Jonathan Serody, MD, and Jen Jen Yeh, MD, were named the 2023 recipients of the Hyman L. Battle Distinguished Cancer Research Award, recognizing their significant scientific achievements and service to UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and UNC-Chapel Hill. The two were honored during a ceremony in the Lineberger Atrium on Sept. 19, where colleagues from across the cancer center, UNC School of Medicine, and UNC Health gathered to celebrate their accomplishments.
Yeh, a professor of surgery and pharmacology and founding director of the UNC Lineberger Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence, has led a sustained research program that has contributed to major discoveries in the genomic and phenotypic characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Her research has produced key insights, including the identification of molecular subtypes of pancreatic cancer, which may help clinicians tailor therapies to individual patients. Yeh and her collaborators also developed a device that could help deliver chemotherapy directly into pancreatic and other tumors, such as melanoma and squamous cell cancers of the oral cavity, improving drug efficacy and shrinking the tumors.
Serody, the Elizabeth Thomas Professor of Medicine, Microbiology, and Immunology, and chief of the Division of Hematology, is widely recognized for his research that has advanced cancer care and improved patient outcomes. His major discoveries span bone marrow transplantation, tumor immunology, and graft-versus-host disease. Serody also pioneered the use of RNA genomics to study the tumor microenvironment. Most recently, he directed the creation of UNC Lineberger’s Advanced Cellular Therapeutics Facility and cellular therapy program, which has quickly grown into one of the nation’s largest and most productive. In under a decade, the program has developed and launched nearly 20 clinical trials using novel CAR-T therapies.
Established by the Battle Foundation of Rocky Mount in 2007, the award honors exceptional cancer research at UNC-Chapel Hill. Recipients receive a $25,000 prize, and the award is supported by a permanent endowment held by the UNC Health Foundation.
During the ceremony, Serody and Yeh thanked the Battle family for creating the award and expressed their appreciation for their colleagues and lab teams. They also shared their thoughts on what makes UNC unique.
“I get to go across the street [to the N.C. Basnight Cancer Hospital] and take care of patients, and then walk across the street [to UNC Lineberger] and be in this environment with phenomenal people and resources, and ask fundamental questions about how to treat disease, how to understand disease, and how to make things better. I consider that ability to be an immense privilege and a wonderful motivator,” Serody said.
“It makes you inspired to be better, to be better for your patients, to do better research because we are surrounded by such excellence,” Yeh said.
From the nominators
Faculty nominating Yeh and Serody for the Battle Award widely cited their leadership and productivity as scientists, clinicians and mentors.
Caprice Greenberg, MD, MPH, the Colin G. Thomas, Jr., MD, Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Surgery, commended Yeh for her innovative and collaborative approach to research. She wrote in her nomination letter that Yeh was exemplary by every academic measure. “Her research has been transformative in the identification of molecular subtypes in pancreatic cancer. Dr. Yeh [also] provides a tremendous contribution in developing our next generation of physicians through her daily practice of working with learners as a remarkable mentor. She is truly an outstanding surgeon-scientist whose research is having a lasting impact on the care of cancer patients.”
Gary Johnson, PhD, Kenan Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology and the 2017 Battle Award recipient, expressed his “strongest possible support” for Yeh’s nomination. “She has contributed to major discoveries in the genomic and phenotypic characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and has become an educational leader in the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center training program for postdoctoral fellows,” he wrote. Johnson highlighted Yeh’s 2015 identification of two pancreatic cancer subtypes—basal and classical—and their clinical implications for prognosis and treatment.
Lisa A. Carey, MD, ScM, FASCO, L. Richardson and Marilyn Jacobs Preyer Distinguished Professor for Breast Cancer Research and deputy director of Clinical Sciences at UNC Lineberger, credited Serody for his groundbreaking contributions to bone marrow and stem cell transplantation, tumor immunology, and the development of one of the country’s largest cellular therapy programs. “He is an outstanding clinician, an innovative researcher, and a compassionate educator who has a true interest in serving others. He is a physician-scientist who ensures that the studies he undertakes have as much clinical translational potential as possible to help as many people as possible.”
Nancy Raab-Traub, PhD, adjunct professor of microbiology and immunology and 2009 Battle Award recipient, and Jenny Ting, PhD, the William R. Kenan, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Genetics and director of the Center for Translational Immunology and a 2016 Battle Award recipient, co-nominated Serody. “Dr. Serody is a consummate physician-scientist who easily bridges pivotal basic scientific discovery with transformative clinical practice. His contribution to UNC’s cancer research is enormous,” Ting wrote. Raab-Traub called Serody a remarkable talent. “His work has greatly enhanced our understanding of transplantation immunology particularly the biology of acute GvHD, his pioneering work using RNA sequencing to characterize the tumor microenvironment across multiple different tumors, and his cutting-edge work expanding our understanding of the role of B-cells in the immune response to cancer, are testaments to his exceptional 25-year career.”