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Huntsman Cancer Institute established The Society of Huntsman Translational Scholars, an initiative that recognizes excellence in the discipline of translational science. Translational researchers extend basic discoveries made in the laboratory and apply them to solve clinical problems and benefit patients through new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Leaders at Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah recently recognized three physician-scientists with a Huntsman Translational Scholar award: Gita Suneja, MD, MS; Siwen Hu-Lieskovan, MD, PhD; and Douglas Sborov, MD, MS.
Recognition as a Huntsman Translational Scholar provides financial support to promote studies that accelerate the development of new cancer treatments. The awardees also work as a team to share best practices and mentor other scientists interested in translational cancer research.
Gita Suneja, MD, MS
Gita Suneja, MD, MS is a radiation oncologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate professor of radiation oncology at the University of Utah. Her clinical specialties include the treatment of breast and gynecologic cancers. Her research focuses on enhancing health equity to improve cancer outcomes for all people. Suneja completed her medical degree at Brown University and served as chief resident during her radiation oncology residency training at the University of Pennsylvania.
Siwen Hu-Lieskovan, MD, PhD
Siwen Hu-Lieskovan, MD, PhD is a physician-scientist and director of solid tumor immunotherapy at Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate professor of medicine at the University of Utah. She specializes in caring for people with melanoma and other skin cancers. Hu-Lieskovan completed her medicine residency at the University of Southern California and oncology training at the University of California, Los Angeles. She develops clinical trials to test new immunotherapy approaches to improve outcome for patients diagnosed with solid cancers and investigate ways to overcome resistance and prevent side effects from immunotherapy.
Douglas Sborov, MD, MS
Douglas Sborov, MD, MS is a physician-scientist and director of the multiple myeloma program at Huntsman Cancer Institute and assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Utah. He primarily researches treatment for patients with multiple myeloma. Sborov completed medical school through American University of the Caribbean and completed his training in Salt Lake City.
“The Society of Huntsman Translational Scholars was designed to support a community of distinguished cancer researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute,” says Neli Ulrich, PhD, executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute. “Translational Scholars are inspirational members of our community who embody our core values and demonstrate extraordinary commitment to our mission.”
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About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering a cancer-free frontier to all communities in the area we serve. We have more than 300 open clinical trials and 250 research teams studying cancer at any given time. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient’s unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.