WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Association for Cancer Research applauds President Obama's nomination of Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., to be the 16th director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
"Dr. Collins is an excellent scientist and skillful administrator," said Tyler Jacks, Ph.D., president of the American Association for Cancer Research. "His leadership of the National Human Genome Research Institute and the Human Genome Project has demonstrated his talent for identifying new areas of investigation and his skill in guiding large-scale research endeavors. He has continued and extended this work through collaborations with scientists at the National Cancer Institute on The Cancer Genome Atlas, an effort to understand the genetic basis of the many diseases we call cancer.
"Dr. Collins' vision and leadership will be critical in realizing the promise of cancer research and of biomedical research more generally to revolutionize health care. As we look for innovative ways to help the United States sustain its leadership in medical research, expand training opportunities for the next generation of scientists, and stimulate local and regional economies to create jobs, Dr. Collins' experience and insight will be invaluable," said Jacks.
The AACR looks forward to working with Dr. Collins as new scientific discoveries transform the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The AACR urges the Senate to confirm him with haste.
The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes more than 28,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and nearly 90 other countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts more than 17,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment and patient care. The AACR publishes six major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention; and Cancer Prevention Research. The AACR also publishes CR, a magazine for cancer survivors and their families, patient advocates, physicians and scientists. CR provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship and advocacy.