The UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Cancer Research Training & Education Coordination program celebrated emerging scientists and clinicians at its annual training awards ceremony on May 21. The event recognized outstanding graduate students and postdoctoral fellows poised to advance cancer research and patient care.
This year’s ceremony held special significance as UNC Lineberger marks its 50th anniversary later this fall. In the ceremony’s opening statements, Jeremy Rich, MD, MHS, MBA, deputy director of research and chief scientific officer at UNC Lineberger and professor of neurology at UNC School of Medicine, underscored the center’s enduring mission.
“For half a century, one constant has guided our mission: a deep and unwavering commitment to developing the next generation of researchers, clinicians and program leaders,” Rich said. “Today, we are honored to recognize five exceptional graduate students and seven outstanding postdoctoral fellows whose talent, drive and dedication shine in our labs and clinics. They represent the future — and the promise — of cancer research and care.”
Graduate Dissertation Awards
Marci K. Campbell and Michael S. O’Malley Dissertation Awards
These competitive awards recognize excellence in dissertation research focused on cancer and the population sciences. Each recipient receives $3,000 to support their ongoing work.
2025 Awardees:
- Claire (I-Hsuan) Su
- Matthew Dunn
Learn more about the Campbell and O’Malley Awards and view past recipients.
Graduate Fellow Awards in Basic Science
Up to three outstanding graduate students in UNC Lineberger faculty members’ research programs with active, peer-reviewed grant support are recognized with this annual award, receiving $3,000 to stimulate cancer-related basic research.
2025 Awardees:
- Andrew Kennedy
- Jenny Coelho
- Daila Fleifel
Learn more about the Graduate Fellow Awards in Basic Science and view past recipients.
Postdoctoral Awards
Joseph S. Pagano Award
Named in honor of Joseph Pagano, MD, founding director of UNC Lineberger, this award celebrates notable cancer-related papers authored by UNC Lineberger postdoctoral fellows. Winners are selected through a competitive process for their authorship of articles in high-impact journals, receiving a $3,000 cash prize and potentially giving a featured talk at a future UNC Lineberger event.
2025 Awardees:
- Xin Zhou, PhD
- Jennifer Klomp, PhD
Learn more about the Pagano Award and view past recipients.
Zhou was unable to attend the award ceremony.
Pope Clinical Trainee Awards
Funded by the John William Pope Foundation, these awards honor outstanding clinical trainees (MD and MD/PhD) for their cancer research accomplishments and clinical excellence. Recipients are recognized for their performance on cancer-related clinical or translational research projects and for demonstrating excellence in clinical cancer care. Each award is for $3,000.
2025 Awardees:
- Jeffrey Lee Jensen, MD, PhD (Department of Medicine)
- Ethan Steele, MD, MS (Department of Radiation Oncology)
- Jaewon Lee, MD (Department of Surgery, Surgical Oncology)
- Joseph Kearney, MD (Department of Surgery, General Surgery)
- Zach Feuer, MD (Department of Urology)
Learn more about the Pope Clinical Trainee Awards and view past recipients.
UNC Lineberger’s Cancer Research Training & Education Coordination (CRTEC) program, led by co-associate directors Bernard Weissman, PhD, and Claire Dees, MD, ScM (interim), along with assistant director Ashley Leak Bryant, PhD, RN, OCN, FAAN, is dedicated to developing and overseeing training, educational and career development opportunities for students, trainees and faculty across basic, translational, clinical and population sciences.