Anil K. Rustgi, chief of gastroenterology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, is once again the recipient of a Research Professor Award from the American Cancer Society (ACS), the organization’s most prestigious national award. It comes with a grant of five years to enable Dr. Rustgi to continue to provide leadership in his research on the genetics and biology of gastrointestinal cancers, including those arising from the colon and pancreas. His group has provided innovative scientific contributions in the development of 3D culture systems, mouse models and bridging the preclinical arena and clinical domains.

The Rustgi lab has long focused on how preneoplastic cells become neoplastic and the tumor microenvironment. With the ACS grant and other efforts, the lab is increasingly interested in GI cancer metastasis biology and avenues to target metastatic lesions in patients.

Dr. Rustgi is one of only 25 active ACS Research Professors in the country. He was first awarded an ACS professorship award in 2010. This is a one-time, five-year renewal.