The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society honored five researchers with its prestigious Stohlman Scholar Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to the advancement of blood cancer research. The awards were announced today at the Society's Annual Leadership Conference, in Denver, CO.

The Stohlman Award is given to Society Scholars who are in the fifth year of their research scholarship. Society Scholars are highly qualified investigators who have demonstrated their ability to conduct original research bearing on leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. These Scholars hold faculty-level or equivalent positions at major research institutions nationwide. This year's Stohlman Scholars include the following individuals:

-- Stephen Buratowski, Ph.D., professor, Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Buratowski's research focuses on the basic mechanisms of gene expression, including how the beginning and end of genes are defined and recognized, how the gene expression machinery makes and modifies RNA molecules and how the different steps of gene expression are coordinated. An understanding of basic gene expression mechanisms is essential for studying how gene regulation goes awry in human diseases such as leukemias and lymphomas.

-- Gay Crooks, M.D., member, Gene, Immunology and Stem Cell Therapy Research Program, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles; associate professor of pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
Dr. Crooks' research focuses on human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), lymphoid differentiation and gene therapy. Dr. Crooks is studying how to increase the production of Common Lymphoid Progenitors (CLPs), the earliest cells of lymphoid differentiation, outside the body and transplant them into patients to restore immune function after bone marrow transplantation and high dose chemotherapy.

-- George Daley, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of biological chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School; associate professor of pediatrics, Children's Hospital Boston
The focus of Dr. Daley's research is to translate insights in stem cell biology into cellular therapies for malignant and genetic diseases. Dr. Daley is investigating how to generate blood stem cells from embryonic stem cells and define optimal combination chemotherapy regimens and mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).

-- Laurence Eisenlohr, Ph.D., V.M.D., professor of microbiology and immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Kimmel Cancer Center
The focus of Dr. Eisenlohr's research is immunological memory and anti-cancer immunity. Dr. Eisenlohr is investigating the rules of engagement between microbes and the immune system, subsequently using them as a reference when targeting cancers.

-- Steven Gore, M.D., John Hopkins University, School of Medicine
Dr. Gore's research focuses on novel biologically-based strategies for improving the outcomes of adult patients with leukemia. Early in his career, Dr. Gore investigated use of cytokines to sensitize leukemia cells to the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. Dissatisfied with the toxicity and lack of effectiveness of chemotherapy for many myeloid malignancies, Dr. Gore is now developing drugs that change the biology of the leukemia cells.

"The Society is pleased to recognize the accomplishments of these outstanding scholars, whose leading-edge research brings us closer to finding new treatments and, eventually, cures for blood cancers," said Marshall Lichtman, M.D., the Society's executive vice president of Research & Medical Programs.

The Stohlman Scholar Award is given in memory of Frederick Stohlman Jr., M.D., a major figure in stem cell physiology research and widely regarded as a mentor to the many scientists who are in the forefront of blood cancer research and treatment today.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, headquartered in White Plains, NY, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $360 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made more than 812,000 contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals through services provided at its Home Office and by its 63 chapters nationwide.

For more information about blood cancer, visit http://www.LLS.org or call the Society's Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

Contact: Nancy Klein, (914) 821-8812
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org