"Father of Tamoxifen" to Join MD Anderson

HOUSTON, July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- V. Craig Jordan, Ph.D., one of the world's preeminent breast cancer experts will join The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center this fall. Jordan is considered the "Father of Tamoxifen," the groundbreaking therapeutic drug that has saved countless lives.

As a professor in Breast Medical Oncology and Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Jordan will focus on the new biology of estrogen-induced cell death with the goal of developing new approaches for treating and preventing cancer. He will begin work at MD Anderson in October.

"This is an exciting moment and I'm delighted that Dr. Jordan will be contributing to significant translational research activities in breast cancer here at MD Anderson," said Ron DePinho, M.D., president of MD Anderson. "His international reputation as a trailblazer in translational research and his many achievements and honors are well deserved."

Currently, Jordan serves as scientific director of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University, and the Vincent T. Lombardi Chair of Translational Cancer Research. He also serves as vice chairman of the Department of Oncology and professor of oncology and pharmacology at Georgetown University's Medical School. In addition, he's a visiting professor of molecular medicine at the University of Leeds in England, and an adjunct professor of molecular pharmacology and biological chemistry at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Jordan's list of achievements is extensive, featuring more than four-dozen international awards. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2009. Other honors include:

• The St. Gallen Prize for Breast Cancer (2011)
• The David A. Karnofsky Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (2008)
• The Charles F. Kettering Prize (2003)
• The American Cancer Society Medal of Honor (2002)
• The Dorothy P. Landon Award in Translational Research from the American Association for Cancer Research (2002)
• The Bristol Myers Squibb Award (2001)
• The Cameron Prize from the University of Edinburgh (1993)

Jordan has also contributed to more than 700 publications. He has edited 11 books and has more than 26,000 scientific citations. He's author of the book "Tamoxifen, Pioneering Medicine in Breast Cancer.

"I am proud to join MD Anderson Cancer Center," said Jordan. "It is indeed an honor to continue my work at this world renowned cancer center where I look forward to working with my distinguished colleagues."

For more information: http://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/news-releases/2014/father-tamoxifen-md-anderson.html

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140723/129913

SOURCE The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center