U A B C O M P R E H E N S I V E C A N C E R C E N T E R 3

The Next Generation of Cancer Research

Toxicology. Dr. Aller was selected to receive one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Director’s New Innovator Awards in 2011. The goal of the highly prestigious award is to

stimulate innovative research and support promising new investigators.

“On a national level, the NIH wants more institutions to do this type of work, and we have a

leg up on them because of our relationship with SRI,” Dr. Whitley says. “And it’s a relation-

ship that will only grow and mature as we go forward.”

Dr. Whitley says that several promising projects are in the early stages of testing and devel-

opment. It’s a slow process, but one that can pay significant dividends.

“With our studies, we’ve defined the standard of care for probably half a dozen disease

entities,” he says. “As we go down this route with the alliance, we’re going to see drugs

that address an unmet medical need and will benefit more individuals than we previously

thought possible.”

cancer research

Cancer Center senior scientist

Richard Whitley, M.D.

“THE HOPE IS FOR ALABAMA TO BUILD A MACHINE TO ALLOW FOR DRUG

DISCOVERY AND ULTIMATELY HIRE NOT JUST TECHNICAL PEOPLE, BUT ALSO

SOPHISTICATED SCIENTISTS TO WORK ON THESE PROJECTS.” –Richard Whitley

http://the next generation of cancer research/whitley_aller_projects

The Importance of Funding Research

THE IMPORTANCE OF FUNDING RESEARCH

Without the necessary funding, promising ideas are just that: ideas.

In today’s economic climate, federal funding for scientific research is more limited than ever—and the competition for what is available is extremely fierce. That’s why institutions such as UAB must rely so heavily on the support of philanthropic donations from individuals and organizations throughout the community.

Every dollar given to the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center can be leveraged for up to $16 from federal or other external funding sources. One hundred percent of donations stay at UAB and are directly applied toward research or wherever specifically requested. Each gift truly is an investment in the future.

For more informa ion on making a gift, or to make a donation, visit uab.edu/cancer.