NIH adds five Lasker Clinical Research Scholars

Exceptional early stage scientists mark NIH’s commitment to build the next generation of biomedical researchers.

The Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center (Building 10) North entrance, Bethesda, MDNIH

The National Institutes of Health has selected five scientists as Lasker Clinical Research Scholars, part of a joint initiative with the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation, to continue building a pipeline of exemplary clinical scientists. This highly competitive program provides talented, early stage researchers the opportunity to carry out independent clinical and translational research for five to seven years at NIH. The researchers also have the possibility of additional years of financial support, at NIH or an NIH-funded research institution, upon project review. The new researchers join 23 Lasker Scholars hired since 2012.

“The addition of these five creative minds to the Lasker Clinical Research Scholars program builds upon a remarkable foundation of clinician-scientists who will lead the NIH in producing innovative biomedical discoveries,” said NIH Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D."

Lasker Scholars have access to the NIH Clinical Center, the largest hospital in the world devoted to clinical research. The Lasker Foundation will provide additional developmental support to the scholars while they are working at NIH by funding travel to scientific meetings and providing the opportunity to participate in selected foundation activities, including the Lasker Award ceremonies.

Sean Agbor-Enoh, M.D., Ph.D., National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: Dr. Agbor-Enoh works to improve the survival of lung transplant patients. He is developing methods for the improved detection and treatment of antibody-mediated rejection, a major cause of early death following transplantation.

Joanna Klubo-Gwiezdzinska, M.D., Ph.D., National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Dr. Klubo-Gwiezdzinska focuses on clinical and translational studies finding optimal options for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. Her work includes identification of genetic background of thyroid tumors, novel molecular targets for therapy of thyroid cancer and a comprehensive analysis of a cross-talk between cancer signaling pathways and metabolism.

Paule Joseph, Ph.D., R.N., FNP-BC., National Institute of Nursing Research and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Dr. Joseph conducts studies to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and management of chemosensory disorders and symptoms. She focuses on understanding the role of sensory science in metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes, as well as their interplay with alcohol and substance use disorders.

Nirali Shah, M.D., National Cancer Institute: Dr. Shah is developing therapies to treat high-risk hematologic malignancies in children, adolescents, and young adults. Her research focuses on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell based strategies and other antibody-based therapies.

David Takeda, M.D., Ph.D., National Cancer Institute: Dr. Takeda uses functional genomic approaches to advance our understanding of prostate cancer, in order to provide new insights into potential therapies.

“We welcome this year’s cohort of accomplished and diverse scientists to the Lasker Clinical Scholars program,” said Lasker President Claire Pomeroy. “They join an impressive group of young clinician-scientists whose cutting-edge research holds great potential for benefiting patients. We are pleased to partner with the NIH to provide career paths for the next generation of talented medical researchers to advance scientific discovery and improve health.”

The Lasker Clinical Research Scholar Program honors the contributions of Mary and Albert Lasker to NIH and to the overall biomedical community. Learn more about the program at https://www.nih.gov/research-training/lasker-clinical-research-scholars.

About the Lasker Foundation: The Lasker Foundation seeks to increase support for biomedical research by celebrating the power of biomedical science to save and improve human lives. Through its internationally renowned Lasker Awards, educational initiatives, and public advocacy, the Foundation recognizes the most important achievements in science and public service, supports and encourages the scientific leaders of tomorrow, and raises awareness of the ever-present need for research funding. Established in 1942 by Albert and Mary Lasker, the Foundation is committed to inspiring robust and sustained support for biomedical research, fueled by Mary Lasker’s call to action: “If you think research is expensive, try disease!”

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®