Having research published in a distinguished scientific journal is a hard earned and notable professional achievement. Having research featured in the National Institutes of Health director’s blog is an unexpected and greatly appreciated honor – even for the most accomplished scientists.
Last week, NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli, MD, wrote about research led by UNC Lineberger’s Channing J. Der, PhD, Sarah Graham Kenan Distinguished Professor at UNC School of Medicine’s Department of Pharmacology, and Adrienne D. Cox, PhD, professor of Pharmacology and Radiation Oncology at UNC School of Medicine, and their colleagues.
“It was rather remarkable to learn that Dr. Bertagnolli wanted to write about our team’s recent Science papers, which provided the most comprehensive molecular portrait of the workings of KRAS, a key cancer-causing gene, and how its activities impact pancreatic cancer outcomes,” said Der, a corresponding author of both articles. “We were quite pleased with this highlight, since only one study is highlighted each week, considering how many NIH-funded studies they have to choose from.”
Cox added, “We are trained as scientists to value the communication of scientific findings through journal publications and meeting presentations, but having the NIH director feature our work in her blog as well was quite gratifying. More importantly, it allowed our research to reach a broader audience.”
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