Robert Cormier, Ph.D. Named SMDC Chair in Cancer Biology

SMDC Commits to Medical School Research

June 8, 2009 – Robert Cormier, Ph.D., assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School—Duluth in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology, today was named SMDC Chair in Cancer Biology.  The honor extends the SMDC support of research at the medical school when it established a Chair in 2002 and committed $1.2 million over ten years.

Cormier, a nationally-known cancer researcher, studies the genetics of colorectal cancer which is responsible for 11 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States.  His research aims to identify genes that alter intestinal cancer development, with hope that the discoveries will lead to new ways to prevent and treat human colorectal cancer.  He will use the support from SMDC to investigate the genetic pathways and networks that are involved in colorectal cancer development.  

Pictured right: Lecture included background on the incidences of colorectal cancer.

Host of the event, Gary Davis, Ph.D., senior associate dean at the Duluth medical school, commented, “This Chair with its accompanying financial investment in research, is key in recruiting and/or retaining a faculty member who is nationally renowned in cancer biology, and it strengthens the educational and biomedical research bond between SMDC and our school.  We are very pleased with SMDC’s continuing commitment.”

At the event, Peter Person, M.D., chief executive officer of Essentia Health, SMDC’s affiliate organization, joined Richard Ziegler, Ph.D. immediate past dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School—Duluth, to describe the planning that went into the SMDC decision in 2002.  “As a result of those discussions, SMDC saw a great opportunity for recruitment and collaboration that would make a real difference in advancing research in this community, and we are very happy to watch this commitment continue to grow today.” 

Pictured left: Peter Person and Rick Ziegler

Also appearing at the event, medical oncologist and hematologist, Daniel Nikcevich, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director of the Duluth Clinic Cancer Center, stressed how basic science cancer gene discoveries, such as those from Dr. Cormier's laboratory, can lead to new clinical therapies for diseases such as colorectal cancer. Thomas Patnoe, M.D., president and chief medical officer of SMDC, presented the award plaque to Cormier. 

Pictured right: SMDC President Thomas Patnoe presents the Chair plaque to Cormier