ASU Professor Wins National Cancer Research Award
By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
An Alabama State University biology professor has received national recognition for his outstanding contributions in the field of cancer research. ASU's Dr. Manoj Mishra received the "Outstanding Achievement Award" from the Society of American-Asian Scientists in Cancer Research (SAASCR) for his "unique contributions" to cancer research and student education. The award was presented on April 10 in New Orleans.
SAASCR is a non-profit, non-political organization with more than 5000 member-scientists from across the United States. MIshra is well known for his research and government grant awards in the fields of prostate and other cancers. He is the founder and director of ASU's Cancer Biology Research and Training (CBRT) group.
"This award means a lot to me personally because it is satisfying to see that people notice the quality work we are doing on our campus by faculty members with the assistance of our scholarly students. All of this continues to allow ASU to be present and acknowledged on the global stage of education,” Mishra said.
CANCER RESEARCH AT ASU
ASU's award-winning professor of Biology explains that the work his laboratory does on campus focuses on modulating human immune cells so they can best fight cancer.
"We apply different strategies such as scientific and dietary modifications that modulate immune cells. We primarily use prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, breast, and ovarian cancers as a model system in our research. We have learned that effective cancer education and community engagement are essential in limiting cancer incidences while increasing health equity in society," Mishra stated.
MISHRA UTILIZES A 'COMMUNIVERSITY' APPROACH
Since he founded ASU's CBRT program, the group has been involved in training high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, postdoctoral research associates, and even junior faculty in the diverse area of cancer education and research.
Mishra says one of his primary objectives is to engage and involve students in his research endeavors.
"Engaging and training students in cancer research allows them to learn about cancer development and progression in such wide-ranging research topics as cancer immunotherapy, cancer outreach, cancer awareness, cancer mapping-using geospatial technology, as well as community engagement to disseminate cancer education to a broader array of residents," Mishra shared.
"Since most cancers are considered health disparity diseases, educating students in the cancer education field will help enhance health equity while helping make their careers more robust and successful. Enhancing our student's future, while combating this deadly disease are objectives that I enjoy."
News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.
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