Partnership allows scientists to engage in discussion, develop connections more easily

New York, NY (February 19, 2010) — To develop more collaboration among cancer researchers and translational scientists, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has partnered with the clinical and translational online community CTSciNet.  This new partnership complements Damon Runyon’s goal of accelerating the translation of discoveries into new tools in the fight to end cancer.  Translating laboratory research into clinical medicine is also the goal of the social-networking site CTSciNet, the Clinical and Translational Science Network.

Launched on October 20th by Science Careers, AAAS’s career development portal, CTSciNet is an online community for people pursuing careers in clinical and translational research. CTSciNet aims to encourage and support scientists and trainees who wish to become a part of the clinical and translational research community. AAAS developed the site in partnership with several other scientific societies, now including Damon Runyon. CTSciNet is funded by a generous grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, a long-time supporter of Science Careers.

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation’s mission is to identify exceptional early career scientists and provide them with funding to pursue innovative cancer research.  The Foundation supports the rising stars of science, emerging leaders who have great potential to achieve breakthroughs in how we diagnose, treat and prevent cancer.

The Foundation offers three prestigious awards:
•    The Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award supports physician-scientists dedicated to translating cancer research into new tools and treatment for cancer patients.  
•    The Damon Runyon Fellowship Award gives young scientists funding to enhance their cancer research skills, develop independence and explore novel ideas.
•    The Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award funds “high-risk, high-reward” cancer research that has great potential but lacks the preliminary data needed to obtain traditional funding.

CTSciNet wants to show early career scientists how they can contribute to the solution of one of the most important scientific challenges of our lifetimes: how to efficiently translate scientific breakthroughs into practical therapies for human disease. CTSciNet’s collaborative tools will enable Damon Runyon’s researchers to seek collaborators for their important research. CTSciNet’s current groups range from breast cancer research to clinical trials. Researchers can engage in meaningful discussion and form connections with other researchers while they explore CTSciNet’s extensive and growing library of career advice.

Other CTSciNet partners include the Association of American Medical Colleges, the American Federation for Medical Research, the American Physician Scientist Association, the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the Association for Clinical Research Training, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, the Clinical Research Forum, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Health Research Alliance, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Science Translational Medicine, and the Society for Clinical and Translational Science.

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DAMON RUNYON CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION

The mission of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation is to identify the most brilliant and promising early career scientists and provide them with funding to pursue innovative research that will eliminate cancer as a deadly disease.  The Foundation has gained worldwide prominence in cancer research by identifying outstanding researchers and physician-scientists.  Eleven scientists supported by the Foundation have received the Nobel Prize, and others are heads of cancer centers and leaders of renowned research programs.  Since its founding in 1946, the Foundation has invested over $220 million and funded more than 3,200 scientists.  This year, it will invest approximately $9 million in the most outstanding young investigators in the nation.

100% of all donations to the Foundation are used to support scientific research.  Its administrative and fundraising costs are paid from its Damon Runyon Broadway Tickets Service and endowment.

For more information visit www.damonrunyon.org

CONTACT
Catherine Bright
Communications Director
Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation
catherine.bright@damonrunyon.org
212.455.0506