(AUSTIN) Today, during the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) quarterly meeting, Wayne Roberts, Chief Executive Officer made the following statement:
“When I was recruited to CPRIT in late 2012 as interim director, it was made clear that I was temporary, here for the 83rd Legislature and gone.
That interim has lasted longer than expected. Now, after over eleven years at CPRIT’s helm, I will step aside at the end of June.
I want to thank the CPRIT Oversight Committee for taking a chance on me then and letting me participate for so long in this historic state initiative.
In one capacity or another with six different state offices, I’ve enjoyed 23 Regular and 42 Special Legislative Sessions.
I’ve been inspired and challenged by countless committed public servants and policy advocates. For five decades it has been my privilege to work alongside them to try to benefit the lives of all Texans.”
Under Roberts’ leadership, CPRIT has become the second largest public funder of cancer research in the nation, following only the National Cancer Institute. The agency is now a $6 billion, 20-year initiative to fight cancer and has awarded over $3.4 billion for research, prevention, and product development.
"For over a decade, CPRIT has been blessed with the hard work and dedication of Wayne Roberts,” said David Cummings, M.D., Oversight Committee Presiding Officer. “His longstanding commitment to the cause of cancer will be felt for generations. During his tenure, CPRIT has become the second largest cancer research funding entity in the United States. Simply put, CPRIT would not be what it is today without the leadership of Wayne Roberts."
The CPRIT Oversight Committee will announce plans for Roberts’ successor when available.
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