Research leadership: Becky Deegan, PhD

This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers and leaders who will be honored at a ceremony on Nov. 6 for UNMC’s annual research awards – the prestigious Scientist Laureate Award and the Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist, New Investigator, Career Achievement and Community Service to Research Awards.

• Name: Becky Deegan, PhD
• Title: Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UNMC College of Medicine
• Joined UNMC: 2014
• Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa

Describe your research focus in three words or less:  

Prevention of cancer toxicities

Why is research important in the world today?

There are so many opinions on social media that are stated as facts with little to no research to substantiate claims, making it difficult to determine what is real and not. Research is needed more than ever to determine fact from opinion to ensure that the public and the policy makers are correctly informed.

My work will make a difference because:

I’ve been working on a class of drugs that can protect from radiation-induced damage in cancer patients. One of these drugs is in two clinical trials at UNMC and appears to be reducing side effects associated with radiation treatment. We hope that this drug obtains FDA approval so that it can be used for all patients receiving radiation therapy to improve their quality of life. The other way my work will make a difference is by helping to train the next generation of scientists to keep innovative research moving forward.

The best advice I could give a beginning researcher is:  

Collaborate with many different people. It will take your research in new unexpected directions.

The toughest lesson I’ve learned is:  

Saying yes to everything that was asked and becoming overwhelmed. I’ve had to learn to say “no.”

The best part of my job is:  

When my mentees come into my office excited to show me their new research results.

Three things you may not know about me are:

• I was born on a Monday at 7 a.m., and so was my son.
• My daughter and I wear the same size shoe, so we share all our dress shoes.
• I met my husband at a grad school date auction and bought him for $20. The best money I’ve ever spent!