News Release

Damon Runyon and Doris Duke Foundations announce partnership to support physician-scientists

Business Announcement

Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation

New York, NY, July 1, 2010 – The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation (DRCRF) and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) are pleased to announce their partnership in supporting an early career physician-scientist. Tobias J.E. Carling, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Yale University School of Medicine has been named as the first Doris Duke-Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator.

Dr. Carling will receive a total of $486,000 over three years for his project "Molecular Genetics of Endocrine Tumor Disease" (see below for lay summary). In addition, DRCRF will retire up to $100,000 of any qualifying outstanding medical school debt still owed by Dr. Carling.

“It is a great honor to receive the Doris Duke-Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award for my research and scientific career development and to be supported by two of the most prestigious private medical research foundations in the country,” said Dr. Carling.

The Damon Runyon and Doris Duke Foundations support young physician-scientists through similar grant programs, the Clinical Investigator Award and Clinical Scientist Development Award, respectively. Dr. Carling was recommended to receive each of these awards following rigorous independent peer review processes by both Foundations.

"There is a significant shortage of talented physician-scientists dedicated to translating research from the laboratory to the patient's bedside in search of breakthrough treatments," said Lorraine Egan, Executive Director of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. "Both Foundations are highly committed to encouraging the careers of these unique individuals."

"We're delighted to be partnering with the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation to fund Dr. Carling's project," said Ed Henry, president of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. "This award allows Dr. Carling the financial and professional benefits of being affiliated with both DDCF and DRCRF."

Lay Summary of Research

Dr. Carling focuses on endocrine tumors, a type of cancer which affects hormone-producing tissues in the body (such as the thyroid, pituitary gland, adrenal gland and islet cells of the pancreas). The underlying genetic basis for endocrine tumors is not yet known. Dr. Carling's goal is to complete a comprehensive genomic analysis of patients with endocrine tumor disease in order to identify individual genes involved in early cancer formation. His research will provide important insights into the development of endocrine tumors as well as other cancer types, laying the basis for future individualized medical and surgical management of cancer.

Dr. Carling works under the mentorship of Richard P. Lifton, MD, PhD, and Robert Udelsman, MD, MBA.

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DAMON RUNYON CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION

To accelerate breakthroughs, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation provides today's best young scientists with funding to pursue innovative research. The Foundation has gained worldwide prominence in cancer research by identifying outstanding researchers and physician-scientists. Eleven scientists supported by the Foundation have received the Nobel Prize, and others are heads of cancer centers and leaders of renowned research programs. Each of its award programs is extremely competitive, with less than 10% of applications funded. Since its founding in 1946, the Foundation has invested over $220 million and funded more than 3,300 scientists. This year, it will invest approximately $10 million in the most outstanding young investigators in the nation.

The Clinical Investigator Award program is specifically intended to help address the shortage of physicians capable of translating scientific discovery into new breakthroughs for cancer patients. In partnerships with industry sponsors (Eli Lilly and Company, Amgen, Genentech, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and Siemens Medical Solutions), the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has committed more than $35 million to support the careers of 53 physician-scientists across the United States since 2000.

100% of all donations to the Foundation are used to support scientific research. Its administrative and fundraising costs are paid from its Damon Runyon Broadway Tickets Service and endowment.

For more information visit www.damonrunyon.org

CONTACT
Yung S. Lie, PhD
Scientific Director
Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation
yung.lie@damonrunyon.org
212.455.0521

THE DORIS DUKE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The Doris Duke Clinical Scientist Development Award provides grants to junior physician-scientists to facilitate their transition to independent clinical research careers. DDCF has awarded 170 Clinical Scientist Development Awards totaling approximately $72 million since 1998.

Since 1998, the Doris Duke Medical Research Program has committed approximately $360 million to strengthen and support clinical research, which advances the translation of basic biomedical discoveries into new treatments, preventions and cures for human diseases. To learn more about the program or to receive competition announcements, visit www.ddcf.org/mrp.

The mission of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation is to improve the quality of people's lives through grants supporting the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research and the prevention of child maltreatment, and through preservation of the cultural and environmental legacy of Doris Duke's properties.

CONTACT
Reiko Fitzsimonds, PhD
Program Officer
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
rfitzsimonds@ddcf.org
212-974-7105


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