(Press-News.org) NFCR Congratulates Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr. on Receiving the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research
Rockville, MD — The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) proudly congratulates Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr., a pioneering cancer scientist, and NFCR-supported investigator from 2001 to 2018, on being named the 2025 recipient of the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research.
Presented by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), this prestigious honor—named after Daniel D. Von Hoff, a longtime NFCR-supported scientist—recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact through the mentorship and education of cancer scientists and physicians. Dr. Bast, Director of Translational Research Career Development and the Harry Carothers Wiess Distinguished University Chair for Cancer Research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, is being recognized for his decades-long dedication to nurturing the next generation of cancer research leaders.
A globally respected physician-scientist, Dr. Bast is also known for his landmark 1981 discovery of the OC125 (CA125) monoclonal antibody that recognized the cancer antigen named as CA125 and led to the development of the CA125 blood test—the first clinically useful biomarker for monitoring epithelial ovarian cancer. His research has saved countless lives and changed the standard of care in ovarian cancer detection and management.
“Dr. Bast’s impact on cancer research goes far beyond the lab bench. He has transformed lives—both through his groundbreaking science and through the many students, trainees, and colleagues he has mentored into leaders,” said Dr. Sujuan Ba, President and CEO of the National Foundation for Cancer Research. “At NFCR, we were privileged to support Dr. Bast’s research on early detection of additional biomarkers and approaches as well as novel treatments for ovarian cancer for nearly two decades, and we continue to be inspired by the legacy he has built in both scientific discovery and education.”
The award’s namesake, Dr. Daniel D. Von Hoff, is another longtime NFCR-supported investigator (1985–present) and an internationally acclaimed leader in translational oncology. That this award honors Dr. Bast’s educational achievements while carrying the name of Dr. Von Hoff—an equally impactful mentor and innovator—makes it particularly meaningful to the NFCR community.
NFCR extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Bast and celebrates AACR’s recognition of his exceptional contributions to the future of cancer research and care.
About the National Foundation for Cancer Research
The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization co-founded in 1973 by Nobel Laureate Dr. Albert Szent-Györgyi and Attorney/Business Entrepreneur Franklin Salisbury, Sr. NFCR provides scientists in the lab with the critical seed funding they need to make game-changing discoveries in cancer detection, treatments, prevention, and ultimately, a cure for all cancers. NFCR has distinguished itself in the cancer research sector by emphasizing “high-risk, high-impact” long-term and transformative pioneering research fields often overlooked by other major funding sources. With the support of more than 5.3 million individual donors over the last 50+ years, NFCR has provided more than $415 million in funding to cancer research, prevention, and public education. NFCR-supported research has led to some of the most significant life-saving discoveries that benefit patients today. To learn more, visit NFCR.org.
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NFCR congratulates Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr. on receiving the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research
2025-04-25
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