July 22, 2021
Prostate cancer researcher wins two high-profile awards advancing diversity in science
(SACRAMENTO)
Prostate cancer researcher Alan Lombard, with the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Urologic Surgery, has been chosen as a recipient of the 2021 Dr. Eddie Mendez Scholar Award from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The award recognizes a group of outstanding young scientists who have demonstrated expertise in cancer research and a drive to promote diversity and excellence in science.
Lombard also recently secured a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Mentored Research Scientist Development Award to Promote Diversity. The K01 grant provides five years of protected time to fund Lombard’s research and development toward becoming an independent investigator.
"It is an honor to be a recipient of both the NCI grant as well as the 2021 Fred Hutch Dr. Eddie Mendez Award,” said Lombard. “I plan to use these awards to help develop my own prostate cancer research laboratory and, as an independent investigator, to continue doing cutting edge science that improves treatment outcomes while providing mentorship opportunities for the next generation of diverse scientists.”
Lombard’s work focuses on a targeted therapy called PARP inhibitors, which are drugs that exploit faulty DNA repair, ultimately leading to cellular stress and death of tumor cells. His research is aimed at finding ways to enhance this treatment strategy and the effectiveness of PARP inhibitors—and, ultimately, prolonging the survival of critically ill prostate cancer patients.
UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated center serving the Central Valley and inland Northern California, a region of more than 6 million people. Its specialists provide compassionate, comprehensive care for more than 15,000 adults and children every year and access to more than 150 active clinical trials at any given time. Its innovative research program engages more than 225 scientists at UC Davis who work collaboratively to advance discovery of new tools to diagnose and treat cancer. Patients have access to leading-edge care, including immunotherapy and other targeted treatments. Its Office of Community Outreach and Engagement addresses disparities in cancer outcomes across diverse populations, and the cancer center provides comprehensive education and workforce development programs for the next generation of clinicians and scientists. For more information, visit cancer.ucdavis.edu.
