Hirshberg Foundation Awards and Grants 2010

We are pleased to announce the selection of 2010-2011 Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research Seed Grant Award recipients. The purpose of our seed grant program is to impact the understanding of pancreatic cancer cell biology, biochemistry, physiology and response to treatment. We hope that future collaborations among researchers from major cancer institutions will advance our goal of improved treatment options and the eventual cure for this disease.

	Andrea Viale, MD Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA Department of Medical Oncology “The role of oncogenic K-RAS in self–renewal and maintenance of cancer stem cells in pancreatic cancer”
	Ying Ma, PhD University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX Department of Immunology “Mast cell blockage as immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer”
	Larry Karnitz, PhD Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN Department of Radiation Oncology “An innovative drug combination for pancreatic cancer”
	Guido Eibl, MD University of California, Los Angeles, CA Department of Surgery “Western diet-induced pancreatic cancer”

The Hirshberg Foundation awards the best abstract presentations during the national meeting of the American Pancreatic Association (APA), which brings together an international group of scientists and clinicians to identify the best course of treatment and discuss the most up to date research results for pancreatic diseases.  The 41st Annual APA Meeting was held November 3-6, 2010 in Chicago. The Hirshberg Foundation sponsored the keynote lecture, as well as the awards for Best Clinical Abstract and Best Basic Science Abstracts.

We are pleased to announce the 2010 APA Award Recipients.

Best Clinical Abstract
Presented to: Gaurav Aggarwal, MBBS
Mayo Clinic
New onset Diabetes in Pancreatic Cancer: A study in the primary care setting

Best Basic Science Abstract
Presented to: Farzad Esni, PhD
University of Pittsburgh
Loss of Hif2a Accelerates the Progression of Kras-Mediated Pancreatic Neoplasia