VANCOUVER, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- British Columbia can today boast the acquisition of an internationally renowned scientist in Dr. Samuel Aparicio, recognized widely for his contributions to genomics and translational medicine, who will be leading a new era in breast cancer research.
Dr. Aparicio’s appointment is the result of an important partnership between the BC Cancer Agency, the BC Cancer Foundation and the University of British Columbia. His research activities will be based at the BC Cancer Agency, and he will also hold the position of the Nan and Lorraine Robertson Chair in Breast Cancer Research at UBC, and the position of Canada Research Chair in Molecular Oncology.
Most recently in the position of senior principal investigator at the Hutchinson-MRC Research Centre at Cambridge University, and Chief Scientific Officer of Paradigm Therapeutics, Dr. Aparicio’s work spans the sequencing and analysis of the puffer fish genome, the identification of gene regulatory sequences, and the discovery of new human drug targets through mouse genetic models.
The BC Cancer Agency’s dedication to translational research was an important incentive in bringing him to the province. The focus of Dr. Aparicio’s research program will be using genetics and genomics to better understand the development of breast cancer, help devise improved detection methods, and identify new therapies. His work will contribute to a basic understanding of other cancers, and he expects to work closely with the ovarian and prostate cancer groups in Vancouver.
Along with research scientists in genetics, pharmacology and bioinformatics, Dr. Aparicio will be recruiting physicians, surgeons, pathologists and other breast cancer specialists to his team. He is confident that the recent opening of the new BC Cancer Research Centre building at the BC Cancer Agency will help attract other investigators, both clinical and non-clinical.
“I trained as a physician in internal medicine and pathology, but I have most of my scientific background and output in basic research and genomics,” said Dr. Aparicio. This allows me to approach key questions from clinical and research perspectives, and to form bridges between clinicians and scientists.”
“The concentration of cancer research at the BC Cancer Agency and its role in delivering cancer care service to the population make it uniquely situated to undertake research bringing clinical medicine and basic science together.”
His interest in bench to bedside research makes Dr. Aparicio’s appointment an excellent fit with the BC Cancer Agency’s focus, said Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, Agency president. “Dr. Aparicio’s appointment represents a significant milestone in the BC Cancer Agency’s efforts to increase the translation of scientific discoveries in genomics to practical applications for people experiencing cancer.”
Dr. Aparicio’s research program at the BC Cancer Agency will be supported by the proceeds from the BC Cancer Foundation’s Weekend to End Breast Cancer. The funding for the Robertson Chair comes from the Robertson Family, UBC, the BC Cancer Agency and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Mary McNeil, president and CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation, said that the Foundation is proud to provide a $14 million commitment to fund Dr. Aparicio’s research. “We are delighted the BC Cancer Foundation, through the amazing commitment of donors and walkers, is able to provide support for Dr. Aparicio’s program.”
“We couldn’t begin to function without the support of the Weekend to End Breast Cancer,” added Dr. Aparicio. “We will be using the funds directly to support the initial work of the Agency’s program - looking at breast cancer in an integrated way, taking in the best elements of basic and clinical science.”
“We welcome the formal announcement of Dr. Aparicio’s appointment today,” said Dr. Lorne Whitehead, UBC Vice-President, Academic and Provost. “Our university community of students and faculty researchers will benefit immensely from his leadership as a Canada Research Chair in Molecular Oncology.”
“We applaud the appointment of Dr. Aparicio and welcome his leadership,” said Jan Engemoen, Executive Director of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC/Yukon Chapter. “In 1996 our founder Judy Caldwell, and CBCF colleagues, had the foresight at the time to invest $627,500 for the provision of BC’s first dedicated chair for breast cancer research. We are now realizing that dream with Dr. Aparicio’s appointment. It takes world class research to truly make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.”
The study of breast cancer has both personal and professional interest for Dr. Aparicio. “Breast cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and although the last 20 years have brought improvements in survival and therapies, we have a lot further to go. My own family was touched by this disease, and I hoped that at some point in my career I might have an opportunity to contribute something to our ability to diagnose and treat breast cancer.”
For more information: Nicole Adams, BC Cancer Agency (604) 877-6272 nadams@bccancer.bc.ca Penny Noble, BC Cancer Foundation (604) 707-5902 pnoble@bccancer.bc.ca Hilary Thomson, University of British Columbia (604) 822-2644 hilaryt@exchange.ubc.ca
BC Cancer Foundation
CONTACT: Nicole Adams, BC Cancer Agency, (604) 877-6272,nadams@bccancer.bc.ca; Penny Noble, BC Cancer Foundation, (604) 707-5902,pnoble@bccancer.bc.ca; Hilary Thomson, University of British Columbia,(604) 822-2644, hilaryt@exchange.ubc.ca