COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) announces the following awards, honors, grants and more that were recently given to the organization, teams or individuals: NCI grant-funded project will produce online tool for discerning cancer biomarkers A two-year, $390,290 grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) will help Ohio State researchers develop a freely accessible online tool that will enable scientists to better understand potential cancer biomarkers that can be targeted with novel therapies. Principal investigator for the grant is Giovanni Nigita, PhD, a research scientist in the Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics within Ohio State’s College of Medicine. Ohio State researchers gain NCI grant to study dietary influences on gut and tumor tissue microbiomes, and impact on survival outcomes among colorectal cancer patients Researchers at the OSUCCC – James have received a two-year, $405,316 grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to help determine whether a proinflammatory diet increases the risk of developing aggressive colorectal cancer (CRC) that leads to death. Principal investigator Fred Tabung, PhD, MSPH, assistant professor in the Division of Medical Oncology at Ohio State and a member of the Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program (MCC) at the OSUCCC – James, said results of this project will help researchers design larger studies of dietary strategies for mitigating molecular disruption in the gut and tumor tissue that is associated with proinflammatory dietary patterns and CRC progression.  Makary and team gain Distinguished Clinical Study Award; Makary also receives two ‘40 under 40’ awards The Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR) presented the 2023 Distinguished Clinical Study Award to Mina Makary, MD, associate professor in the Department of Radiology at Ohio State, and his interventional radiology team for their study titled “Public Awareness of Interventional Radiology: Population-Based Analysis of the Current State of and Pathways for Improvement.” Makary received the award, which recognizes the best research in interventional radiology, on behalf of the team at the Society of Interventional Radiology 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting held March 23-28 in Salt Lake City.  In addition, Makary was honored as part of the 2024 Class of Columbus Business First 40 Under 40, and as a recipient of the 40 Under 40 in Cancer Award. The former recognizes the region’s best and brightest upcoming leaders; Makary was cited for his contributions to the healthcare arena. The latter acknowledges contributions being made in oncology by rising stars and emerging leaders under age 40.  Makary will receive his 40 Under 40 in Cancer Award in Chicago in June. Lee receives prestigious Society of Urologic Oncology Medal  Cheryl Lee, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Urology at Ohio State and member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James, received the 2024 Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) Medal at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association held May 3-6 in San Antonio. The SUO Medal is presented to an individual for a specific achievement or significant contributions in the field of urologic oncology. Lee, who also holds the Dorothy M. Davis Endowed Chair in Cancer Research at Ohio State, specializes in studying and treating bladder cancer. Basu named associate editor of international science journal Sujit Basu, MD, PhD, professor in the Department of Pathology and the Division of Medical Oncology (Internal Medicine), was selected as an associate editor for npj Precision Oncology, an international, peer-reviewed journal that publishes scientific research in all aspects of precision oncology, from basic science to translational applications to clinical medicine. Basu is also in the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James, where he studies the role of endogenous factors regulating tumor microenvironment.   Media Contact: Mary Ellen Fiorino, Mary.Fiorino@osumc.edu *Release written by Bob Hecker, Robert.Hecker@osumc.edu