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From left: John Dickinson, Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., Marissa Stanton, Gina Razidlo, Norman Harris, Ta-Chun Yuan, Bob Lahue, Ph.D., Janel Kopp and Heth Turnquist. |
“Training and educating new researchers in cancer is a critically important mission of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center and we appreciate the support of Norm and Bernice Harris in recognizing these outstanding student researchers,” said Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Eppley Institute and the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center.
Each award winner receives $500, thanks to the Norman & Bernice Harris Graduate Student Cancer Research Award Fund, which was established at the University of Nebraska Foundation in 1999. The couple’s interests are in colorectal, breast and uterine cancer due to their personal battles with these diseases.
Nineteen students – a record number – applied for the six awards, said Bob Lahue, Ph.D., an associate professor at the Eppley Institute. This year’s winners represent four disciplines at UNMC and include one graduate student who received the award for the second consecutive year.
The award recipients, including their hometowns and UNMC departments, are listed below:
- Austin, Minn. – Gina Razidlo, the department of pathology/microbiology and the Cancer Research Training Program.
- Firesteel, S.D. – Janel Kopp, the department of pathology/microbiology and the Cancer Research Training Program.
- Yankton, S.D. – John Dickinson, the department of genetics, cell biology and anatomy.
- Elkhorn, Neb. – Marissa Stanton, department of pathology/microbiology and the Cancer Research Training Program.
- Winner, S.D. — Heth Turnquist, the department of pathology/microbiology and the Cancer Research Training Program. Turnquist won the Harris award last year.
- Taiwan – Ta-Chun Yuan, department of biochemistry and molecular biology.
A panel of faculty judges, representing several different UNMC departments, evaluated the applications independently. The results were tabulated to determine the winners. Applications were evaluated based on publications, research presentations and other honors and awards for research, plus the cancer focus of the work and the clarity of its description. Applicants are evaluated solely on their accomplishments since the previous year’s award.
Originally from Omaha, the Harrises have lived in San Diego since 1965. Norman Harris earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1941. Until his retirement in 1973, he was a manager for a chain of retail discount stores. He then embarked on entrepreneurial adventures in real estate, franchising, accounting, tax preparation, banking and finance. Norman Harris has been a University of Nebraska Foundation Trustee since 1993. Bernice Harris is an artist who taught at the Golden Door Spa near San Diego for several years. She also has written a book on Japanese flower arranging and is a decorative arranger and consultant.