UNICO in Memory of Leno Sodini

Katherine K. Matthay,M.D.
University of San Francisco School of Medicine
San Francisco, CA
Funded by The Wine Celebration

Michael Nieder, M.D.
All Children’s Hospital
St. Petersburg, FL
Funded by 2008 Dick Vitale Gala

W. Jack Pledger, Ph.D.
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
Tampa, FL
Funded by 2008 Dick Vitale Gala

Jim Valvano Fellowship in Pediatric Cancer
Duke Children’s Hospital and Health Center
Durham, NC
Funded by Jimmy V Jr. and Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classics

University of North Carolina Comprehensive Cancer Center
LIVESTRONG Survivorship Center of Excellence
Lance Armstrong Foundation
Chapel Hill, NC

2008 Translational Grants

Hal Broxmeyer, Ph.D.
Sherif S. Farag, M.D., Ph.D.
David Jones, Ph.D.
Indiana University Cancer Research Institute
(Indianapolis, IN)
Enhancing Cord Blood Stem Cell Engraftment by CD26 Inhibition in Patients with Hematological Cancers

Raju Chaganti, Ph.D.
Robert Motzer, M.D.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
(New York, NY)
Molecular Mechanism of Sunitinib Response in RCC Patients: Novel Approaches to Therapy and Identification of Therapeutic Targets

Tanya B. Dorff, M.D.
Amy S. Lee, Ph.D.
Valter D. Longo, Ph.D.
David I. Quinn, MBBS, Ph.D., FRACP
USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
(Los Angeles, CA)
Pre-clinical and Clinical Studies of Fasting-induced Differential Stress Resistance to Enhance Cancer Treatment

Judy E. Garber, M.D., MPH
Daniel P. Silver, M.D., Ph.D.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
(Boston, MA)
Development of Predictive Markers of Treatment Response in Basal-like Breast Cancer

Howard Kipen, M.D., MPH
Helmut Zarbl, Ph.D.
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
(New Brunswick, NJ)
Chemoprevention of Breast and Prostate Cancers in Shift Workers by Dietary Methylselenocysteine: Effects on Circadian Rhythm and Estrogen Receptor Cycling

John P. Leonard, M.D.
Ari Melnick, M.D.
Weill Cornell Cancer Center
(New York, NY)
Epigenetic Therapy for Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

Scott Powers, Ph.D.
Gary K. Schwartz, M.D.
Raffaella Sordella, Ph.D.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Memorial Sloan-Kettering
(Cold Springs Harbor, NY)
Multiplex RNAi Screening for Rational Combination Therapies in Melanoma

2007 Grants

2007 V Scholar Grants

Ian J. Davis, M.D., Ph.D.
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of North Carolina
(Chapel Hill, NC)
Martin D. Abeloff, M.D. V Scholar Award
Targeting dysregulated transcription factors in pediatric malignancies.

James Brugarolas, M.D., Ph.D.
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
(Dallas, TX)
Evaluation of the mTOR pathway in renal-cell carcinoma and in model systems. 2007 JVCGC Volunteer Grant in Honor of Dave and Wanda Farley

Jack D. Bui, M.D., Ph.D.
Rebecca and John Moores Cancer Center
University of San Diego
(La Jolla, CA)
Enhancing tumor recognition by inducing NKG2D ligands

Dean Ho, Ph.D.
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
Northwestern University
(Chicago, IL)
Active Nanodiamond Hydrogels for Directed Chemotherapeutic Delivery

Susan M. Janicki, Ph.D.
The Wistar Institute
(Philadelphia, PA)
Live Cell Analysis of Histone Dynamics at Transcriptionally Active Chromatin

Carla Kim, Ph.D.
Children’s Hospital Boston
(Boston, MA)
Examination of cancer stem cells in lung cancer. In Memory of Christopher T. Carroll

Ju-Seog Lee, Ph.D.
University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
(Houston, TX)
Characterization of the interaction between astrocytes and cancer cells in breast cancer brain metastasis. 2007 Vintner Grant in Honor of Robin Lail

Gregory B. Lesinski, Ph.D.
James Cancer Hospital & Solove Research Institute
(Columbus, OH)
The Role of MicroRNA in the Progression of Malignant Melanoma. Funded by Buckeyes FORE Cancer Research

Takahiro Maeda, M.D., Ph.D.
City of Hope National Medical Center
Beckman Research Institute
(Duarte, CA)
The role of the proto-oncogene LRF in B cell malignancies: Implication for targeted therapy

Raul Mostoslavsky, M.D., Ph.D.
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
(Boston, MA)
The Role of SIRT6 in DNA repair and metabolic homeostatis

Vivian G. Oehler, M.D.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
(Seattle, WA)
Prognostic factors in chronic myeloid leukemia progression and therapy resistance

Kathrin Plath, Ph.D.
UCLA School of Medicine
(Los Angeles, CA)
X chromosome reactivation and cancer in mouse models

Pamela M. Pollock, Ph.D.
Translational Genomics Research Institute (Tgen)
(Phoenix, AZ)
Activated FGFR2 as a novel therapeutic target in endometrial cancer

Edward M. Schaeffer, M.D., Ph.D.
Johns Hopkins Medical Institution
(Baltimore, MD)
Hedgehog Pathway activity in primary prostate cancer lesions predicts subsequent clinical failure and aggressive disease

Jean J. Zhao, Ph.D.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
(Boston, MA)
Dissecting the roles of the class 1A phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases in breast tissue development and tumor formation using genetic inactivation of selected isoform(s)

2007 Designated Grants

Joel Levine, M.D.
Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center
(Farmington, CT)
Funded by UNICO International in memory of Anthony Gonnella

Ravi Salgia, M.D.
University of Chicago Cancer Research Center
(Chicago, IL)
Funded by Guy Geleerd Memorial

Alejandro Sweet-Cordero, M.D.
Stanford University School of Medicine
(Stanford, CA)
Funded by the Kavner Family in honor of Reed Kavner

2007 Translational Grants

Kenneth D. Aldape, M.D.
Howard Colman, M.D., Ph.D.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
(Houston, TX)
Multigene Predictor to Individualize Patient Care of Glioblastoma

Emily K. Bergsland, M.D.
Douglas Hanahan, Ph.D.
University of California San Francisco
(San Francisco, CA)
Rational Drug Utilization: Concurrent EGFR and mTOR blockade in patients with pancreatic Neuroendocrine tumors

Ravi Bhatia, M.D.
Wen Yong Chen, Ph.D.
City of Hope
(Duarte, CA)
Epigenetic mechanisms of chemoresistance of chronic myelogenous leukemia

Marcia Canto, M.D., MHS
Michael Groggins, M.D.
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
Johns Hopkins
(Baltimore, MD)
Expanding the target population for pancreatic cancer screening

Paul Dent, Ph.D.
Steven Grant, M.D.
Mohamed Rahmani, Ph.D.
John Roberts, M.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University-Massey Cancer Center
(Richmond, VA)
Reestablishing the leukemia cell death program with sorafenib and Bcl-2 antagonists

Michael Kahn, Ph.D.
Yong-Mi Kim, M.D., Ph.D.
Markus Müschen, M.D.
Allen S. Yang, M.D., Ph.D.
USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
(Los Angeles, CA)
Targeting CBP/ß -catenin signaling in acute lymphoblastic leukemia stem cells

2006 Grants

2006 V Scholar Grants

Eric J. Brown, Ph.D.
Abramson Cancer Center
University of Pennsylvania
(Philadelphia, PA)
A Genetic Screen to Identify Genes Essential for the Viability of BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutant Cells
Funded by Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic in Honor of Kathy O’Brien

Charles G. Drake, M.D., Ph.D.
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
at Johns Hopkins University
(Baltimore, MD)
The Role of PD-1 in The Acute T Cell Response to Cancer

Seth J. Field, M.D., Ph.D.
Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center
University of California, San Diego
(San Diego, CA)
Function of Novel Targets of PtdIns (3,4,5) P3 in Oncogenic Tranformation

Michael T. Hemann, Ph.D.
MIT Center for Cancer Research
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(Cambridge, MA)
Investigating chemotherapeutic action using in vivo RNAi

Konrad Hochedlinger, Ph.D.
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
(Boston, MA)
Role of Quiescence in Stem Cells and Cancer
2006 Vintner Grant in Honor of Chuck and Anne McMinn

Qihong Huang, M.D., Ph.D.
The Wistar Institute
(Philadelphia, PA)
Identification and Characterization of Stage Specific Metastasis Promoting MicroRNAs Using a Functional Genomics Approach

Eric C. Lai, Ph.D.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
(New York, NY)
Genetic Identification of Cancer-Relevant MicroRNA Activities and Novel MicroRNA Pathway Components

Hanna Mikkola, M.D., Ph.D.
Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of California, Los Angeles
(Los Angeles, CA)
EtO-2 and Epigenetic Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Development and Leukemia

Piers Nash, Ph.D.
University of Chicago Cancer Research
(Chicago, IL)
Modulation of Growth Factor Receptor Signaling and Trafficking via Reversible Ubiquitination

Erik A. Ranheim, M.D., Ph.D.
UW Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Wisconsin
(Madison, WI)
The Role of the Beta-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Normal and Malignant Stem Cell Behavior

Stefan Riedl, Ph.D.
The Burnham Institute
(La Jolla, CA)
Exploring the Structural Mechanisms of Cancer Signaling Complexes for Drug Development

Laura Rush, DVM, Ph.D.
Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Ohio State University
(Columbus, OH)
A Transgenic Mouse Model for Elucidating the Role of DNMT3b in Hematopoietic Malignancies

Reuben J. Shaw, Ph.D.
Salk Institute Cancer Center
Salk Institute
(La Jolla, CA)
Role of LKB1/AMPK Signaling in Tumor Growth and Metabolism

Muneesh Tewari, M.D., Ph.D.
Fred Hutchinson/University of Washington Cancer Consortium
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
(Seattle, WA)
Silencing of microRNA Genes in Colon Cancer by Genomic Methylation

Zhenge John Wang, Ph.D.
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Case Western Reserve University
(Cleveland, OH)
Dissecting tumor suppressor signaling of receptor tyrosine phosphatase T in colorectal cancer

2006 Designated Grants

Georgia Tech Emory Program for Innovative Cancer Technologies
Winship Cancer Institute
(Atlanta, GA)
Support of Emory-Georgia Tech Nanotechnology Center for Personalized and Predictive Oncology
Funded by 2006 Atlanta Friends of V

Peter Albertsen, M.D.
Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Connecticut Health Center
(Farmington, CT)
The Potential Role of Estrogen on the Inhibition of Both Osteoclastogenisi and Skelton Metastasis Formation in Men with Prostate Cancer: A Pilot Study
Funded by the 2006 Spirit of Jimmy V Gala in Honor of Coach Jim Calhoun

Salvatore Bertolone, M.D.
Children’s Hospital Foundation
Kosair Children’s Hospital
(Louisville, KY)
Research Project in Pediatric Neuroblastoma
Funded by the Louisville Friends of V

Stephen Forman, M.D.
City of Hope National Medical Center
Beckman Research Institute
(Duarte, CA)
Tim Nesvig Research Fund for Lymphoma Research
Funded by ESPN in Memory of Tim Nesvig

Robert Greiner, M.D.
Duke Children's Hospital and Health Center
(Durham, NC)
Jim Valvano Fellowship in Pediatric Cancer Research
Funded by the Chuck and Anne McMinn Family and The Jimmy V Celebrity Junior Golf Tournament

Sridharan Gururangan, M.D.
Hai Yan , M.D., Ph.D
The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center
Duke University Medical Center
(Durham, NC)
In Honor of Payton Wright

Alok Khorana, M.D.
James P. Wilmont Cancer Center at Strong
University of Rochester Medical Center
(Rochester, NY)
Identifying Biomarkers of Thromboembolism in Colorectal Cancer Patients Receiving Bevacizumab
Funded by Marketing Research Consultants in Honor of Gil Hatch

Joseph Nevins, M.D.
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center
Duke University Medical Center
(Durham, NC)
Programs to Develop Genomic Strategies for Personalized Cancer Treatment
Partners In Excellence collaborative grant with UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in Honor of Jamie Valvano Howard and Kelly Jo Dowd

Charles Perou, M.D.
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(Chapel Hill, NC)
Programs to Develop Genomic Strategies for Personalized Cancer Treatment
Partners In Excellence collaborative grant with Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center in Honor of Jamie Valvano Howard and Kelly Jo Dowd

Aleksandra Petrovic, M.D.
All Children’s Hospital Foundation
(St. Petersburg, FL)
T-Cell Homing in Intestinal Graft Versus Host Disease
Funded by 2006 Dick Vitale’s Evening with the Stars in Honor of Timmy Berg

Shari Pilon-Thomas, Ph.D.
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
University of South Florida
(Tampa, FL)
Radiation Therapy Followed by T Cell Transfer and Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Established Melanoma Funded by 2006 Dick Vitale’s Evening with the Stars

Charles Powell, M.D.
Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
College of Physicians & Surgeons Columbia Universi
(New York, NY)
Project in Lung Cancer Research
Funded by UNICO International in Memory of Richard Juliano

George Y.C. Wong, Ph.D.
Strang Cancer Prevention Center
(New York, NY)
Chinese Herbal Medicine Research Program for Breast Cancer
Funded by the 2006 Spirit of Jimmy V Gala in Honor of Coach Jim Boeheim

2006 Translational Grants

Vadim Backman, Ph.D.
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
Northwestern University
(Chicago, IL)
Noninvasive Diagnosis of Early Pancreatic Cancer: a Biophotonics Approach

Alan P. Fields, Ph.D.
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
(Jacksonville, FL)
Inhibition of Oncogenic PKCι in the treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung

Anil Potti, M.D.
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center
Duke University Medical Center
(Durham, NC)
Signatures of Oncogenic Pathway Deregulation Provide a Novel Approach to Targeted Therapeutics in Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma
2006 Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic Volunteer Grant in Honor of David Ingraham and Jeff Slack

Ann Richmond, Ph.D.
Jeff Sosman, M.D.
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Vanderbilt University
(Nashville, TN)
Over the past few years, the understanding of the specific gains and losses of critical cell functions in melanoma have generated excitement for targeted therapy in this disease. We now know of a number of critical pathways within the melanoma cell regulated by specific enzyme proteins, called kinases, that no longer function normally. We will study the effect of blocking these pathways with new inhibitors in hope of improving the clinical outcome of melanoma patients.

Kevin Shannon, M.D.
UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center & Cancer Research Institute
University of California San Francisco
(San Francisco, CA)
Targeting Deregulated Signaling Networks in Leukemia Stem Cells
In Honor of Beth Jarvis

Robert H. Silverman, Ph.D.
Cleveland Clinic Foundation - Lerner Research Institute
(Cleveland, OH)
Monitoring XMRV Infections in Prostate Cancer

2005 Grants

2005 V Scholar Grants

Robert Baiocchi, M.D., Ph.D.
Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Ohio State University
(Columbus, OH)
Exploring mechanisms of resistance to histone deacetylase inhibitor-induced apoptosis in Epstein-Barr virus associated malignancies

Pilar Blancafort, Ph.D.
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(Chapel Hill, NC)
Regulation of metastatic progression of breast tumors by zinc finger transcription factors selected from combinatorial libraries 2005 JVCGC Volunteer Grant in honor of Julie Stewart

Wei Chen, Ph.D.
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center
Duke University Medical Center
(Durham, NC)
Regulation of Hedgehog/Smoothened Signaling in Pancreatic Cancer

Nadia Dahmane, Ph.D.
The Wistar Institute
(Philadelphia, PA)
Mechanisms regulating cerebellar development and medulloblastoma

Randall S. Davis, M.D.
UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Alabama at Birmingham
(Birmingham, AL)
Role of Fc Receptor Homologs in B Cell Malignancy

Patricia Ernst, Ph.D.
Norris Cotton Cancer Center
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
(Hanover, NH)
Epigenetic Mechanisms of Leukemogenesis: Defining MLL-Dependent Pathways Governing Cell Growth and Differentiation

Elsa R. Flores, Ph.D.
MD Anderson Cancer Center
University of Texas
(Houston, TX)
Investigating the roles of p63 and p73 in anti-tumorigenic pathways

Ananda W. Goldrath, Ph.D.
Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center
University of California, San Diego
(San Diego, CA)
Control of memory T cell generation and lymphoma formation by E protein transcription factors Funded by the NFL Referees Association in memory of Jack Gatto

Johanna Joyce, Ph.D.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
(New York, NY)
Dissecting the role of cysteine cathepsins in cancer Funded in memory of Linda Rekant

Anthony Letai, M.D., Ph.D.
Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
(Boston, MA)
Targeting viral-mediated escape from apoptosis in cancer

Kevin D. Mills, Ph.D.
The Jackson Laboratory Cancer Center
(Bar Harbor, ME)
Homologous Recombination in Genome Stability and Tumor Suppression

Gary W. Reuther, Ph.D.
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
University of South Florida
(Tampa, FL)
Characterization of a Novel Mutation in the Interleukin-27 Receptor in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Davide Ruggero, Ph.D.
Fox Chase Cancer Center
(Philadelphia, PA)
Role of elF4E in Control of Programmed Cell Death and Tumorigenesis

Toshiyasu Taniguchi, M.D., Ph.D.
Fred Hutchinson/University of Washington Cancer Consortium
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
(Seattle, WA)
Mechanism of BRCA2/FANCD1 protein inactivation/reactivation in ovarian cancer cells during cisplatin treatment

Osamu Tetsu, M.D., Ph.D.
UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center & Cancer Research Institute
University of California, San Francisco
(San Francisco, CA)
Identification of the E3 ligase for cyclin D1 ubiquitination and degradation Funded by The Wine Celebration in honor of Michael Holmes

Lisa L. Wang, M.D.
Texas Children's Cancer Center
(Houston, TX)
Mechanism of Aneuploidy in a Genetic Model of Osteosarcoma

Rui Zhao, Ph.D.
University of Colorado Cancer Center
University of Colorado at Denver & Health Sciences
(Denver, CO)
Structural analyses of Six1 transcriptional complexes for anti-cancer drug design

Lee Zou, Ph.D.
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
(Boston, MA)
Checkpoint Signaling and the Stability of Fragile Sites in Human Cells

2005 Designated Grants

Georgia Tech Emory Program for Innovative Cancer Technologies
(Atlanta, GA)
Funded by Atlanta Friends of V

Salvatore Bertolone, M.D.
Kosair Children’s Hospital
(Louisville, KY)
Funded by Louisville Friends of V

Jessica Fu, M.D.
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(Chapel Hill, NC)
Funded by 2005 Junior Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic

Paola Gehrig, M.D.
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(Chapel Hill, NC)
Funded by 2004 Jimmy V Women’s Basketball Classic

Gary Onik, M.D.
Florida Hospital Celebration Health
(Celebration, FL)
Funded by Anglers Against Cancer

Charles Powell, M.D.
Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
(New York, NY)
Funded by UNICO International in memory of Richard Juliano

Gwen Quinn, Ph.D.
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
University of South Florida
(Tampa, FL)
Funded by Tampa Friends of V

Michel Sadelain, M.D., Ph.D.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
(New York, NY)
Funded by the 2005 Spirit if Jimmy V New York Gala In honor of Rudolph W. Giuliani

2005 Translational Grants

D. Gary Gilliland, M.D., Ph.D.
James D. Griffin, M.D.
Martin Sattler, Ph.D.
Richard Stone, M.D.
Martha Wadleigh, M.D.
Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
(Boston, MA)
Developing Novel Therapies for Myeloproliferative Diseases
Funded by the AACR Foundation

Susan Groshen, Ph.D.
Robert D. Ladner, Ph.D.
Heinz-Josef Lenz, M.D.
USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Southern California
(Los Angeles, CA)
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as a Novel Approach to Combination Chemotherapy in Colon Cancer

Donn C. Young, Ph.D.
Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Ohio State University
(Columbus, OH)
Evaluating the Genetics and Pharmacodynamics of EGFR Blockade in African Americans with Lung Cancer 2005 JVCGC Benefactor Award in honor of Charles Barkley

2004 Grants

2004 V Scholar Grants

Iannis Aifantis, Ph.D.
University of Chicago Cancer Research Center
(Chicago, IL)
Pre-T Cell Receptor signaling as a key regulator of acute T cell leukemia
2004 Vintner Grant in honor of Garen and Shari Staglin

Woojin An, Ph.D.
USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Southern California
(Los Angeles, CA)
Critical role of acetylation and phosphorylation of p53 in cofactor recruitment and transcriptional activation

James E. Bear, Ph.D.
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(Chapel Hill, NC)
The role of Coronins in actin-based cell motility and metastasis
In honor of Frank McCann

Marcia S. Brose, M.D., Ph.D.
Abramson Cancer Center
University of Pennsylvania
(Philadelphia, PA)
The emerging role of genetic analysis in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer

Andrew B. Herr, Ph.D.
University of Cincinnati
(Cincinnati, OH)
Structure-based design of an anti-tumor antibody to activate multiple immune pathways

Xuejun Jiang, Ph.D.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
(New York, NY)
Investigation of a novel cell death regulatory pathway

Elizabeth R. Lawlor, M.D., Ph.D., FRCPD
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
(Los Angeles, CA)
Effects of EWS/FlI-1Expression on the Developing Neural Crest: A Novel Model of Ewing’s Sarcoma Tumorigenesis

Susan E. Lyons, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Michigan
(Ann Arbor, MI)
Discovery of genes required for myeloid development using a zebrafish model

Amy E. Pasquinelli, Ph.D.
Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center
University of California, San Diego
(San Diego, CA)
Expression of microRNAs and cancer
In honor of Andrew and Julie Constantin

Jeffrey C. Rathmell, Ph.D.
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center
Duke University Medical Center
(Durham, NC)
Cell survival and glucose uptake in cancer and autoimmunity
2004 JVCGC Volunteer Grant in honor of Bruce and Susie Foster

Sarah Rice, Ph.D.
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
Northwestern University
(Chicago, IL)
A potential general regulator for kinesin motors

Sansana Sawasdikosol, Ph.D.
NYU Cancer Institute
New York University Medical Center
(New York, NY)
The role of prostaglandin E2 and HPK1 in tumor-mediated immune suppression

Loren D. Walensky, M.D., Ph.D.
Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
(Boston, MA)
Targeting cell death pathways in cancer using hydrocarbon-stapled helices

Yong Wan, Ph.D.
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
(Pittsburgh, PA)
Role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in genomic integrity and tumor formation

Michael L. Whitfield, Ph.D.
Norris Cotton Cancer Center
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
(Hanover, NH)
Genome-wide programs of cell growth and division

2004 Designated Grants

Winship Cancer Institute and Georgia Institute of Technology
Winship Cancer Institute and Georgia Institute of
(Atlanta, GA)
Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering
Funded by the Atlanta Friends of V

University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
(Pittsburgh, PA)
Funded by Show Your Spirit

Roswell Park Cancer Institute
(Buffalo, NY)
Funded by Show Your Spirit Program

Salvatore Bertolone, M.D.
Kosair Children’s Hospital
(Louisville, KY)
Funded by The Louisville Friends of V

James S. Economu, M.D., Ph.D.
Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of California, Los Angeles
(Los Angeles, CA)
Emerging Therapies in Colon Cancer
Funded by ESPN, Inc., and the Los Angeles Lakers

Joel Levine, M.D.
Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Connecticut Health Center
(Farmington, CT)
Early Diagnosis and Prevention of Colon Cancer in High Risk Patients
Yetta Simon Memorial Grant funded by Marketing Research Consultants

Mokenge P. Malafa, M.D.
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
University of South Florida
(Tampa, FL)
Targeting EGFR Dependent Human Pancreatic Cancer
Funded by the Tampa Friends of V in memory of Paul Majersky

Carolyn Sartor, M.D.
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(Chapel Hill, NC)
Funded by the 2003 Jimmy V Women’s Basketball Classic

Gregory Smith, M.D.
St. Helena Hospital
(St. Helena, CA)
Funded by the Wine Celebration

Walter Stadler, M.D.
University of Chicago
Pritzker School of Medicine
(Chicago, IL)
Investigating antiangiogenic drugs in the treatment of prostate cancer through dynamic contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques
Funded by the Windy City Golf Classic in memory of Michael Klein

2004 Translational Grants

Kellie Archer, Ph.D.
Harry D. Bear, M.D., Ph.D.
Catherine Isabelle Dumur, Ph.D.
Carleton T. Garrett, M.D., Ph.D.
Peter O'Connell, Ph.D.
Massey Cancer Center
Virginia Commonwealth University
(Richmond, VA)
Tumor Genetic Profiling: New predictive assays for breast cancer therapy

Daphne Bell, Ph.D.
Daniel Haber, M.D., Ph.D.
Eunice Kwak, M.D., Ph.D.
Thomas Lynch, M.D.
Jeffrey E. Settleman, Ph.D.
Raffaella Sordella, Ph.D.
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
(Boston, MA)
Mechanism of acquired resistance to Iressa in non-small cell lung cancer
In memory of Christopher T. Carroll

John Byrd, M.D.
Ching-Shih Chen, Ph.D.
Michael Freitas, Ph.D.
Michael Grever, Ph.D.
Samual Kulp, Ph.D.
David Lucas, Ph.D.
Mark R. Parthun, Ph.D.
Amy Sklenar, B.S.
Xiaodan Su, Ph.D.
Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Ohio State University
(Columbus, OH)
Chromatin regulation as a therapeutic target to enhance biologic therapies in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Partially funded by Cardinal Health

John M. Chirgwin, Ph.D.
Theresa A. Guise, M.D.
Michelle Heine, R.N, M.S.
Aileen Heras-Herzig, M.D.
Wende M. Kozlow, M.D.
Richard Santen, M.D.
UVA Cancer Center
University of Virginia, Health Sciences Center
(Charlottesville, VA)
Effects of a high bone turnover state induced by estrogen deficiency on the development and progression of breast cancer and bone metastases
2004 JVCGC Benefactor Grant in honor of GlaxoSmithKline

2003 Grants

2003 V Scholar Grants

Gerard C. Blobe, M.D., Ph.D.
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center
Duke University Medical Center
(Durham, NC)
Title Identification of Mechanisms for TGF-β Resistance and for the Dichotomous Function of TGF-β in Mammary Carcinogenesis

Anjen Chenn, M.D., Ph.D.
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
Northwestern University
(Chicago, IL)
Mechanisms of Beta Catenin in Cancer and Brain Development

Ramana Davuluri, Ph.D.
Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Ohio State University
(Columbus, OH)
Computational approaches to explore transcriptional regulation in hematopoiesis and leukemia

James DiRenzo, Ph.D.
Norris Cotton Cancer Center
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical School
(Lebanon, NH)
Transcriptional Control of Multi-potency in Mammary Epithelia

Lawrence Fong, M.D.
UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center & Cancer Research Institute
University of California, San Francisco
(San Francisco, CA)
Induction and Characterization of Tumor-Specific T cells in vivo Funded by The V Foundation Wine Celebration

Douglas K. Graham, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Colorado Cancer Center
University of Colorado at Denver & Health Sciences
(Denver, CO)
Use of transgenic mouse models to define a potential role of the proto-oncogene mer in pediatric acute lymphocytic leukemia

Prasad V. Jallepalli, M.D., Ph.D.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
(New York, NY)
Targeting chromosomal instability for cancer therapy In honor of Frank Cannata

Deanna M. Koepp, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota Cancer Center
(Minneapolis, MN)
The Rote of SCF Ubiquitin Ligases in Cyclin E Proteolysis

Shaoguang Li, M.D., Ph.D.
The Jackson Laboratory Cancer Center
(Bar Harbor, ME)
Genetic identification of key signaling molecules that have therapeutic potential for treating more advanced leukemias induced by the BCR/ABL oncogene

Ben Ho Park, M.D., Ph.D.
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
at Johns Hopkins University
(Baltimore, MD)
Understanding BRCA-1 Function by Targeted Gene Disruption in a Somatic Normal Breast Ipithelial Cell Line
Funded by the NFL Referees Association in honor of their wives and mothers

W. Kimryn Rathmell, M.D., Ph.D.
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(Chapel Hill, NC)
Functional effects of von Hippel-Lindau gene mutations in tumorigenesis JVCGC Volunteer Grant in Memory of John Geddes

Maria S. Soengas, Ph.D.
Univeristy of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Michigan
(Ann Arbor, MI)
Inactivation of Apoptosis in Melanoma Progression and Drug Resistance

Götz-Ulrich von Bülow, Ph.D.
Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center
(Indianapolis, IN)
Validation of a role for TACI in prostate neoplasia

Lin Zhang, Ph.D.
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
(Pittsburgh, PA)
Defects in apoptotic machinery and altered response to anticancer agents in human cancer cells

Sandra S. Zinkel, M.D., Ph.D.
Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
(Boston, MA)
Bid Function in Myeloid Homeostasis and Leukemogenesis

2003 Designated Grants

UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center & Cancer Research Institute
University of California, San Francisco
(San Francisco, CA)
Joan Rombauer Endowed Fellowship in Pancreatic Cancer Research

Larry K. Kvols, M.D.
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
University of South Florida
(Tampa, FL)
JVCGC Benefactor Grant in Honor of Gary Romp

Arnold J. Levine, Ph.D.
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
(New Brunswick, NJ)
Molecular Profiling of Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Funded by UNICO International in memory of James Mattiace

Cheryl London, DVM, Ph.D.
UC Davis Cancer Center
University of California, Davis
(Sacramento, CA)
2003 Vintner Grant in Honor of Marc Beringer

Ravi Salgia, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Chicago
Pritzker School of Medicine
(Chicago, IL)
Guy Geleerd Memorial Research Grant

2003 Translational Grants

Diane M. Da Silva, Ph.D.
W. Martin Kast, Ph.D.
I. Caroline Le Poole, Ph.D.
Laila Muderspach, M.D.
Jeffrey S. Weber, M.D., Ph.D.
USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Southern California
(Los Angeles, CA)
A New Approach for Dendritic Cell-Based Cancer Immunotheraphy for Cervical Cancer

Paul Dent, Ph.D.
Steven Grant, M.D.
John Roberts, M.D.
Massey Cancer Center
Virginia Commonwealth University
(Richmond, VA)
Combined Proteasome and Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibition: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy in Hematologic Malignancies

Amar Gajjar, M.D.
Richard J. Gilbertson, M.D., Ph.D.
Helen Poppleton, Ph.D.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
(Memphis, TN)
The Role of ERBB2 signaling in Pediatric Medulloblastoma

2002 Grants

2002 V Scholar Grants

Ricardo C.T. Aguiar, M.D., Ph.D.,
Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
(Boston, MA)
Validate the Potential Role of a Gene Named PDE4B in the Development and Progression of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLB-CL)

Gabriele Bergers, Ph.D.,
UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center & Cancer Research Institute
University of California, San Francisco
(San Francisco, CA)
Identification of Mechanisms and Factors Implicated in Angiogenesis During Development and Progression of the Highly Vascularized Cancers of the Pancreas and Brain Funded by The V Foundation Wine Celebration

Fred Bunz, M.D., Ph.D.,
Sydney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
at Johns Hopkins University
(Baltimore, MD)
Genetic Determinants of Therapeutic Sensitivity in Colon Cancer Cells: the Role of Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins in the Theraputic Sensitivity of Tumor Cells

Arul M. Chinnaiyan, M.D., Ph.D.,
University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Michigan
(Ann Arbor, MI)
Transcriptome Analysis of Breast and Prostate Cancer Reveals Connections to Fatty Acid Metabolism

Frank B. Furnari, Ph.D.,
Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center
University of California, San Diego
(San Diego, CA)
Analysis of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling Impingement on PTEN Function in Glioma

Denis C. Guttridge, Ph.D.,
Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Ohio State University
(Columbus, OH)
Cancer Cachexia, A Debilitating Metabolic Disorder Characterized by Extreme Muscle Wasting

Joseph G. Hacia, Ph.D.,
USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Southern California
(Los Angeles, CA)
Molecular Characterization of Aids-related Lymphomas

Jan Karlseder, Ph.D.,
Salk Institute Cancer Center
Salk Institute
(La Jolla, CA)
Differences Between Primary Cells and Tumor Cells, in Regard to the Mechanism of Chromosome End Protection

Ralf Landgraf, Ph.D.,
Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of California, Los Angeles
(Los Angeles, CA)
Ligand-independent Self-association of HER2 and HER3 Receptors: Identification of Responsible Protein Interfaces and Their Contribution to Cellular Transformation in HER2

Jason D. Lieb, Ph.D.
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(Chapel Hill, NC)
Understanding Specificity and Function in Protein-Genome Interactions

Kay Macleod, Ph.D.,
University of Chicago Cancer Research Center
(Chicago, IL)
Understanding the Functions of Novel Forms of the Rb Tumor Suppressor in Human Cancer

Robert A. Marciniak, M.D., Ph.D.,
San Antonio Cancer Institute
University of Texas Health Science Center at San A
(San Antonio, TX)
ALT Telomere Maintenance Mechanisms and the Proteins Involved in ALT Telomere Maintenance.

Senthil K. Muthuswamy, Ph.D.,
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
(Cold Spring Harbor, NY)
Molecular Mechanisms by which ErbB Receptors Initiate Breast Cancer

Man-Wah Tan, Ph.D.,
Stanford University School of Medicine
(Stanford, CA)
Identification and Characterization of Novel Components in TGF-beta Signaling Funded by The V Foundation Wine Celebration

Valeri Vasioukhin, Ph.D.,
Fred Hutchinson/University of Washington Cancer Consortium
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
(Seattle, WA)
The Functional Role of Serine Protease Hepsin in Prostate Cancer.

Robert H. Vonderheide, M.D., D. Phil.,
Abramson Cancer Center
University of Pennsylvania
(Philadelphia, PA)
Evaluation of T helper cell epitopes derived from the universal tumor antigen telomerase.

Jennifer Westendorf, Ph.D.,
University of Minnesota Cancer Center
(Minneapolis, MN)
Deregulated Runx2 Activity in Cancer-Associated Bone Disease.

2002 Designated Grants

Queen of the Valley Hospital
V Foundation Cancer Rehabilitation Center
(Napa Valley, CA)
Funded by The V Foundation Wine Celebration

Peter Albertsen, M.D.
Pamela Taxel, M.D.
Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Connecticut Health Center
(Farmington, CT)
The potential role of Estrogen on the Inhibition of both Osteoclastogenesis and Skeletal Metastasis formation in Men with Prostate Cancer. Funded by UNICO International in memory of Leo Diana

Lynne Bemis, Ph.D.
University of Colorado Cancer Center
University of Colorado at Denver & Health Sciences
(Denver, CO)
The development and Introduction of Rational, Molecular Based Therapy for Human Malignant Melanoma Vintner Grant in Honor of Arlene Cosentino Funded by The V Foundation Wine Celebration

Andrew Krivoshik, M.D., Ph.D.,
Duke Children's Hospital and Health Center
(Durham, NC)
Funded by The Jimmy V Celebrity Junior Golf Classic
The Jim Valvano Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Cancer Research

Paul Meyers, M.D.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
(New York, NY)
Funded in Memory of Todd Bucher

Victoria Seewaldt, M.D.
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center
Duke University Medical Center
(Durham, NC)
Funded by the Jimmy V Women's Basketball Classic
Research-focused breast cancer chemoprevention clinic.

2002 Translational Grants

Linzhao Cheng, Ph.D.
Hyam I. Levitsky, M.D.,
Martin G. Pomper, M.D. ,Ph.D.
Richard Wahl, M.D.,
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
at Johns Hopkins University
(Baltimo