ChBE News
For more information contact:
Don Fernandez, Communications & Marketing
Contact Don Fernandez Don.fernandez@comm.gatech.edu
Georgia Cancer Coalition Selects Georgia Tech Scientist
Georgians fund awards through State Income Tax Check-Off Program
Atlanta (January 30, 2009) — The Georgia Cancer Coalition has announced the recipients of the 2009 Cancer Research Awards, made possible by Georgians who contribute to the Georgia Cancer Research Fund on their state income tax returns. Michelle Dawson, Ph.D., assistant professor at the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, is one of the eight recipients. She will receive $50,000 for her research into the development of specialized cells designed as gene delivery vehicles to target and treat breast cancer.
Fifty-one researchers submitted proposals for the 2009 awards. Those reviewing the proposals included nationally recognized scientists and clinicians from across the country.
Dawson completed a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in 2008. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from The Johns Hopkins University in 2005, where she was awarded a Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation.
"Dr. Dawson is an outstanding and highly motivated researcher,” said Ronald W. Rousseau, chair of the School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at Georgia Tech. “The intensity with which she attacks research problems is invigorating. We are fortunate to have her as a colleague and believe her work will contribute significantly to addressing issues in cancer.”
The State Income Tax Check-Off Program was initiated by the Georgia State Legislature in 2000, specifically to support scientists in Georgia performing research into the causes, treatments and cures for breast, prostate and ovarian cancer. Since that time, more than $2 million dollars has been awarded to 53 cancer researchers through this competitive, peer-reviewed grant process. Each dollar awarded is matched by the scientist’s university, resulting in a $4 million impact on cancer research in the state. Cancer Research Awards provide seed money for pilot studies which have the potential of attracting larger, more prestigious national grant awards.
Georgians can make a contribution of $1 or more on their state income tax form to the Georgia Cancer Research Fund, by checking box #28 on Form 500 or box # 12 on form 500 EZ.
“We are indebted to those citizens who choose to contribute to this valuable effort. The increasing number of researchers who apply for grants indicates that we are making great progress in developing interest in cancer research among the state’s scientific community,” says Bill Todd, president and chief executive officer of the Georgia Cancer Coalition. “Research is essential in the war on cancer.”
For more information on the Georgia Income Tax Check Off program and a form to instruct your tax preparer to make a donation, go to the Georgia Cancer Coalition website at www.georgiacancer.org or call 404-584-7720.
The Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the nation's premiere research universities. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report's top 10 public universities, Georgia Tech educates more than 16,000 students every year through its Colleges of Architecture, Computing, Engineering, Liberal Arts, Management and Sciences. Tech maintains a diverse campus and is among the nation's top producers of women and African-American engineers. The Institute offers research opportunities to both undergraduate and graduate students and is home to more than 100 interdisciplinary units plus the Georgia Tech Research Institute. During the 2003-2004 academic year, Georgia Tech reached $341.9 million in new research award funding.