Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Professor and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Investigator Gregory J. Hannon, Ph.D., was named the recipient of the 25th American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cancer Research at its 96th Annual Meeting in Anaheim, CA earlier this month.
Recognized as an accomplished young investigator in the field who is no more than 40 years old at the time the award is conferred, Hannon was honored for his work uncovering the biochemical mechanism of RNA interference of gene expression (RNAi) and his contributions to the discovery and development of short hairpin RNAs as tools for genetic manipulation of mammalian cells.
“We are privileged to acknowledge just a few of the extraordinary men and women who, over the years, have given us a clear understanding of how cancer evolves and of the signals that drive and nourish its growth and spread, and those who have improved patient care and preventive strategies,” said Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.), AACR chief executive officer. “This is an exciting time in cancer research, and the AACR award winners are among the leaders in this new era of discovery, therapeutics, and treatment.”
Dr. Hannon, 40, lives in Huntington with his wife, Gretchen, and their two children, Will, 9, and Claire, 6. He holds a B.A. in biochemistry and a Ph.D. in molecular biology from Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH).
Written by: Communications Department | publicaffairs@cshl.edu | 516-367-8455
About American Association for Cancer Research
Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research is a professional society of more than 24,000 laboratory, translational, and clinical scientists engaged in all areas of cancer research in the United States and in more than 60 other countries. AACR’s mission is to accelerate the prevention and cure of cancer through research, education, communication, and advocacy. Its principal activities include the publication of five major peer-reviewed scientific journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. AACR’s Annual Meeting attracts more than 15,000 participants who share new and significant discoveries in the cancer field. Specialty meetings, held throughout the year, focus on the latest developments in all areas of cancer research.