HCLA 2013: Researcher

WINNER

researcherDR. ROBERT KUSKE
Arizona Breast Cancer Specialists

Kuske is the pioneer of breast brachytherapy, a five-day radiation therapy alternative for women with early stage breast cancer. Brachytherapy, or partial breast irradiation, has been studied by Kuske since 1991 as a treatment method after lumpectomy. He’s co-principal investigator in the largest breast cancer radiation trial in history, testing six-week whole breast radiation versus brachytherapy. Kuske is within a year of finishing the trial and believes the results will cause the biggest paradigm shift in breast cancer treatment since Sir William Halsted in 1896.


FINALISTS

ADRIENNE C. SCHECK, PH.D.

Barrow Neurological Institute Scheck and her team of brain cancer researchers effectively treated brain tumor cells using a combination of diet and radiation therapy. The study examined the effects of the ketogenic diet in conjunction with radiation therapy for the treatment of malignant gliomas, an aggressive and deadly brain tumor. The diet’s effects on brain homeostasis have potential for the treatment of other neurological diseases.

HEATHER CUNLIFFE, PH.D.
Translational Genomics Research Institute

Cunliffe’s research leverages knowledge gained through whole genome surveys to understand molecular mechanisms driving malignant progression of breast and ovarian cancers, including evolution of drug-resistance. The objective is to dissect and functionally understand oncogenic signaling and tumor cell survival mechanisms within different biological contexts, and to translate these discoveries for enhanced clinical management for breast and ovarian cancer.


HCLA 2013 Winners & Finalists

AZ Business Magazine March/April 2013