American Institute for Cancer Research
December 7, 2015
“The UNC Gillings School depends so much upon organizations and individuals who provide continuing support for the School’s mission,” says Crystal Hinson Miller, MA, CFRE, associate dean for advancement at the School. “Longstanding and broad-based support has made a huge difference in what we’re able to accomplish – helping us to engage in cutting- edge research, translate our academic research into solutions for local and global communities, and educate tomorrow’s public health leaders.”
Since 1997, the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and its executive vice president Kelly B. Browning, emeritus Public Health Foundation board member, have provided that type of invaluable support, primarily through the School’s Department of Nutrition. AICR has funded fellowships, professorships, research grants, and other building/ renovation and departmental support.
“The department is engaged in exciting, innovative research about cancer and nutrition,” says Elizabeth Mayer-Davis, PhD, professor and department chair. “We are deeply grateful for the AICR’s continuing and vital support of our faculty’s work.”
To date, AICR’s gifts and pledges for fellowship support alone have reached almost $1.8 million, largely through the Marilyn Gentry Fellowship in Nutrition and Cancer. The support has been expendable, i.e., the gifts are distributed in full to the recipients. This type of award allows the department to be more flexible and responsive in trying to recruit the most promising candidates.
Faculty support – $358,000 to date – has included the AICR/World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF) Distinguished Professorship in Cancer Prevention, as well as a one-time gift in support of the Carla Smith Chamblee Distinguished Professorship.
June Stevens, PhD, professor and former chair of nutrition, has held the AICR/WCRF professorship since 2006.
“The professorship has allowed me to pursue my passion and enhance the field of obesity and cancer research,” says Stevens. “Not only has it supported my research; it also allowed me to mentor new professionals who will continue to expand our knowledge at the intersection of nutrition and cancer. It’s a great honor to hold this professorship, and I really treasure my personal relationships with the dedicated team at AICR.”
– L. K.
AICR has touched every angle of our School’s mission – from funding for fellowships to supporting renowned faculty and ensuring that state-of-the art labs are available, spurring research efforts and flexibly funding our most pressing needs. We are grateful for AICR’s multi-faceted support.
– Dean Barbara K. Rimer
The leaders at AICR are so proud of our nearly-20-year partnerships with the Gillings School and its nutrition department. The nexus of cancer research and nutrition has been and continues to be a crucial area of inquiry, and faculty and student research at the School continues to be first-rate, providing innovative solutions for the world’s most pressing problems related to nutrition and health. Together, I believe AICR and the Gillings School have made a difference.
– Kelly B. Browning
Executive Vice President, AICR
Carolina Public Health is a publication of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health. To view previous issues, please visit sph.unc.edu/cph.
