Bro. Jelani C. Zarif named among inaugural cohort of White House Cancer Moonshot scholars
Bro. Jelani C. Zarif, [Kappa Delta Lambda, '08] was recently announced as one of 11 inaugural researchers in the National Cancer Institute's 'Cancer Moonshot' scholars. The cohort, presented today by the White House, will receive $5.4 million in federal funding to support innovative approaches to cancer research, prevention, and treatment - specifically in underrepresented communities throughout the United States.
According to the White House, the Cancer Moonshot Scholars program is designed to support early-career scientists, researchers, and innovators from diverse backgrounds, including from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social sciences research workforce. The Biden-Harris Administration intends to fund up to 30 additional Cancer Moonshot Scholars by 2025.
“We are at our best when we capitalize on the diversity of the nation’s skills, talents, and viewpoints to solve the complex problems in cancer research, and the Cancer Moonshot Scholars program is a critical step in that direction of equity,” said NCI Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities Director Dr. Sanya A. Springfield.
Bro. Zarif is the Robert E. Meyerhoff Endowed Professor and Assistant Professor of Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine's Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and is also a member of the Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. The Zarif laboratory studies molecular mechanisms by immune cells within the tumor microenvironment that ultimately promote tumor growth, therapeutic resistance, and metastasis. The Zarif laboratory also focuses on discovering and investigating new biomarkers that may be expressed on myeloid cells that could predict clinical response to standard-of-care treatments for prostate cancer. He is also an adjunct professor at Morgan State University in Baltimore City.
A Chicago native, Dr. Zarif obtained both his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Jackson State University and then earned his Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Michigan State University. He then completed two post-doctoral fellowships at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He has been the recipient of several research awards, including the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s Young Investigator award, The Patrick C. Walsh Prostate Cancer Research Fund, the Department of Defense Translational Research award, and the NCI K22 Career Transition award.
Bro. Anton Bizzell Named MAAC Alumni Brother of the Year
Bro. Anton Bizzell, [Iota Beta, '90] was recently honored as 'Alumni Brother of the Year' by the Mid-Atlantic Association of Alpha Phi Alpha Chapters (MAAC). A decorated physician, entrepreneur, and humanitarian, Bro. Bizzell is a life member of the fraternity and past president of the Delta Lambda Chapter.
"I am both humbled and grateful for the outpouring of support from brothers, and I am truly touched beyond words," Bizzell said. "I am grateful to have the trust and recognition of such a venerable group of trailblazing men who each day live out our mission of developing leaders, promoting brotherhood and academic excellence while providing service and advocacy for our communities."
Fraternally, Bro. Bizzell led the chapter into its centennial celebration year, spearheading record-breaking fundraising and grant-making and support for critical initiatives in youth development, voter engagement, and outreach to communities in the chapter's immediate geographic footprint. He has chaired chapter and regional participation in March of Dimes programs and served as a chief liaison for legislative engagement between the chapter and elected officials in the state.
Bro. Bizzell is the CEO of the Bizzell Group, an international firm specializing in strategy, consulting, and technology solutions supporting healthy, secure, and sustainable communities. In 2020, he was named the 'Small Business Person of the Year' representing the state of Maryland by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Bro. Jelani C. Zarif awarded prestigious Johns Hopkins endowed professorship
Bro. Jelani C. Zarif, a 2008 initiate of the Kappa Delta Lambda chapter in Lansing, MI, was appointed last month as a Robert E. Meyerhoff endowed professor in the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
The five-year professorship supports two junior faculty members who have demonstrated sustained scientific excellence and are committed to enhancing opportunities for underrepresented groups in the field.
Dr. Zarif is an Assistant Professor of Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine’s Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and a member of the Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. The Zarif laboratory studies molecular mechanisms by immune cells within the tumor microenvironment that ultimately promote tumor growth, therapeutic resistance, and metastasis. The Zarif laboratory also focuses on discovering and investigating new biomarkers that may be expressed on myeloid cells known as macrophages that could predict clinical response to standard-of-care treatments for prostate cancer.
A Chicago native, Dr. Zarif obtained both his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Jackson State University and then earned his Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Michigan State University. He then completed two post-doctoral fellowships at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He has been the recipient of several research awards, including the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s Young Investigator award, The Patrick C. Walsh Prostate Cancer Research Fund, the Department of Defense Translational Research award, and the NCI K22 Career Transition award.