Honour for ‘outstanding’ cancer scientist
Dr Mark Tangney, 37, principal investigator at the Cork Cancer Research Centre (CCRC), was honoured for his exceptional work which has led to the discovery and development of several new cancer treatments.
Dr Tangney led a research team at CCRC which in April reported that a type of harmless bacteria commonly found in yoghurts could revolutionise the battle against cancer.
He also led a team which identified DNA vaccines which could be used to effectively protect against prostate cancer.
The Junior Chamber International competition recognises outstanding endeavour and achievement of nominees aged between 18-40.
Dr Tangney was nominated by Fiona O’Regan of the CCRC.
“I was delighted to nominate Mark for this award. He is an exceptional scientist who not only has developed a vaccine which activates the immune system against prostate cancer, but has also made a number of significant breakthroughs in gene therapy,” she said.
“Mark also brought the International Society of Cancer Gene Therapy’s annual conference to Cork in 2009, which represented a coup in increasing Ireland’s international profile, as well as being of great benefit to the Cork Cancer Research Centre.”
Dr Tangney is an internationally recognised expert in the field of cancer gene therapy and is vice-president of the Irish Society for Gene and Cell Therapy, the youngest member of the Executive Committee of the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy of Cancer, and the youngest member on the editorial board of Human Gene Therapy.
He has over 10 years experience in the field of cancer gene therapy and was instrumental in securing several million euro of funding which led to the establishment of the research group in Cork which discovered and developed the new treatments.
He is currently the visiting scholar at the David Geffen School of Medicine, at the University of California, where he is conducting further research.
He has also published 40 papers in international journals and holds patents in relation to gene delivery technology for cancer.
