Renowned cancer researcher accepts position at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center

CHARLESTON, S.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 19, 2006–Dr. Anthony J. Alberg of the Bloomberg School for Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, has been appointed the “Blatt Ness Distinguished Endowed Chair in Oncology” at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Hollings Cancer Center (HCC).

Dr. Alberg, has been the co-Director of the George W. Comstock Center for Public Health Research and Prevention, Director of the Cancer Epidemiology Program and an Associate Professor at The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University before accepting the job at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center (HCC).

In 1994, Dr. Alberg graduated from Johns Hopkins University, Department of Epidemiology with a Doctor of Philosophy degree. In 1984 he graduated from Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health with a Masters Degree in Public Health. He also attended the University of California, Davis and received a Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1980.

He has been with the Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health since 1999 as an Assistant Professor, but quickly moved up the leadership ladder. Having published nearly 70 papers in leading peer-reviewed journals and contributing to 24 grants in his field of expertise, Dr. Alberg has developed a national reputation in cancer prevention and control. He is currently funded by the National Cancer Institute to study why a personal history of non-melanoma skin cancer is associated with an increased subsequent risk of both non-skin cancers and skin cancers. He has also been a lecturer and mentor from the beginning of his career and has shared his knowledge with a generation of medical and public health students.

According to Dr. Alberg, he also has major interests in the contribution of active and passive cigarette smoke to cancer etiology and tobacco control. Ongoing research in these areas includes second hand smoke and cancer, the use of nicotine replacement therapies in populations and molecular epidemiology of lung cancer. Other areas of study include the contribution of lifestyle factors to cancer, with an ongoing project funded by the World Cancer Research Fund to perform a systematic literature review of diet, nutrition, physical activity in relation to cancers of the lung and nasopharynx.

“Dr. Alberg brings to us his tremendous knowledge of the epidemiology of skin and lung cancer and will help the Hollings Cancer Center to fulfill its mission of prevention and lessening the cancer burden for all people in South Carolina.” said Andrew Kraft, M.D., Director of Hollings Cancer Center. “On behalf of the Hollings Cancer Center, we are pleased to have him on board as our Associate Director of Prevention and Control, and we all look forward to partnering with him to discover ways citizens can alter their lifestyle to lessen the likelihood of developing all cancers.”

An endowed chair, such as the Blatt Ness Distinguished Endowed Chair in Oncology, is an elite faculty appointment that carries with it a stable, guaranteed source of funding to support the chair-holder’s work. A chair is usually established by a pool of philanthropically provided funds totaling $1 million, which is invested in a professionally managed fund. The principal remains in this fund, generating interest income that is used to attract and support a leading scientist. Because only the investment income may be expended, the corpus portion of the endowed chair exists in perpetuity, creating a permanent means of supporting continued progress in a vital field of medical research.

If you would like to support the Blatt Ness Distinguished Endowed Chair in Oncology, please contact the Hollings Cancer Center Director of Development, Rachael D. Smith at (843) 792-7694 or [email protected].

The Blatt Ness Distinguished Endowed Chair in Oncology was established by attorneys from the former Law Offices of Ness Motley Richardson Loadholt & Poole, P.A., to honor the distinguished careers of the late Speaker Solomon Blatt and the late Justice B. “Bubba” Ness.

Blatt was the country’s longest serving State Legislator, devoting 53 of his 91 years to the South Carolina House of Representatives. His 32 years of service as House Speaker marked another national legislative record.

Ness was elected to the South Carolina Supreme Court in 1974, following service as a South Carolina State Senator and Circuit Judge. He was elected Chief Justice in 1985 and served until 1988.