Lasting Legacies – Fighting cancer

Female faculty at the College of Medicine have been at the forefront of cancer research since the institution’s beginning.

Harriet Isom, PhD

Harriet Isom, PhD

Isom studied cell regulation, control of neoplasia, the function of liver cells and causes of liver diseases. In 1981, she received a research career development award from the National Institutes of Health.

Mary Judith Tevethia, PhD

Mary Judith Tevethia, PhD

Tevethia studied the relationship between viruses and cancer.

Mary Simmonds, MD

Mary Simmonds, MD

Simmonds researched lymphocyte surface markers when they were newly discovered.

Jill Smith, MD, PhD

Jill Smith, MD, PhD

Smith investigated new treatments for pancreatic cancer.

Chandrika Gowda, MD and Shirley Bluethmann, PhD, MPH

Today, researchers like Gowda and Bluethmann, continue the fight against cancer. Bluethmann seeks to improve healthy behaviors, including physical activity, in older cancer survivors, while Gowda focuses on developing targeted therapies which are less toxic and can improve outcomes in children with relapsed leukemia.

Chandrika Gowda, MD

Shirley Bluethmann, PhD, MPH

If you're having trouble accessing this content, or would like it in another format, please email the Penn State College of Medicine web department.