2016 FCBTR/ABC2 winners

pr-web-iconThe FCBTR/ABC2 Brain Tumor Grants Program Awards $350,000 to Florida-Based Researchers

Researchers from University of Florida, Florida State University and The Scripps Research Institute Receive Grants

The Florida Center for Brain Tumor Research (FCBTR), in partnership with ABC² (Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure), awarded $350,000 to support brain cancer research at three leading Florida institutions: University of Florida, The Scripps Research Institute and Florida State University College of Medicine.

The 2016 awards fund research in areas on the cutting edge of scientific inquiry. The 4 award recipients, in alphabetical order, are:

– Akash Gunjan, Ph.D., Florida State University College of Medicine
– Jeffrey Harrison, Ph.D., University of Florida College of Medicine
– Victor Quereda, Ph.D., The Scripps Research Institute
– Brent Reynolds, Ph.D., University of Florida

“The Florida legislature is to be congratulated, again, on establishing a program, the Florida Center for Brain Tumor Research, which continues to bring the world’s best brain tumor scientists to our state,” said Dr. William Friedman, Chairman of Neurosurgery at the University of Florida. “It has been an honor to collaborate with ABC² on this important scientific endeavor for Florida.”

“Working together, ABC² and FCBTR are building a world-class brain cancer research network in Florida,” said Max Wallace, CEO of ABC². “Thanks to the fundraising support from patients, families and loved ones participating in ABC² Florida Brain Cancer 5k, we’re able to commit significant funding directly into research that holds the potential to speed the discovery of a cure.”

Together, since 2010, FCBTR and ABC² have funded more than $1 million in Florida-based brain tumor research. The FCBTR/ABC² Grants Program supports studies with a clear development path and potential to provide meaningful improvements in treatment outcomes for patients in the near future. This year, the FCBTR/ABC² Grants Program received 14 applications from researchers at 6 centers, including Scripps, University of Florida, University of South Florida, University of West Florida, University of Miami, and Florida State University.

About The Florida Center for Brain Tumor Research (FCBTR)

Since 2006, the FCBTR at the Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute of the University of Florida has worked with hospitals statewide to collect tissue and disseminate data on brain tumors, creating a powerful tool to facilitate clinical trials, funding opportunities and research collaborations. FCBTR’s Scientific Advisory Council includes top researchers from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Mayo Clinic, University of Florida, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Scripps Research Institute, UFHealth Cancer Center – Orlando Health, University of Miami and a representative of neurosurgeons in private practice.
To learn more, please visit http://fcbtr.ufl.edu/

About ABC² (Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure)

ABC² is a venture philanthropy nonprofit organization that drives cutting-edge research and treatments for brain tumors. Through strategic partnerships with medical research centers, early-stage biotechnology companies and large multi-national pharmaceutical companies ABC² has awarded more than 100 grants totaling over $20 million in brain tumor research funding to highly qualified investigators and physician-scientists from 54 institutions.

Contact Information Nicola Beddow
Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure http://www.abc2.org
202-467-2051

Barbara Frentzen
The Florida Center for Brain Tumor Research 352-294-0517