Biomedical Researcher Neil Ganem Named Searle Scholar

Ganem NeilNeil Ganem, PhD, assistant professor of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics and Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), has been named a 2015 Searle Scholar. Ganem is one of 15 young scientists—and the first from Boston University—to receive the prestigious, three-year $300,000 award.

Ganem received his PhD from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College and was a postdoctoral fellow at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on the causes and consequences of chromosomal instability, broadly defined as the persistent acquisition of both numerical and structural chromosomal aberrations. Chromosomal instability is a hallmark of solid cancers and is known to facilitate tumor initiation, progression and relapse. Last year he received a 2014 Smith Family Foundation Award for Excellence in Biomedical Research.

“We are delighted that Dr. Ganem has been named a Searle Scholar, one of the most prestigious and competitive new investigator awards. He is the first Boston University faculty member to achieve this distinction,” said Karen Antman, MD, dean of Boston University School of Medicine and provost of Boston University Medical Campus. “We thank the Searle Scholars Program for this award, which will further support Dr. Ganem’s research on how cancer cells adapt to abnormal chromosomal content.”

Since the program’s inception in 1980, 542 Searle Scholars have shared $115,620,000 in funding. This year, 186 applications were considered from recently appointed assistant professors, nominated by 126 universities and research institutions. The 2015 Searle Scholars have already demonstrated innovative research and were selected due to their potential for making significant contributions to chemical and biological research over the course of their careers.

“Each of these bold and talented young scientists has opened up novel approaches to answer fundamental questions in biology and the biomedical sciences,” said Dr. Doug Fambrough, Scientific Director. “In addition, they have all thought deeply about how their work might address major human burdens such as cancer, autoimmunity, and autism. We are delighted to be able to give an early boost to their careers.”