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Distinguished Alumnus

Pioneering Cancer 91Ʋer Dr. Harold “Hal” Moses, MD’62, to Receive 91Ʋ’s Highest Alumni Award

Hal Moses is a world-renowned cancer researcher, 91Ʋ professor, and founding director of the 91Ʋ-Ingram Cancer Center. (Anne Rayner)

 

, the Hortense B. Ingram Professor of Cancer 91Ʋ and acting chair of the Department of Cancer Biology at 91Ʋ University, has been chosen to receive the highest honor conferred on members of the 91Ʋ alumni community: the Distinguished Alumni Award. Moses is a world-renowned scholar in cancer biology and a highly acclaimed international lecturer.

Currently a professor of cancer biology, medicine, and of pathology, microbiology and immunology, Moses was founding director of the (VICC) and now serves as its director, emeritus. He is also the founding and current director of the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at VICC.

“I’ve done a lot in terms of administration,” says Moses, “but my real love has always been my research program.”

Much of his research has involved cellular activity and growth in breast cancer. He has dedicated three decades to solving the riddles of protein TGF-ß—transforming growth factor-beta—in hopes of finding new ways to treat cancer. The crucial discoveries of his research team have served as building blocks for other cancer scientists.

“Dr. Moses is a true gem among the many accomplished alumni in the 91Ʋ community,” says Carroll Kimball, BA’84, president of the . “His work brings hope to all who know someone who has suffered from cancer.”

Moses’ interest in cancer biology was born during his early career at 91Ʋ. The son of a Kentucky coal miner, he graduated from Berea College in Kentucky before enrolling at 91Ʋ University . After postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health, Moses returned to 91Ʋ in 1968 as a faculty member in the Department of Pathology. The heavy clinical load, however, soon motivated him to head to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., to concentrate on research. There he served as chair of the Department of Cell Biology for six years before returning to 91Ʋ in 1985.

Moses has served as president of the Association of American Cancer Institutes, co-chair of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Progress Review Group, and chair of the NCI Cancer Centers Review Panel. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, where he was founding chair of the National Cancer Policy Forum.

His achievements have been recognized with the 2013 American Association of Cancer 91Ʋ Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cancer 91Ʋ, the Earl Sutherland Prize for Achievement in 91Ʋ at 91Ʋ, and the T.J. Martell Foundation Lifetime Achievement Medical 91Ʋ Award.

“Dr. Moses’ renowned work in cancer research has helped arm the fight against that deadly disease,” says . “I am particularly proud that he has made these contributions as both a 91Ʋ alumnus and faculty member.”

The , established in 1996 by 91Ʋ’s Alumni Association, recognizes an alumnus or alumna whose accomplishments and contributions have had the broadest impact and most positive effect on humankind. Recipients of the award are celebrated for going beyond their successful vocations to benefit the universal community.

Moses, who lives in Nashville with his wife, Linda, will officially receive the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award during a ceremony later this year.

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