Zhao Zhang, PhD, associate professor of pharmacology and cancer biology, has been named a recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Scientist Award (DSA) from The Sontag Foundation. He will receive $750,000 to support research to advance glioblastoma treatment.
Zhang's lab studies how cancer cells change their DNA to grow, adapt, and resist treatments. His research is divided into two main areas: the study of transposons — viral elements embedded in our DNA — and extrachromosomal circular DNA.
“I've been studying fundamental questions like how cancer cells change their genome for evolution and adaptation. Now I’m focused on translating that knowledge to benefit patients directly,” said Zhang, a Duke Science and Technology Scholar. “Receiving the Distinguished Scientist Award isn’t just about adding another feather to my cap. It’s like receiving an entirely new cap. My role now is to learn from our community and to gather feathers to adorn this new cap.”
Hilary Keeley, executive director of The Sontag Foundation, expressed the foundation’s enthusiasm for Zhang’s work.
"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Zhang as a DSA recipient. His innovative research brings new skills and perspectives to our DSA community, and we are excited to support his work,” Keeley said. “We look forward to seeing how his project unfolds and contributes to advancing brain cancer research."
The Distinguished Scientist Award supports early-career scientists who demonstrate exceptional promise in brain cancer research. Since its inception, the award has fostered groundbreaking discoveries and empowered researchers dedicated to finding better treatments and improving patient outcomes.