Media Release | Oct. 19, 1999
UBC cancer researcher awarded first research chair in childhood
tumors
A University of British Columbia researcher who investigates the
genetic changes that cause childhood cancer has been awarded the
Asa and Kashmir Johal and Family Chair in Pediatric Oncology.
Poul Sorensen, an associate professor of Pathology and Laboratory
Medicine, and Pediatrics, is the first recipient of the chair, established
to support the study of tumors in children.
"Dr. Sorensen is internationally recognized for his contribution
to diagnostic screening for pediatric tumors," says Dr. John Cairns,
dean of UBC's Faculty of Medicine. "We are delighted to be able
to join in the advancement and strengthening of this groundbreaking
work."
Sorensen's research aims to identify and describe the flawed gene
or genes that cause childhood cancer -- particularly of bone and
soft tissues -- and to describe the exact nature and structure of
those flaws at a molecular level. Understanding how genes trigger
uncontrolled cell growth will help scientists to improve diagnosis
and treatment of childhood cancers.
The Medical Research Council of Canada, the National Cancer Institute
of Canada and the National Institutes of Health in the U.S have
supported Sorensen's research. He has been awarded the Young Investigator's
Award by the Pediatric Pathology Society and other prizes for excellence
in pediatric medical research.
Sorensen, a UBC graduate, joined the Faculty of Medicine in 1993
and currently works at the Children's & Women's Health Centre
of B.C. in conjunction with investigators from the BC Cancer Agency.
The Asa and Kashmir Johal and Family Chair at UBC was made possible
by a generous donation by the Johal family of Vancouver, complemented
by contributions from the Children's & Women's Health Centre
of B.C. and UBC.
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