COLUMBUS, Ohio – Dr. John Byrd, a nationally renowned leukemia specialist and researcher at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC–James), received the inaugural Richard L. Schilsky Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) Achievement Award. The award acknowledges exceptional individuals who make it possible for the CALGB to succeed in research that transforms care for cancer patients. The CALGB is a nationwide clinical research community sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Byrd’s work in CALGB has included leading multiple multi-center clinical trials, correlative science efforts, mentorship of junior CALGB members, and administrative service to CALGB over the past decade. The award recognized Byrd, who is the associate director of clinical translational research at OSUCCC–James, for his research accomplishments with several therapeutic agents active in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and related leukemia and lymphoma. This includes being a leader in laboratory and clinical investigation of immune-based therapies for the treatment of CLL and lymphoma. “Dr. Byrd’s commitment to scientific research aligns perfectly with the intent and spirit of this award. His efforts truly make it possible for CALGB to succeed in research that transforms care for cancer patients,” said Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli, CALGB group chair and chief of the division of surgical oncology at Brigham and Women's Hospital. As a member of the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center’ Innate Immunity and Experimental Therapeutics programs, Byrd is an international leader in the research and development of therapeutic antibodies and other targeted agents for use in non-toxic therapies for the treatment of leukemia. In 2001, Byrd was recruited to Ohio State where he was appointed the director of hematologic malignancies. He also holds the D. Warren Brown chair in leukemia research and is a professor of medicine and medicinal chemistry. Byrd has published more than 200 peer reviewed papers and is an elected member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation, a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a previous University Distinguished Scholar at Ohio State. He is also active in the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and currently serves as the co-director of the ASH Clinical Research Training Institute. 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 JPEG of Dr. Byrd: Michael Hughes Medical Center Public Affairs and Media Relations 614-293-3737 Michael.Hughes@osumc.edu