Andrew Goldstein, PhD
Assistant Professor in the Departments of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology and Urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
GIANTS OF SCIENCE HOPE AWARD
(presented to an ACS funded scientist/researcher that is in their first two years of funded work)
Dr. Andrew Goldstein is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology and Urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA where his laboratory studies the cellular and molecular basis of prostate cancer. Dr. Goldstein studied Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and was a two-time NCAA Division 1 All-American lacrosse player at Dartmouth College. After working at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and a brief career playing for the Long Island Lizards of Major League Lacrosse, he moved to UCLA to pursue a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology. Working in the laboratory of Dr. Owen Witte, Dr. Goldstein identified the first cell of origin for human prostate cancer and published this work as a first author in Science magazine. He has described the identification of several progenitor cell-types from the mouse and human prostate and has used this approach to discover candidate therapeutic targets in prostate cancer including Trop2. Dr. Goldstein became the Inaugural Fellow of the Broad Stem Cell Research Center at UCLA, receiving both a Young Investigator Award from the Prostate Cancer Foundation and an Idea Development Award from the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program. Since joining the faculty, Dr. Goldstein has received funding from the American Cancer Society, Margaret E. Early Medical Research Trust, and STOP Cancer to pursue mechanisms of prostate cancer initiation and progression. His recent work has addressed the effects of inflammation on progenitor cells that can initiate cancer and the role of CD38 in prostate tumorigenesis.
Adam Leventhal, PhD
Clinical Psychologist, Associate Professor, and Director of the USC Health, Emotion, & Addiction Laboratory, Professor of Preventive Medicine and Psychology at the USC Keck School of Medicine and USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
GIANTS OF SCIENCE DETERMINATION AWARD
(presented to an ACS funded scientist/researcher that has had success in a critical area of continuing cancer research)
Adam Leventhal, Ph.D., Professor of Preventive Medicine and Psychology at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, is a clinical psychologist and public health scientist. He is the Founding Director of the USC Health, Emotion, & Addiction Laboratory, a research group awarded more than $13M in grants to study the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of tobacco use and other behavioral risk factors for cancer. He has authored more than 200 scientific publications on these topics. His seminal work on adolescent electronic cigarette use provided critical evidence to federal policy makers to enact regulations to protect youth from tobacco products. Dr. Leventhal is active in local and federal policy arenas, including serving on panels for the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and the Surgeon General’s Report Series on topics related to addiction. He is an elected fellow of the American Academy of Health Behavior and American Psychological Association.
Tony Hunter, PhD
American Cancer Society Professor, Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory Renato Dulbecco Chair, Salk Institute
GIANTS OF SCIENCE TRIUMPH AWARD
(this prestigious award will be presented to a scientist/researcher that has contributed to a significant breakthrough)
Tony Hunter made the seminal discovery, more than three decades ago, that the addition and subtraction of phosphate molecules to proteins on tyrosine, one of the 20 amino acids, allows cells to control when key proteins are on standby and when they are active. In cancers, he went on to show that growth was switched into an always-on mode by the malfunctions of these phosphates. Since then, his lab has led the field in understanding how chemical additions to proteins control the cell cycle and growth. Hunter uses cutting-edge molecular, genetic and cell biology techniques to probe how these programs interact with each other, what effect they have on cells and how cancers disrupt them to encourage uninhibited growth.
Already, cancer drugs—such as the leukemia therapy Gleevec—have been designed based on Hunter’s discoveries. Gleevec turns off an enzyme that normally adds phosphates to proteins, preventing cancers from growing. As Hunter continues to discover other ways in which cells use chemical additions to proteins to control their growth, he aims to find potential therapeutic targets for cancers.
He was awarded the Wolf Prize in Medicine in 2005. In 2017, he was awarded $500,000 as part of the $1 million Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences' inaugural Sjöberg Prize for Cancer Research for "groundbreaking studies of cellular processes that have led to the development of new and effective cancer drugs." He recently joined an elite group of scientists by being awarded the Pezcoller-AACR International Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Cancer Research in 2018.
M. FREDRIC
GIANTS OF SCIENCE CORPORATE CHAMPION AWARD
With the greatest of gratitude, The American Cancer Society is proud to honor Fred and Lisa Levine, Mardi Fox, Amy Feuerstein and our friends at M. Fredric with the “Corporate Champion” Award for 17 years and counting of generous support and being the most dedicated of corporate allies in the fight for a world without cancer. Their heartful patronage across corporate giving, community events such as Relay for Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and gala fundraisers such as this one cumulates to an astounding $578,000. Their contributions have funded research, saved countless lives and prevented cancer for so many.
Founded in 1979 and with over 35 years in business, M.Fredric continues to be at the forefront of the chic boutiques in Southern California. Since entering the retail apparel market in 1980, the company has evolved from carrying Moderate Junior apparel to Better Contemporary Apparel for the family thus giving customers a luxury department store feel in a boutique environment.
Frequented by celebrities, wardrobe stylists and sophisticated shoppers, M.Fredric is constantly evolving to offer staff an ever-changing dynamic environment and clients an exciting experience seven days a week. Top notch service, luxe lines and trendsetting approach to buying appeal to both city and suburban customers -- the trendy fashionista, edgy male and mom choosing to avoid the cookie cutter sameness of many children's apparel stores.
Unlike most apparel chains, M.Fredric is not solely directed at bottom line profitability. Giving back to the community is integrated in daily activities. In addition to the American Cancer Society, M.Fredric supports Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times and is proudly known as a "retailer with a heart."
Dr. Peter Landecker
GIANTS OF SCIENCE MISSION AWARD
Peter B. Landecker is a retired astrophysicist. He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science, earned his BA from Columbia University, and his Ph. D. in experimental physics from Cornell University. With a background in scientific research, he is especially attracted to the very effective process the ACS uses in choosing the most promising cancer research programs to support.
Peter enjoys playing his violin in a community orchestra, scuba diving, traveling, photography, astronomy and caring for his California Desert Tortoises.
Peter lost his grandmother and grandfather to lung cancer and his 35 year partner to leukemia so he is particularly keen on supporting an organization which promises to search for cures for a wide range of cancers.