Ronald J. Buckanovich, M.D., Ph.D.
The Marvin and Betty Danto Family Foundation Emerging Scholar
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology
Developing Innovative Therapies for Cancers in Women
An Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Ronald Buckanovich is studying the development of novel diagnostic tests and therapeutic agents for women’s cancer, including breast and ovarian.
Currently, his laboratory is developing immunotherapeutics that can be used to kill cancer stem cells and tumor vessels residing within the tumor vascular niche. These biologic therapies can target proteins uniquely expressed in ovarian tumor vessels. In addition, his laboratory has identified two novel compounds which directly target cancer stem cells; one which blocks the ability of caner stem cells to self renew, and a second which is poisons a protein made only by cancer stem cells.
For his thesis research at the Rockefeller University, he characterized the cellular target of an auto-immune neurologic disease associated with breast and ovarian cancer. This work resulted in a novel diagnostic test currently used in clinical practice. During his fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, he continued his research on ovarian cancer, identifying dozens of novel clinical targets expressed in ovarian tumor vasculature. This work resulted in a clinical trial of a novel therapeutic in ovarian cancer and the development of a second therapeutic to enhance tumor vaccine therapy.
In addition to his laboratory studies, he has a busy clinical practice, specializing in the treatment of ovarian and uterine cancers. He was recently awarded a Clinical Investigator Award from the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation and the National Institutes of Health ‘New Innovator’ Directors Award. In addition, his labs work was recognized by the Society of Gynecologic Oncology with the Best Basic Science Award and Gynecologic Cancer Foundation’s Carol’s Cause Award.
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Taubman Emerging Scholars Program
Request for applications
Applications are being accepted for the Taubman Institute Emerging Scholars Program.
The applicant must be a junior member of the faculty at the University of Michigan; generally, that means holding an assistant professor title. The applicant must have either an M.D. or an M.D./Ph.D. It is required that candidates both conduct basic research and treat patients.
Applicants should submit a two-to-three page research proposal, as well as a current CV. Priority will be given to proposals involving translational research. Please submit material to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The deadline is May 7, 2012.
Young Friends host festive NYC fundraiser
Reception introduced scholar candidate Dr. Parag Patil
About 125 supporters of cutting-edge medical research mixed socializing and science May 9 at a cocktail party in Manhattan hosted by the Young Friends of the Taubman Institute's New York City chapter.
The event introduced Dr. Parag Patil, a University of Michigan physician-researcher and a prospective Young Friends Emerging Scholar. Here's a clip from Dr. Patil's appearance on the TV program "The Doctors," where he demonstrates how deep-brain stimulation has helped a patient with Parkinson's disease.
Emerging Scholars are early-career clinician-scientists who show great promise in research aimed at new cures or treatments; through the Taubman Institute, donors support them with three-year grants while their labs earn the credentials to win broader funding support.
The Young Friends event, which raised a significant contribution toward the Emerging Scholars program, was held at the ABC Carpet & Home showrooms at 888 Broadway, Attendees enjoyed cocktails, appetizers, a silent auction and a presentation by Dr. Patil. The silent auction included jewelry, fashion items, a Botox consultation and treatment, Morgan Hotel Group rooms and the opportunity to bid on a meeting and photo with former President William Jefferson Clinton.
Taubman Research
Dr. Max Wicha: Some treatments actually increase cancer stem cells
Avastin and Sutent have been found to increase the growth of breast cancer stem cells in mice, according to Taubman Scholar Dr. Max Wicha, director of the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center.
