AICR
WASHINGTON, DC – The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) has awarded approximately $1.15 million in scientific research grants to seven innovative projects, all designed to better understand the relationship between diet, nutrition, physical activity, body weight and cancer prevention and survivorship.
Grant recipients were selected through a competitive application process and judged by an independent panel of experts. The diverse research topics focus on a variety of cancers in women and men and identify a wide array of the most common risk factors and their impact on prevention, survivorship and recurrence.
“Despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, AICR remains dedicated to funding research that advances our understanding of how lifestyle factors impact cancer risk and outcomes. People can make choices about lifestyle factors and these insights provide a valuable sense of control for people facing cancer,” says Vice President of Research at AICR, Dr. Nigel Brockton. “We continued to push forward with our grant program by holding virtual meetings while ensuring the same high standards of scientific rigor. We are thrilled to be able to award seven new grants this year. Insights from these studies will help us target cancer prevention more effectively, improve survivorship and increase public understanding of the link between lifestyle and cancer risk.”
Over three decades, AICR-funded research has helped move the needle on understanding the link between lifestyle and cancer. AICR has contributed more than $110 million to support over 750 studies conducted at universities, hospitals and research centers across North, South and Central America.
Below is a list of the 2021 AICR research grantees.
Christine Brainson, PhD
University of Kentucky Research Foundation
How dietary methionine influences lung cancer initiation and chemosensitivity
Michael De Lisio, PhD
University of Ottawa
Aberrant myelopoiesis as a novel mechanism for the differential effects of obesity and exercise on colorectal cancer risk
Brian Focht, PhD
Ohio State University
Addressing obesity to reduce cancer risk and health disparities in underserved populations
Christopher Haiman, ScD
University of Southern California
Interactions of polygenic risk score with BMI, physical activity and dietary patterns on risk of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer in the Multiethnic Cohort
Xin Lu, PhD
University of Notre Dame
Overcome resistance to cancer immunotherapy with ketogenic diet-induced epigenetic reprogramming
Scherezade Mama, DrPH
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Feasibility of an adapted multicomponent physical activity intervention to reduce psychosocial distress in rural adults following cancer diagnosis
Erik Nelson, PhD
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Determining the impact of different preparation techniques of foods high in cholesterol on breast cancer progression
About the American Institute for Cancer Research
Our vision: We want to live in a world where no one develops a preventable cancer.
Our mission: The American Institute for Cancer Research champions the latest and most authoritative scientific research from around the world on cancer prevention and survival through diet, weight and physical activity, so that we can help people make informed lifestyle choices to reduce their cancer risk.
We have contributed over $110 million for innovative research conducted at universities, hospital and research centers across the Americas. Find evidence-based tools and information for lowering cancer risk, including AICR’s Cancer Prevention Recommendations, at aicr.org.
