Dr. Kunle Odunsi Earns Team Science Award for Work With World-Renowned Immunologist

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Deputy Director Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, FRCOG, FACOG received recognition Saturday in honor of his work with the “lab family” of the late and well-known immunologist, Lloyd J. Old, MD.

Society for the Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) presented its 2020 SITC Team Science Award to Dr. Odunsi and a number of fellow scientists who worked alongside Dr. Old at this year’s virtual 35th Anniversary Annual Meeting on Saturday morning.

Internationally recognized as one of the founders of the field of modern tumor immunology, Dr. Old was the director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR) and held a long-standing appointment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. He passed away in 2011, leaving along a legacy of mentoring hundreds of researchers, including Dr. Odunsi.

Dr. Odunsi worked closely with Dr. Old during his tenure as United States Director of the Cancer Vaccine Collaborative from 2005-2011, a joint venture between the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) and the Ludwig Institute. Dr. Old established the CVC in 2001 – a coordinated network that would design and run early-phase trials of therapeutic vaccines for the treatment of cancer. The organization’s continued goal is to not only look at human immune system response but also improve cancer outcomes.

“I am happy to have spent time collaborating and learning alongside Dr. Old,” said Dr. Odunsi. “This award represents not just me, but countless young minds and researchers who have had the same privilege of knowing Dr. Old, as well. His legacy continues to shine through with our groundbreaking work in immunotherapy today.”

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Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a community united by the drive to eliminate cancer’s grip on humanity by unlocking its secrets through personalized approaches and unleashing the healing power of hope. Founded by Dr. Roswell Park in 1898, it is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. Learn more at www.roswellpark.org, or contact us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or ASKRoswell@RoswellPark.org.