, researcher at at the (the U) and professor of oncological sciences at the U, has been elected as a member to the . The academy is the most prestigious science organization in the United States, and becoming a member is a distinguished honor within the scientific community. “I was very surprised. I did not expect this at all,” says Edgar. “I’ve received congratulations from many of my colleagues, and that means so much to me. But I’ve also heard from fellow scientists who I don’t know as well. To realize that they were congratulating me for my work in science—and not because of a personal connection—is very special. I also want to express my gratitude to my trainees and collaborators who over many years have helped me to propel our discoveries forward.” Edgar has made significant contributions to the scientific study of cell growth and proliferation. His work has primarily been conducted on the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. The fruit fly has a short life cycle and a similar genetic makeup to humans, making it an ideal model for learning about human biology and cancer development. His research program has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the European Research Council, and other prestigious organizations.
Early in his career, Edgar made fundamental discoveries in the cell cycle, mitosis, and how DNA replication is controlled in cells. He has also helped identify and analyze a variety of genes and oncogenes, genes that can mutate to transform a normal cell into a cancer cell. Edgar’s work with fruit flies has led to an understanding of the human genes CDC25, which controls cell division, and Rheb, a gene that controls a key signaling pathway that drives cell growth, among other capabilities. Over the past 15 years, Edgar has been researching stem cells, a type of cell essential for tissue maintenance, regeneration, and longevity, in the intestines of fruit flies, mouse models, and humans. He and his team are studying how stem cell growth and proliferation is controlled in the normal healthy intestine and how abnormal gene activities change stem cells to grow tumors. His research has made significant contributions to the understanding of how inflammatory bowel diseases and colon and stomach cancers develop. “Dr. Edgar is an internationally recognized leader in the fields of cell and developmental biology, where he has made numerous important discoveries on the mechanisms governing cell division, growth, and development. His work has been pivotal for understanding tissue development and regeneration and also how dysregulation of these mechanisms can lead to a variety of health conditions, including inflammation, tissue atrophy, and cancer,” says , chief academic officer at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of oncological sciences at the U. “Admission to the National Academy of Sciences involves a very rigorous process—you have to be nominated, reviewed by scientific committees, and then elected by eminent scientific peers across the United States and international scientific community...It is among the highest scientific honors one can receive. Dr. Edgar is very deserving.” “We are delighted that Dr. Edgar has received this prestigious recognition. He is one of our most innovative and accomplished laboratory scientists, and his pioneering research—using fruit flies as a model—has yielded fundamental insights with direct relevance to human health and cancer. The discoveries made in his lab continue to shape today’s treatments and pave the way for tomorrow’s breakthroughs,” says , chief scientific officer and executive director of the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute. “This impactful work has been made possible through sustained federal support.” “This recognition reflects Dr. Edgar's remarkable creativity and deep insight into the fundamental mechanisms of development—work that is shedding new light on cancer and other critical health conditions,” says , CEO of University of Utah Health and senior vice president for health sciences. “We are fortunate to have such an exceptional researcher among us at the University of Utah.” Edgar joined the faculty of Huntsman Cancer Institute and the U in 2016. He received his PhD in genetics from the University of Washington. He then completed post-doctoral work at the University of California at San Francisco and with Nobel Prize-winning geneticist Paul Nurse at Oxford University. He worked for many years at in Seattle before moving to Heidelberg, Germany. There, he served as a professor in the and a division leader at the . Edgar looks forward to being part of how the National Academy of Sciences contributes to science education and informs the public about the importance of scientific research to society, the economy, and American well-being. Founded in 1863, the National Academy of Sciences aims to recognize outstanding research and promote a broader understanding of science to the public. According to a National Academy of Sciences , Edgar is one of 120 new members elected to the academy. Total membership is now 2,662 highly respected scientists. “This recognition by my peers and more senior scientists in the field means so much to me,” says Edgar. “I would like to thank the scientific community for recognizing me and the many colleagues I had the pleasure to work with. I did not expect this honor, and I really appreciate it.” , chief executive officer of Huntsman Cancer Institute, was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2021, a testament to her distinguished and ongoing achievements. Her research discovered a new pathway that is crucial in enabling cells to respond to mechanical signals in their environment. "I am thrilled to celebrate Bruce Edgar's election to the National Academy of Sciences. His pioneering work has significantly advanced our knowledge of cell growth, and this honor is a fitting recognition of his exceptional scientific achievements and influence," says Beckerle. "It is truly inspiring to see a colleague I hold in high regard receive such a prestigious accolade." Past and Present University of Utah Researchers in the National Academies
Below are lists of current or former University of Utah faculty elected to one or more of the National Academies. Note that some were elected before or after their tenure at the university and that some have died since their election. National Academy of Sciences:
Brenda Bass, Mary Beckerle, Cynthia Burrows, Mario Capecchi, Dana Carroll, Thure Cerling, Phyllis Coley, James Ehleringer, Henry Eyring, Louis Goodman, Christopher Hacon, Henry Harpending, Jesse Jennings, Kristen Hawkes, James O’Connell, Erik Jorgensen, Valeria Molinero, Baldomero “Toto” Olivera, Josef Michl, C. Dale Poulter, John Roth, Jeremy Sabloff, Peter Stang, Julian Steward, Wesley Sundquist, Sidney Velick, Cheves Walling, Ray White, and Polly Wiessner National Academy of Medicine:
Eli Adashi, Mario Capecchi, Bob Carter, Paul Clayton, Wendy Chapman, Stephen Jacobsen, Sung Wan Kim, Vivian Lee, Sung Wan Kim, Baldomero Olivera, and Homer Warner National Academy of Engineering:
Jindrich Kopecek, R. Peter King, Adel Sarofim, Sung Wan Kim, Gerald Stringfellow, Donald Dahlstrom, George Hill, Jan Miller, Milton Wadsworth, Thomas Stockham, John Herbst, Stephen Jacobsen, Willem Kolff, Alex Oblad, Anil Virkar, and William Hustruli In her latest study, , director of cancer communication research at and professor of communications at the , is using chatbots to reach Spanish-speaking patients and teach them about genetic testing. The chatbots, computer programs that simulate conversation, give patients the same information they would get in an appointment with a genetic counselor to learn about genetic testing. This is done by using texted prompts, allowing for more flexibility and accessibility since patients can use this tool anywhere. If a patient meets the criteria for genetic testing, they can be offered testing through the genetic counseling team. And now, Kaphingst and her team have received additional funding from the for this specific project. “Our initial trial allowed us to develop and test the chatbot,” says Kaphingst. “This funding allows our team to reach a new population.” Kaphingst’s background in genetics and health communication has motivated her to find new ways to reach and educate patients. Her team of researchers include , , CGC, , MS, , MD, PhD, FACMI, as well as , MSCI, PhD, from . “It is important for people to know about their risk of cancer,” says Kaphingst. “As a cancer center, our goal is to effectively communicate this information to the public. There are many things individuals can do to reduce their risk, like early screening or preventative surgery. Our goal is to empower patients, ensuring they have the information necessary to make informed decisions about their health.” The new phase of this research will focus on Spanish-speaking women. According to Kaphingst, Spanish-speaking women are less likely to receive genetic testing services when compared to English-speaking patients. This means that patients with hereditary cancer risks, like hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, are less likely to be identified, which can lead to poorer health outcomes. “Our previous work has shown that about 25% to 30% of people who are eligible for genetic testing receive it,” says Kaphingst. “It is so important to address some of the inequities we see in the area we serve. It is really an important issue: making sure that everybody can access the services they need.” Huntsman Cancer Institute is home to many resources, including a patient navigation program specifically tailored for people who speak Spanish. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute including P30 CA042014 and . The chatbots were developed in a recently completed trial funded by the . |
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