AUSTIN — The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) today awarded 10 new academic research grants totaling over $31 million to recruit eminent cancer researchers to Texas.

“Coming from geographically diverse parts of the country, these recruits reinforce the nationwide perception that Texas is a world-class center for cancer research,” said Wayne Roberts, CPRIT Chief Executive Officer. “Texas is the place for researchers with far-reaching potential to impact cancer.”

Texas Capital

CPRIT’s recruitment awards bring top talent in cancer research to Texas, resulting in the finest cluster of cancer researchers in the world. Recruits accepting the awards are given the prestigious “CPRIT Scholar” designation. There are three types of CPRIT recruitment grants: Established Investigators for senior research faculty with distinguished professional careers and established cancer research programs; Rising Stars for early-stage investigators who have demonstrated promising continued and enhanced contributions to the field; and First Time, Tenure Track Faculty for emerging investigators pursuing their first faculty appointment who are expected to make outstanding contributions in cancer research. To date, there are 175 CPRIT Scholars.

To learn more about CPRIT Scholars at Texas institutions and the vital contribution they make to cancer research, please visit http://scholars.cprit.texas.gov.

See the attached list for all academic research recruitment grants awarded.

About the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas

To date, CPRIT has awarded $2.3 billion in grants to Texas research institutions and organizations through its academic research, prevention, and product development research programs. CPRIT has recruited 175 distinguished researchers, supported the establishment, expansion or relocation of 34 companies to Texas, and generated $2.8 billion in additional public and private investment. CPRIT funding has advanced scientific and clinical knowledge and provided 5.5 million life-saving cancer prevention and early detection services reaching Texans from all 254 counties. In May 2019, the Texas Legislature approved a constitutional amendment for the November 5, 2019 general election ballot to authorize an additional $3 billion in bonds for cancer research and prevention.

Learn more at cprit.texas.gov. Follow CPRIT at twitter.com/CPRITTexas and facebook.com/CPRITTexas.

ACADEMIC RESEARCH AWARDS

Recruitment of Established Investigator Awards* — Two grants totaling $12,000,000

  • Suzanne Conzen, MD, Recruitment to The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center from the University of Chicago — $6,000,000
  • Yong Li, PhD, Recruitment to Baylor College of Medicine from Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine — $6,000,000

Recruitment of Rising Star Awards* — Two grants totaling $7,562,426

  • Qing Zhang, PhD, Recruitment to The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center from the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center — $4,000,000
  • Christina Dieli-Conwright, MPH,PhD, Recruitment to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from the University of Southern California — $3,562,426

Recruitment of First-Time, Tenure-Track Faculty Members Awards* — Six grants totaling $12,000,000

  • Yang Gao, PhD, Recruitment to Rice University from the National Institutes of Health — $2,000,000
  • Samuel McBrayer, PhD, Recruitment to The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & Harvard Medical School — $2,000,000
  • Chengcheng Jin, PhD, Recruitment to The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center from the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research — $2,000,000
  • Xiaojing Gao, PhD, Recruitment to Rice University from the California Institute of Technology — $2,000,000
  • Anthony Mustoe, PhD, Recruitment to Baylor College of Medicine from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill — $2,000,000
  • Kevin McHugh, PhD, Recruitment to Rice University from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology — $2,000,000

*Recruitment grants awarded indicate only approval to negotiate offers; at the time of release candidates have not accepted offers.