Leading cancer biologist to head Louisiana Cancer Research Center
World-renowned cancer biology researcher Joe W. Ramos, PhD, has been selected to lead the Louisiana Cancer Research Center (LCRC), a collaborative hub in downtown New Orleans that brings together top cancer researchers from Tulane and other area universities to seek treatments and cures for one of the world’s leading causes of death.
Ramos most recently served as the interim director of the University of Hawaii Cancer Center (UHCC) and the B.H. and Alice C. Beams Endowed Professor at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. He oversaw a research institution that has maintained 25 years of continuous cancer center designation by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and which has 300 faculty and staff, 200 affiliate members and a deep history of collaborative research.
LCRC, located at the corner of Tulane and South Claiborne avenues, clusters the area’s leading cancer research institutions into one high-profile hub to share resources, attract bigger and more prestigious national grant awards, encourage inter-institutional research and, ultimately, earn a coveted federal National Cancer Institute cancer center designation.
“Every one of us knows a friend, family member or loved one who has faced a diagnosis of cancer, or we may have received one ourselves,” said Tulane University President Michael Fitts. “Having someone of Dr. Ramos’ renown and expertise lead the LCRC promises far-reaching benefits for our community and region in terms of public health, scientific advancement and economic impact. A cancer center with the potential to earn a NCI designation will join a growing constellation of healthcare facilities, labs, institutes and centers, in the heart of New Orleans’ Bioinnovation District, which is dedicated to discoveries and breakthroughs that can improve lives and health outcomes for our state and the world.”
Tulane partners with LCRC through the Tulane Cancer Center which supports cancer-focused faculty currently conducting more than $18 million in cancer-relevant national peer-reviewed research across the University. LCRC also includes researchers from LSU Health New Orleans, Xavier University of Louisiana and Ochsner Health.
“With advances in cancer diagnostics, personalized medicine and precision immunotherapy treatments, Dr. Ramos joins LCRC at one of the most exciting times in the field of cancer research,” said Dr. Lee Hamm, Tulane senior vice president and dean of the School of Medicine. “The LCRC is a critical partner in uniting the region’s considerable scientific and clinical capabilities into a research powerhouse to attract talent and funding to advance cancer breakthroughs right here in New Orleans.”
Ramos will be officially introduced to the research community as director and chief executive officer of the LCRC on July 26 and will begin a tour of research institutions in the state that same week.
For more information, read the full announcement from LCRC here.
