COLUMBUS, Ohio – Dr. Michael Caligiuri (43221), director of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and CEO of the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC-James), is one of four scientists nationwide this year – to receive a prestigious MERIT Award from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for his extensive research focusing on manipulating the immune system to prevent and treat cancer. MERIT (Method to Extend Research in Time) Awards recognize researchers who have demonstrated superior competence and outstanding productivity. The award provides up to 10 years of support to investigators with impressive records of scientific achievement in research areas of special importance or promise. Less than 5 percent of NIH-funded investigators receive them. The Caligiuri laboratory focuses on three research areas: the biology of human natural killer cells, a component of the immune system that attacks cancer cells; development of a vaccine to protect against lymphoma; and the molecular biology of acute myeloid leukemia and the development of new therapies to treat this malignancy. The MERIT Award recognizes Caligiuri’s work on natural killer cells and a molecule known as interleukin-15. “I am honored to receive this award, which will allow my team of investigators to further unravel the mysteries of the human immune system in order to prevent and treat cancer,” says Caligiuri, who also is president of the Association of American Cancer Institutes and internationally known for his cancer research. Caligiuri received both graduate and medical degrees at Stanford University School of Medicine. He trained in internal medicine, oncology, bone marrow transplantation and immunology at Harvard before joining the Harvard Medical School faculty. In 1997, Caligiuri left his position as a tenured professor at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., to join Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center as associate director for clinical research. He subsequently became director of Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center and CEO of The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. He holds the John L. Marakas Nationwide Insurance Enterprise Foundation Chair in Cancer Research. Caligiuri is a professor in the department of internal medicine and the department of molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics. Caligiuri, who has more than 25 members in his laboratory, has authored more than 225 original scientific publications and is on numerous national committees, including the NCI Board of Scientific Advisors. He is chair of the American Association for Cancer Research publications committee, an associate editor of the journal Blood and sits on the advisory boards of 10 of the NCI’s cancer centers. Initiated in 1987, NCI’s MERIT Award program provides long-term funding to experienced researchers who have superior grants and who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to and success in research. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (cancer.osu.edu) is one of only 40 Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States designated by the National Cancer Institute. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top cancer hospitals in the nation, The James is the 180-bed adult patient-care component of the cancer program at The Ohio State University. The OSUCCC-James is one of only seven funded programs in the country approved by the NCI to conduct both Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. # # # Related Links: Click here for a high-quality photograph of Dr. Michael Caligiuri: Eileen Scahill Medical Center Public Affairs and Media Relations 614-293-3737 Eileen.Scahill@osumc.edu