Jogender Tushir-Singh, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine has been invited to join the Ovarian Cancer Academy with receipt of a $1.12M Early Career Investigator award from the Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program (DoD OCRP).

The overarching goal of the OCRP Ovarian Cancer Academy is to develop successful and highly productive ovarian cancer researchers in a collaborative research and career development environment. Tushir-Singh’s Designated Mentor on this award M. Sharon Stack, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and director of the Harper Cancer Research Institute, is a well-established expert in ovarian cancer research. 

Stack said, “I’m thrilled that Jogi was able to obtain this highly competitive award and am looking forward to working with him as Designated Mentor on his interesting project. His novel dual-targeting antibody-based therapeutic strategy offers a new approach to ovarian cancer treatment that may overcome obstacles seen in previous immune-based therapies.” 

The design of the OCRP DoD Ovarian Cancer Academy maximizes interaction among awardees and their Designated Mentors through webinars, workshops, and in-person meetings to develop a collaborative cohort of junior investigators with strong leadership skills dedicated to improving outcomes of women with ovarian cancer. 

Tushir-Singh received his PhD from the University of Notre Dame Department of Biological Sciences in 2007, followed by work in the pharmaceutical industry at Abbvie and Boehringer-Ingleheim prior to joining the University of Virginia in 2015.