Training & Capacity Building News

Funding Medical Discoveries

Funding Medical Discoveries
Zoom
Dr. Charles Sawyers, Goldhirsh Foundation Award Recipient
January 28, 2010
Imagine a time when all patients struck by leukemia recover fully. Charles Sawyers, M.D., at New York City's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, has worked to make this a reality by contributing to the discovery of a new type of medication that increases patient survival of chronic myeloid leukemia from only two years to a staggering five-year survival rate near 90%.

With support from the Goldhirsh Foundation Brain Tumor Research Awards Program, one of several biomedical research grants programs created and managed by HRiA's Medical Foundation division, Dr. Sawyers is extending this successful research approach to glioblastoma, the deadliest adult brain cancer. His team is developing several promising drug targets that may represent a long-term solution for glioblastoma. In 2009, Dr. Sawyers was recognized for his research accomplishments with the prestigious Lasker~DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award - an honor often referred to as the "U.S. Nobel."

Private foundations, individuals and bank trust departments turn to us to create and oversee biomedical research grant programs. Last year alone, our clients' programs awarded more than $20 million. By forming a distinguished Scientific Review Committee for each program, we ensure careful evaluation of all applications so that only the most exceptional research projects receive funding. Award Recipients' research is as diverse as the world we live in and we are humbled to play a role in supporting their contributions to science and our shared society.

Learn more about our grantmaking and life sciences consulting services.
Laurie Jo Wallace Laurie Jo Wallace, MA
Director
617.279.2240 ext. 223

Bio
Laurie Jo Wallace For over 20 years, Laurie Jo Wallace has been a major force at HRiA in promoting healthy communities and healthy youth. With an advanced degree in Critical and Creative Thinking, Ms. Wallace brings special expertise and energy to HRiA’s youth development and training programs. Her work with communities, coalitions, and youth has served agencies in the Boston area, throughout New England, and nationally.

Her passion for youth development and public health promotion grew out of her 10-year career as a high school educator. She has subsequently contributed to and written youth development and peer leadership curricula and facilitated strategic planning and organizational development initiatives for a variety of youth and other community groups. She brings expertise in peer leadership program development, youth/adult collaboration, conflict resolution, and alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention.

Ms. Wallace serves on the board of directors of the National Association of Peer Professionals, and is a member of the board of Mission Safe, a youth agency. She has presented at many national conferences, including the American Public Health Association, the National Network for Youth, and the National Peer Helpers’ Association.

Related Sites

What's New at HRiA