A Lasting Impact

A Word From Our Past Young Investigator Award Recipients

The inaugural Young Investigator Award (YIA), given by the Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO, and supported by Women Who Conquer Cancer, was awarded to Dr. Yanyan Lou in 2014. Dr. Lou is currently an oncologist, Associate Director of the Early Cancer Therapeutics Program, and Vice Chair of Research of the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Florida.

“My personal experience with my grandfather who died from lung cancer first stimulated my desire to pursue a career in cancer medicine.”

— Yanyan Lou, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic in Florida

2019’s WLO Women Who Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award recipient, Pippa Cosper, MD, PhD, University of Wisconsin, used her grant to continue her investigation into how errors in cell division affect radiation sensitivity in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers.

“This award has allowed me to determine new mechanisms that increase radiation sensitivity. I hope to one day translate this to the clinic to create more personalized radiation therapy treatments to improve patient outcomes.”

— Pippa Cosper, MD, PhD, University of Wisconsin