Damon Runyon and Doris Duke Foundations announce partnership to support physician-scientists

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation (DRCRF) and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) are pleased to announce their partnership in supporting an early career physician-scientist. Tobias J.E. Carling, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Yale University School of Medicine has been named as the first Doris Duke-Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator.

Dr. Carling will receive a total of $486,000 over three years for his project "Molecular Genetics of Endocrine Tumor Disease" (see below for lay summary). In addition, DRCRF will retire up to $100,000 of any qualifying outstanding medical school debt still owed by Dr. Carling.

“It is a great honor to receive the Doris Duke-Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award for my research and scientific career development and to be supported by two of the most prestigious private medical research foundations in the country,” said Dr. Carling.

The Damon Runyon and Doris Duke Foundations support young physician-scientists through similar grant programs, the Clinical Investigator Award and Clinical Scientist Development Award, respectively. Dr. Carling was recommended to receive each of these awards following rigorous independent peer review processes by both Foundations.

"There is a significant shortage of talented physician-scientists dedicated to translating research from the laboratory to the patient's bedside in search of breakthrough treatments," said Lorraine Egan, Executive Director of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. "Both Foundations are highly committed to encouraging the careers of these unique individuals."

"We're delighted to be partnering with the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation to fund Dr. Carling's project," said Ed Henry, president of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. "This award allows Dr. Carling the financial and professional benefits of being affiliated with both DDCF and DRCRF."

Lay Summary of Research

Dr. Carling focuses on endocrine tumors, a type of cancer which affects hormone-producing tissues in the body (such as the thyroid, pituitary gland, adrenal gland and islet cells of the pancreas). The underlying genetic basis for endocrine tumors is not yet known. Dr. Carling's goal is to complete a comprehensive genomic analysis of patients with endocrine tumor disease in order to identify individual genes involved in early cancer formation. His research will provide important insights into the development of endocrine tumors as well as other cancer types, laying the basis for future individualized medical and surgical management of cancer.

Dr. Carling works under the mentorship of Richard P. Lifton, MD, PhD, and Robert Udelsman, MD, MBA.

Provided by Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation