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| Thomas Kensler
James Yager
Thomas Kensler, PhD, professor in the Environmental Health Sciences and a renowned cancer researcher at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, will receive the 16th annual American Association for Cancer Research-American Cancer Society Award for Research Excellence in Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention. Kensler is being recognized for his work developing and implementing practical and effective approaches for protection against environmentally-induced cancers throughout the world. The award will be presented April 14 during the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2007 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, Calif.  Kensler’s research focuses on the biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved in the causation of cancer by chemicals to serve as a basis for the prevention, interruption or reversal of these processes in man. A practical goal of his research has been to develop the tools to test the hypothesis that elevation of enzymes that detoxify carcinogens using drugs or foods is a useful strategy for chemoprevention in humans.
His recent research has highlighted the importance of the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway as a target for chemoprevention through the induction of carcinogen detoxication, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory genes that collectively protect the genome against electrophilic carcinogens and free radicals. These findings not only have importance in cancer research but have also been extended to the larger field of adaptive responses to many environmental stresses. In their citation, AACR leadership stated, “[Kensler] has provided outstanding leadership to bring together multidisciplinary teams of basic scientists, epidemiologists, biostatisticians and clinicians to the field of chemoprevention in a multicultural, international setting. His studies are landmarks in showing the translation of basic science for human benefit, particularly with their implications for prevention of disease.” Kensler, who is a member of the Division of Toxicology in the Bloomberg School’s Department of Environmental Health Sciences, will give a lecture entitled, “Translating Molecular Targets for Chemoprevention into Interventions for At-Risk Populations,” at the 2007 AACR Annual Meeting on April 17, 2007.
James Yager, PhD, senior associate dean for Academic Affairs at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, has been named the Edyth H. Schoenrich Professor in Preventive Medicine.
“It is especially fitting that Dr. Yager receive this honor because he typifies Dr. Schoenrich’s philosophy of building bridges to bring people and organizations together,” said Michael J. Klag, MD, MPH, dean of the Bloomberg School of Public Health. “In his role as senior associate dean, he works selflessly to improve every aspect of our School. He integrates our many activities—whether education, research or practice—into a more cohesive whole.”
In addition to his administrative contributions, Dr. Yager is an accomplished scientist. He is professor of toxicology in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences and holds a joint appointment in the Department of Oncology at the School of Medicine. An expert on the mechanisms of estrogen carcinogenesis, he focuses on understanding genetic and environmental susceptibility factors related to breast cancer. Dr. Yager is also a highly regarded mentor and teacher
Edyth H. Schoenrich, MD, MPH, a professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management, director of Part-time Professional Programs and associate chair of the MPH Program, joined the Hopkins faculty more than 50 years ago. During that time she developed an interest in preventive medicine. Through her vision and determination, the Bloomberg School of Public Health has developed one of the premier preventive medicine programs in the country. Robert Lawrence, MD, professor in Environmental Health Sciences and director of the Center for a Livable Future, served as the first faculty member named to the Edyth H. Schoenrich Professorship. |
