ASU cancer expert Raymond DuBois to keynote AZBio Expo


May 21, 2013

Internationally renowned cancer expert Raymond DuBois will give the lunchtime keynote address at the Arizona BioIndustry Association’s AZBio Expo, May 30, at the Fiesta Resort Conference Center, 2100 S. Priest Dr., Tempe. He will speak about emerging discoveries from ASU’s Biodesign Institute, the state’s largest research facility.

The presentation and the conference will support the Arizona bioindustry’s focus and efforts on bridging the gap between new discoveries and the development and delivery of innovative marketplace solutions.  Raymond DuBois Download Full Image

“In one day, the AZBio Expo provides a statewide update of what is happening in the bioscience industry,” says Joan Koerber-Walker, president and CEO of AZBio. “We are delighted to welcome someone of Dr. DuBois’ stature to the Valley and look for his leadership in cancer research and translation to stimulate Arizona’s community of researchers, innovative companies and investors.”

Previously with University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, physician-scientist DuBois came to the Valley in December 2012 to lead the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University. In his own research, he examines the molecular mechanisms by which inflammatory mediators affect epithelial biology, the tumor microenvironment, carcinogenesis and development. 

The Biodesign Institute that DuBois leads is spearheading ASU’s innovative application of bio-inspired research that fuses previously separate scientific fields to serve as a model for 21st century academic research. Its entrepreneurial research culture attracts scientists uniquely capable of working across disciplines and in close cooperation with industry. 

In addition to his ASU responsibilities, DuBois’ appointment includes co-leadership of the Cancer Prevention Program at the Mayo Clinic, which has a hospital and clinic, and is developing a medical school campus in the Phoenix area. DuBois is also the Dalton Chair in ASU’s School of Health Solutions and professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

“We can achieve so much forward momentum by bringing the state’s bioscientists together,” says DuBois. “I am looking forward to learning more about Arizona’s scientific capabilities and entrepreneurial efforts.”

In the 1990s, DuBois and colleagues reported that colorectal tumors contained high levels of the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2). This enzyme is a key step in the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin E2. The DuBois team was the first to show that colorectal cancers over-expressed COX-2 and their research defined a series of critical molecular pathways involved in COX-2 expression – namely, that blocking or inhibiting the COX-2 enzyme would cause colorectal tumors to shrink. This work led to clinical trials and the treatment of precancerous polyps with Celebrex, an arthritis drug that selectively inhibits COX-2.  

Congressman Paul Gosar of Arizona’s 4th Congressional District will address conference-goers prior to the DuBois keynote address. The luncheon is scheduled from noon to 1:30 p.m. The conference runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Conference tickets are available at www.azbioexpo.com.  

Julie Kurth

Assistant Director, KE Strategic Marketing and Communications, Knowledge Enterprise

480-727-9386

Women's golf starts out NCAA Championships in ninth


May 22, 2013

The 12th-ranked Arizona State women's golf team is in ninth place after the first round of the 2013 NCAA Championships, hosted by the University of Georgia, Tuesday. The team shot a 5-over 293 in the first wave of tee times at the University of Georgia Golf Course. Only three teams in the field of 24 were able to shoot under par for the round.

The Sun Devils were the first to tee off in the morning wave of golfers off hole number one with temperate weather conditions. With a 7:30 a.m. tee time to start the day, dew and a brief mist of fog covered the greens.  For the round, ASU traded birdies and bogeys but finished the day fairly even. As the Sun Devils closed out the first round on hole 18, juniors Justine Lee and Laura Blanco and sophomore Noemi Jimenez each recorded a birdie to swing ASU three strokes lower for the day. Download Full Image

Lee led the Sun Devils individually, shooting even par on Tuesday. A 2012 honorable mention All-American, Lee has been hampered for a large part of the season with a wrist injury. Returning to form, Lee had several excellent saves for par and kick started the wave of birdies on 18 with an amazing mid-range putt.

With a rough patch of a couple bogies and a double bogey, Jimenez picked up her game through the rest of the back nine recording three birdies to finish her round, including a tap in putt for birdie on 18 after she laid the ball right next to the pin. 

The Sun Devils tee off tomorrow at 11:50 a.m. on 10 and will be paired again with Stanford and Texas. Pairings will be based by score for rounds three and four. 

Arizona State is a name synonymous with dominance in collegiate women's golf. In addition to holding records for the most championship appearances, Arizona State holds a monopoly on the NCAA Records book with a total of seven records.

The Sun Devils have won the most national championships in NCAA history with seven, including six in a span of eight years in the 1990's under then-head coach Linda Vollstedt.

Juno Schaser

Event coordinator, Biodesign Institute

480-965-0014