AUSTIN — Today, four new CPRIT Scholar grants totaling $16 million were awarded. The grants will support the recruitment of investigators researching cancers of the brain and digestive system as well as experts in the field of immunotherapy.

“CPRIT Scholars are key to the momentum Texas has achieved in building a cancer-fighting ecosystem,” said Wayne Roberts, CPRIT CEO. “Attracting top talent to our state ensures that Texas institutions are at the cutting-edge of cancer research.”

All four grants are from CPRIT’s Academic Research program and will be awarded to each of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers in Texas – Baylor College of Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Together, these four institutions anchor Texas’ world-class cancer research activities.

The Recruitment of Established Investigators mechanism aims to recruit world-class research scientists with distinguished professional careers to universities and cancer research institutes in Texas. The two $6 million awards will help these scientists establish research programs in colon, esophageal, glioblastoma, and hepatocellular cancer research.

The other two awards are $2 million each and are funded under the Recruitment of First-Time Tenure-Track Faculty Members mechanism. This mechanism facilitates recruitment of emerging investigators pursuing their first faculty appointment in Texas who have demonstrated academic excellence, innovation during predoctoral and/or postdoctoral research training, and exceptional potential for having an impact on cancer research. The investigators to be recruited under these two awards specialize in immunotherapy.

CPRIT has awarded 1,321 grants totaling more than $2.17 billion. During the 85th Texas Legislature, CPRIT’s Sunset Review date was extended by two years to 2023 to allow the agency to use fully all funds approved by Texas voters.

See the attached list for all four grants awarded.

About the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas

To date, CPRIT has awarded $2.17 billion in grants to Texas researchers, institutions, and organizations. CPRIT provides funding through its academic research, prevention, and product development research programs. Programs made possible with CPRIT funding have reached Texans from all 254 counties of the state, brought 166 distinguished researchers to Texas, advanced scientific and clinical knowledge, and provided more than 5 million life-saving education, training, prevention and early detection services to Texans. 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

  • Shideng Bao, PhD, Recruitment to The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio from Cleveland Clinic — $6,000,000
  • Thomas Wang, MD, PhD, Recruitment to The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center from University of Michigan — $6,000,000

Recruitment of First-Time, Tenure-Track Faculty Members Awards* — Two grants totaling $4,000,000

  • Matthew Gubin, PhD, Recruitment to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from Washington University — $2,000,000
  • Ansuman Satpathy, MD, PhD, Recruitment to Baylor College of Medicine from Stanford University — $2,000,000

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

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