April 10, 2009

Purdue Cancer Center selects recipient for first Challenge Research Award

The first Purdue Cancer Center Challenge Research Award has been presented to Julia Kirshner, assistant professor of biological sciences.

The $30,000 award will allow Kirshner to build a biological model to test new drugs on cancer cells that are resistant to currently used therapies and that are capable of starting a tumor or causing a relapse. 

Funds for the grant came from the inaugural Purdue Cancer Center Challenge 5K run/walk in 2008 in which more than 1,000 people participated to raise awareness and funding for cancer research.

"I would like to thank everyone whose generous donation made it possible for me to receive the Challenge award," Kirshner says. "I would also like to thank Purdue Cancer Center for awarding me this money and for having faith in my research."

All Purdue Cancer Center researchers were invited to apply for the cancer-focused research award. The winner was selected by Timothy Ratliff, the center's director, and the center's executive committee.

Kirshner will be recognized before the start of this year's Challenge, which begins at  8:30 a.m. April 18 at Ross-Ade Stadium. She also will speak about her project at the awards ceremony following the race.

Participants are still being sought for this year's event. The registration fee is $18 for students and $20 for non-students. More information is available online at www.purduecancercenter.com.

The goal for this year is recruit 2,000 participants and to raise more than $50,000 to go toward future research awards.