Written by Gabriella Genao/ Contributing writer
A professor from the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine was recognized by a national program that commemorates minorities for his work in cancer research.
One of five recipients, Dr. Miguel Villalona-Calero, was named a Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences Lifetime Achievement Honoree for his focus on translating laboratory research to clinical trials in cancer patients.
“One of the fellowships that I did, focused on the development of new anti-cancer agents at the University of Texas, and after that I concentrated on finding new therapies, applying new therapies in developmental patients—what we call translational research,” Villalona-Calero said.
Translational research aims to apply laboratory data to human medical practice. This area of expertise is significant to the field of oncology, according to Villalona-Calero, because there are hundreds of different diseases that affect cancer.
Specialization, such as pulmonology, cardiology and hematology is becoming more frequent within cancer study, he said, because it aids in finding recent discoveries encompassing the extensity of cancer treatment and diseases.
“The scope of what I do, in terms of research, touches all types of cancers,” Villalona-Calero said.
Villalona-Calero believes his research stood out because of his ability to simultaneously produce lab research while applying it to real cancer patients. This ability, he said, is uncommon because of the “big divide” that exists between doctors and philosophers.
“During my time in San Antonio, there were the people who were in the lab researching cells and animals, versus the people who were treating patients— they don’t communicate. They have different languages, and what might happen in one field does not connect to the other. That produces delays,” Villalona-Calero said. “We need the individuals who are prepared in both fields, and that is what I applied for with my first grant, which was supported by the CURE Program.”
While there are others conducting translational research like him, Villalona-Calero thinks there is a demand for more individuals to aid and specialize in the area. This demand, he said, will help find cures faster, as an increasing number of people suffer from various and undiscovered forms of cancer.
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