Since 2008, the support of the IDP Foundation, Inc. has played a vital role in advancing some of the most promising research at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. The IDP Foundation Research Scientists fund remains paramount to the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center’s growth as a premier cancer care, education, outreach, and research institution.
Known as IDP Foundation Research Scientists, Drs. Pedram Gerami, David Bentrem, Surendra Basti, Jonathan Cotliar, and Barbara Jung are representative of the more than 250 physician-scientists who comprise the Lurie Cancer Center. These investigators are dedicated both to advancing medical knowledge through pioneering research, and providing compassionate, state-of-the-art cancer care. Additionally, two IDP Foundation Research Scientists have 32 publications on record.
Additionally, our Foundation has played a critical role in advancing the work of D. James Surmeier, PhD, Chair of the Department of Physiology at the Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Surmeier’s work in Parkinson’s has led to one current clinical trial but he has also developed a new family of compounds that could slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Basti, Department of Ophthalmology
“The IDP Foundation is helping me to study what measures can help prevent or control eye problems in patients receiving chemotherapeutic agents or stem cell transplants for their cancers.”
Dr. Bentrem, Department of Surgery
“My GI (gastrointestinal) oncology projects examine the role of the tumor microenvironment in pancreas and colon cancer. With the support of the IDP Foundation, I am investigating the role of inflammation and the cross talk between inflammatory cells (mast cells and regulatory T cells) and cancer cells.”
Dr. Cotliar, Department of Dermatology
“The IDP Foundation is allowing me to continue my research focused on the cutaneous
complications of stem cell transplantation.”
Dr. Gerami, Department of Dermatology
“The IDP Foundation has given me the support and opportunity to further develop novel molecular techniques for diagnosis of complex melanocytic neoplasms and melanoma so that patients can get the most accurate and appropriate diagnosis and treatment.”
Dr. Barbara Jung
“The IDP Foundation is giving me the opportunity to study colon cancer risk stratification of colon cancer, novel treatment targets and mechanisms of colon cancer cell growth and metastasis.”
Dr. Surmeier, Department of Physiology
The research in our lab revolves around a wide variety of psychomotor disorders including Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, Huntington’s disease, schizophrenia and Tourette’s syndrome.
James Surmeier, PhD, has been awarded a prestigious Blueprint for Neuroscience Research grant by the NIH
