For Immediate Release
June 25, 2008
deborah.pettibone@roswellpark.org

Candace Johnson, PhD, Appointed Deputy Director

BUFFALO, NY – Candace S. Johnson, PhD, a nationally recognized leader in translational research who has been actively involved in shaping the resurgence of Roswell Park as a premier cancer center, has been appointed Deputy Director of Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI).

She will continue to serve as Chair of the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Dr. Johnson has been a senior faculty member in the department and Senior Vice President, Translational Research since 2002, and was endowed as the Robert, Lew and Ann Wallace Chair in Translational Research at the Institute in 2005.

As Deputy Director of RPCI, Dr. Johnson is responsible for integrating science, clinical research and education missions; execution of research initiatives and milestones in the RPCI strategic plan; and oversight of the National Cancer Institute core grant, annual scientific report, annual scientific retreat, and faculty forum.

“Dr. Johnson’s continued insights and expertise will be invaluable as Roswell Park expands its prevention, education, research and clinical care programs. Her exceptional scientific and managerial skills help to create a rich working environment that allows faculty and staff to advance their research fields, which ultimately leads to innovations in cancer care and treatment,” said Donald L. Trump, MD, FACP, President and CEO at Roswell Park. “Roswell Park is fortunate to have such a highly qualified scientist and administrator to help further the Institute’s goal to become one of the nation’s foremost cancer centers.”

Dr. Johnson came to Roswell Park from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, where she served as Deputy Director of Basic Research and Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Dr. Johnson earned her doctoral degree in Immunology from Ohio State University, Columbus, in 1977. From 1977 to 1981, Dr. Johnson completed research and postdoctoral fellowships in Immunology/Cell Biology at the Michigan Cancer Foundation, Detroit.

Dr. Johnson is a member of the National Institutes of Health Reviewers Reserve and is a member of many professional and scientific societies. She is Associate Editor of Molecular and Cellular Differentiation, Oncology, and Molecular Pharmacology, and a member of the editorial boards of Oncology Reports, Molecular Cancer Therapeutics and Molecular Pharmacology. She serves on a number of national external advisory committees including the Ralph C. Wilson, Sr. and Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Medical Research Foundation.

Dr. Johnson has authored or co-authored more than 130 journal publications, book chapters and abstracts. She provides leadership and oversight to the Institute’s Technology Transfer and Commercial Development Office and has been issued patents on the “Use of Pretreatment Chemicals to Enhance Efficacy of Cytotoxic Agents” and “Endothelial Specific Targeting” with a patent pending on “Method of Treating Solid Tumors and Leukemias Using Combination Therapy of Vitamin D and Anti-Metabolite Nucleoside Analogs.”

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center. The Institute was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

-30-