The Associate Director for Translational Research is appointed by and reports to the Director of the Lurie Cancer Center. The primary responsibility of this position is to build intersections with laboratory and clinical research programs to facilitate the translation of basic research discoveries with the intent of advancing therapies to the clinic. To that end, the Associate Director works closely with the entire Senior Leadership team and Program Leaders to promote new translational research funding initiatives, develop research working groups in targeted areas to promote new grant initiatives in translational research, organize an annual translational research retreat to stimulate new collaborations and interactions, organize two translational cancer research mini-symposia per year, and identify investigator needs for shared facility or other infrastructure needs to support translational research. The Associate Director also oversees the competitive award process for intramural funds to promote translational research. The Associate Director serves on the Executive Committee and Leadership Group, playing a critical role in establishing the strategic direction, policy and priorities of the Lurie Cancer Center.
Jill C. Pelling, PhD, is the Joseph C. Calandra Research Professor of Pathology and Toxicology, and is a translational cancer biologist working in the field of signal transduction and development of natural products for cancer chemoprevention. Her research interests include a plant flavonoid called Apigenin, which is present in leafy vegetables and fruits, and has been shown to inhibit UV- and chemically-induced mouse skin tumorigenesis. Studies in Dr. Pelling's laboratory have demonstrated that Apigenin has multiple modes of action in cells, including the ability to induce G1 and G2/M cell cycle arrest, to induce apoptosis, to inhibit various signaling pathways important in tumor growth including cyclooxygenase and Akt, and to inhibit the expression of hypoxia inducing factor (HIF1-alpha). These studies are relevant to several areas of biomedical research, including cancer biology, angiogenesis, cell signaling and development of novel chemopreventive agents against cancer.
Dr. Pelling serves on the editorial board of Molecular Carcinogenesis and Nutrition and Cancer, is a former regular member of the NIH Chemical Pathology Study Section and numerous other Special Emphasis Panel reviews. She has previously served a three year term on the Board of Scientific Counselors, National Institute of Environmental Health Safety, National Toxicology Program, and completed a four year term as a member of the Parent Committee A for the NCI Internal Review Group of NCI-designated Cancer Centers.
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