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Lucio Castilla, PhD, (third from left) accepts the Hyundai Hope on Wheels grant from Hyundai Motor America President Dave Zuchowski and Worcester region Hyundai dealers with UMMS Chair of Pediatrics Mary Lee, MD (far left), and UMass Medical School Cancer Center Director Michael Green, MD, PhD (far right). |
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Former leukemia patient Liam Fitzgerald adds his handprint to the childhood cancer survivors signature car at the Hyundai Hope on Wheels ceremony. |
UMass Medical School cancer biologist Lucio Castilla, PhD, accepted a $250,000 grant from the Hyundai Motor America Hope on Wheels campaign for his research into targeted therapies for pediatric blood cancers. The award was presented at a ceremony held at UMMS on Friday, Sept. 25.
“We very much appreciate this support, which will help us translate basic concepts to clinical concepts that can be applied to patients,” said Dr. Castilla, associate professor of molecular, cell & cancer biology. “We are focused on how to transfer drug molecules directly and specifically into cancer cells without affecting normal cells.”
The event also celebrated guest of honor Liam Fitzgerald, a 9-year-old leukemia survivor, who was treated at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Fitzgerald added his blue poster-paint handprint to the official Hyundai Hope On Wheels car parked outside of the Aaron Lazare Research Building.
The Castilla grant is part of $10.5 million that Hyundai Motor America is awarding to 45 pediatric cancer research projects throughout September in honor of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Previous UMMS recipients of Hyundai Hope on Wheels grants, which now total $850,000 since 2011, are Peter Newburger, MD,the Ali and John Pierce Chair in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and professor of pediatrics, molecular, cell & cancer biology and microbiology & physiological systems; Michelle Kelliher, PhD, professor of molecular, cell & cancer biology and microbiology & physiological systems ; and Jack Leonard, PhD, professor of microbiology & physiological systems and anesthesiology.
“We are proud to be supporting the greatest minds in cancer research,” said Hyundai Motor America President Dave Zuchowski.
Related links on UMassMedNow:
Hyundai Hope on Wheels grant to advance glioblastoma research at UMMS
UMMS scientists help develop a new molecule that may aid in leukemia survival
Newsmaker: UMMS scientists help develop a new molecule that may aid in leukemia survival
Newsmaker: On cancer's front line
Kelliher awarded Hyundai Hope on Wheels grant
