Biotech News - TGen Researcher Honored by Science Spectrum Magazine

TGen Researcher Honored by Science Spectrum Magazine

Dr. John Carpten named a top minority in science

10-03-2006

October 3, Phoenix, AZ--Dr. John Carpten, senior investigator and
director of the Integrated Cancer Genomics Division at the
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), has been named
a "Trailblazer" by Science Spectrum magazine. The Trailblazers are
outstanding Hispanic, Asian American, Native American, and Black
professionals in the science arena whose leadership and innovative
thinking on the job and in the community extend throughout and
beyond their industry.
Selected by the magazine's editors, the chosen winners have all made
a significant, quantifiable, personal impact on the industry and
their communities. Many maintain a powerful position of influence
regarding public policy for minorities in science.

Dr. John Carpten, senior investigator and director of TGen's
Integrated Cancer Genomics Division was recently named
a "Trailblazer" by Science Spectrum magazine. The trailblazer award
is presented to Black, Hispanic, Asian American, and Native American
professionals in the science arena whose leadership and innovative
thinking on the job and in the community extend throughout and
beyond their industry.

"There is an immediacy associated with helping patients with cancer
and it is this immediacy that drives my research forward," said Dr.
Carpten. "It is a such an honor to be recognized by Science Spectrum
magazine and I hope to set an example for other minorities in the
field of science."

Dr. Carpten's work at TGen is focused on searching for genetic
identifiers that will act as predictors for prostate cancer, a
disease whose incidence is three times more likely in African
American men and six times more likely to lead to death in that
population. He is currently leading the effort to conduct the most
in-depth study of its kind designed to scan the genomes of families
with prostate cancer to identify genetic risk factors for the
disease. Once these risk factors are identified, scientists can use
that information to develop diagnostic and prognostic tools to help
physicians treat their patients. His research in this area is
supported by the National Cancer Institute at the National
Institutes of Health.

In addition to prostate cancer, Dr. Carpten is also working on adult
hematological malignancies, particularly multiple myeloma, a disease
that again disproportionately affects African Americans. In
collaboration with Mayo Clinic Scottsdale and Agilent Technologies,
Dr. Carpten's studies are focused on identifying important
biomarkers associated with multiple myeloma development.

He is also the laboratory project leader for the Multiple Myeloma
Genomic Initiative, a multi-million dollar research program designed
to rapidly accelerate progress made against multiple myeloma by
significantly improving the understanding of the biology of the
disease. This initiative is the most comprehensive research
collaboration of its kind that focuses on cancer genomics. This work
is funded through the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium.

"Dr. Carpten is an exceptionally talented cancer investigator with
an unparalleled compassion for patients and dedication to finding
answers," said Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen's Scientific Director. "His
work stands at the forefront of bringing laboratory results into
clinical benefit."

# # #

About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a non-profit
501(c)(3) organization focused on developing earlier diagnostics and
smarter treatments. Translational genomics research is a relatively
new field employing innovative advances arising from the Human
Genome Project and applying them to the development of diagnostics,
prognostics and therapies for cancer, neurological disorders,
diabetes and other complex diseases. TGen's research is based on
personalized medicine. The institute plans to accomplish its goals
through robust and disease-focused research.

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