Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Welcomes Four Visionary Leaders To Its Scientific And Medical Advisory Board

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Jul 12, 2016, 11:07 ET

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif., July 12, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network adds four esteemed leaders from across the country to its Scientific and Medical Advisory Board (SMAB).

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network shares resources and speak with more pancreatic cancer patients and caregivers than any other organization in the world. Patient Central is the first place to call after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer or at any point in your journey. A highly trained and compassionate Associate can help you access personalized services - free of charge.

"Members of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Scientific and Medical Advisory Board have committed their careers to change the course of a deadly and complex disease," said Steven Leach, MD, chair of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network SMAB and director of the David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. "I'm pleased to welcome these outstanding individuals to our community of trailblazers."

Distinguished members of the SMAB represent some of the most lauded medical and research institutions in the country. Members of the volunteer board provide guidance to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in prioritizing and implementing research initiatives. Additionally, members provide direction on vital patient service programs, including Know Your Tumor, Clinical Trial Finder and the Patient Registry.

"Making advances in a challenging disease like pancreatic cancer requires a team of experts who share information and innovative ideas," said Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. "We are thrilled to welcome new advisors to guide our cutting edge research and clinical endeavors."

The newly appointed members of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network SMAB are:

Eric Collisson, MD: Medical oncologist and associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology and Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Collisson's clinical research focuses on basic themes in biology and clinical behaviors of gastrointestinal malignancies. Collison received his medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Andrew M. Lowy, MD, FACS: Professor of surgery and the director of Surgical Oncology at the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego.

Lowy is recognized for his expertise in the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer, and he conducts clinical and basic research focused on pancreatic cancer as well. He serves as chair of the National Cancer Institute's Pancreatic Cancer Task Force, which is charged with setting the direction of clinical research in pancreatic cancer in the United States. Dr. Lowy currently serves as the surgical principal investigator in the largest pancreatic cancer clinical trial ever conducted in the United States.
Nicholas N. Nissen, MD: Director, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplant at Cedars-Sinai.

Nissen's clinical and research efforts focus on improving the safety and success of liver and pancreatic surgery, and in establishing patient-centered multidisciplinary treatment teams. He received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota, followed by Surgical Fellowships at the University of Pittsburgh and UCLA.
Rosalie C. Sears, PhD: Professor in the Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, co-director of the Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, and senior member, Knight Cancer Institute at the Oregon Health & Science University.

Sears studies cellular signaling pathways that control tumor cell behavior, which contributed to development of a drug that dramatically inhibits tumor growth and significantly extends survival in mouse pancreas cancer models. She received her PhD in cell biology from Vanderbilt University.

Collisson, Lowy, Nissen and Sears will serve three-year terms effective July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2019.

Learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network by visiting pancan.org.

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About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization is leading the way to increase survival for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative — The Vision of Progress: Double Pancreatic Cancer Survival by 2020. To continue to accelerate progress, a goal to raise $200 million by 2020 is also in place. Together, we can Wage Hope and rewrite the future of pancreatic cancer.

Contacts:
Cara Martinez
Senior Manager, Public Relations
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Direct: 310-706-3357
Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network