8A NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009
SCIENCE
Recognition would boost cancer center
Designation could help bring leading researchers to Kansas
BY LAUREN HENDRICK
lhendrick@kansan.com
If the University is recognized as a nationally designated cancer institute it will offer Kansas the opportunity to conduct world-class reasearch. But it will also offer Adam Duerfeidt the opportunity to honor his best friend, who died from pancreatic cancer at age 18.
Duerfeldt, Urbandale, Iowa, graduate student in medicinal chemistry, said losing his childhood baseball buddy solidified his desire to pursue cancer research.
"Tim might have lost his battle, but the qualities I've learned have given me the confidence and determination to help fight the war," Duerfeldt wrote in his personal statement when he applied to graduate school in 2006. The statement is posted on NCAA.org.
"I knew there were big plans in making KU a national powerhouse." Duerfeldt said.
Duerfeldt said he knew the University focused on cancer research, which led to his decision to apply for graduate school.
The KU Cancer Center is officially counting down the days until it can apply for National Cancer Institute designation. According to the countdown on the center's Web site, 893 days remain.
Currently, the University is on track to become the 64th NCI-designated center, just after Stanford and Baylor.
The NCI awards research grants to cancer centers to further their studies. In 2005, Chancellor Robert Hemenway said cancer research would become the University's top priority.
Roy Jensen, director of the University's cancer center, said the University would need the 893 days to prepare for the extensive
application process. The NCI designation is considered the highest recognition for an academic cancer center.
"We have such an incredibly strong school of pharmacy and an incredibly rich history of drug discovery and development," Jensen said.
On Monday, Jensen told U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahwt (R.Kan.) that the University had the expertise to fuel strong relationships between researchers and drug developers, which would make the KU Cancer Center an ideal candidate for NCI designation.
Jensen said he thought bringing NCI designation to Kansas would elevate the overall level of patient care by providing local facilities for treatment. He said the designation would also help create thousands of jobs in the state.
A study published in 2005 by the Perryman Group, a corporate financial analysis firm, predicted that the KU Cancer Center would generate 9,400 jobs in 10 years.
Erica Brown, communications director for the Cancer Center, said the center's first objective was to recruit world-class cancer researchers.
"Bricks, mortar and equipment are important, but the only reason they're important is the people who use them." Provost Richard Lariviere said. Lariviere said it was important to provide researchers with the necessary tools and accommodations in order to obtain NCI designation.
"In order to attract them you have to be able to house their research," Brown said. She said the University currently had limited space to accommodate the research.
The center currently has ties with hospitals around the state, a relationship called the Midwest
Cancer Alliance, to address the 12,500 cases of cancer diagnosed in Kansas each year. Jensen said 5,300 Kansans died each year from cancer.
"Right now we're in the middle of a hole where a huge part of our region is under served," Brown said. She said the cancer center was trying to close the hole.
Duerfeldt said he would continue on his path to find cures for cancer and said losing both his best friend and his grandmother to cancer had made him eternally dedicated to drug research and development.
"It seems like no matter how old you get you know someone with the disease," he said. "It constantly gives you motivation."
— Edited by Grant Treaster
Photos by Ryan McGeeney
Above: The KU Cancer Center is planning to apply for a National Cancer Institute Designation in 2011. If accepted, the center would become the 64th NCI-designated facility, joining the ranks of cancer research institutions such as Stanford and Baylor, the two most recent designates.
Upper left: Adam Duerfeldt,
Urbandale, Iowa, graduate student in
medicinal chemistry, is one of a number
of students trying to develop medicinal
compounds for cancer research. Duerfeldt
chose to focus on cancer research after his
childhood best friend died from pancreatic
cancer at age 18.
Lower left: Duerfeldt runs a compound solution through a purification process in a laboratory in Mallott Hall on Tuesday afternoon. Duerfeld said he chose to attend the University because of its growing focus on cancer research.
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS funded by: Student Senate April 15, 2009
PAID FOR BY KU
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Don't miss this leadership opportunity and the chance to make a difference at KU!
Students, are you interested in leading your class next year?
If interested, please E-mail boco@ku.edu or grab an application at the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, Room 400 of the Kansas Union. Applications will be due back to boco@ku.edu or to SILC by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 17. Results will be announced by Friday, April 24.
Applications are now available for the following leadership positions for the 2009-2010 Board of Class Officers.
Senior Class President * Senior Class Vice President * Senior Class Secretary * Senior Class Treasurer * Junior Class President * Junior Class Vice President * Sophomore Class President * Sophomore Class Vice President
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