Chief Research Officer, Vice President Of Scientific And Medical Affairs Named At The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

"To meet our aggressive goal to double survival by 2020, we must expand our scientific and clinical endeavors," said Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, President and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. "Lynn's vast knowledge of the organization and Doug's fresh perspective will drive change for this deadly disease and move us closer to our goal."  

In her expanded role as Chief Research Officer, Matrisian will develop initiatives designed to transform pancreatic cancer outcomes, a disease with a five-year survival rate of just 8 percent. These initiatives include early detection approaches and the creation of novel biomarker-driven clinical trials.  

Prior to joining the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Matrisian led a research laboratory dedicated to understanding cancer metastasis. She has published more than 220 original scientific articles and trained more than 30 young scientists.

Matrisian was the founding chair of the department of cancer biology in the School of Medicine at Vanderbilt University, President of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and a special assistant to the director of the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. She earned a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Arizona and an MBA from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.

Laidlaw will oversee the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's Research Grants, Clinical Initiatives and Patient Services departments, which include the Patient Registry and Know Your Tumor^SM personalized medicine program. Laidlaw will ensure the organization continues to fund high-priority research and provide critical resources to patients and their caregivers fighting the disease.

With 15 years of experience in leadership positions within the biopharmaceutical industry and academic settings, Laidlaw most recently served as president and founder of Summit Scientific Consulting. In this role, he provided clinical and medical affairs services for start-up and small-scale specialty pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Laidlaw earned his PhD in physiological sciences from the University of Arizona, where he studied changes in muscle activation and motor performance associated with advancing age. He also has a master's degree in exercise and sport sciences from the University of Arizona. 

From 2003 to 2015, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has funded more than $28 million in research grants to 122 scientists at 51 leading institutions nationwide and is currently awarding an additional $6.8 million in funding through its 2016 grants. Patient Central Associates have served over 100,000 contacts by providing clinical trials information, treatment options and hope to those fighting pancreatic cancer.

Learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network by visiting http://www.pancan.org/.

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About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization is leading the way to increase survival for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative — The Vision of Progress: Double Pancreatic Cancer Survival by 2020. To continue to accelerate progress, a goal to raise $200 million by 2020 is also in place. Together, we can Wage Hope and rewrite the future of pancreatic cancer.

Contact:
Cara Martinez
Senior Manager, Public Relations 
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Direct: 310-706-3357 Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

Related Links

http://www.pancan.org