18 Jul Dr. Pradeep Chaluvally-Raghavan Recognized with Endowed Chair for Advancements in Cancer Research
Pradeep Chaluvally-Raghavan, PhD has been named the inaugural holder of the Linda G. and Herbert J. Buchsbaum, MD, Chair in Gynecologic Oncology for his significant contributions to advancing cancer research. This endowed chair, a joint position in the MCW Cancer Center and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, will enable Dr. Chaluvally-Raghavan to accelerate his research and further our understanding of cancer.
“I am indebted to the Buchsbaum family,” says Dr. Chaluvally-Raghavan. “I see this as a token of trust in our research that the institute and community granted towards the goal of delivering high-quality research that will impact both basic science and translational research.”
Dr. Chaluvally-Raghavan is an internationally recognized leader in cancer research, with a focus on RNA-binding proteins-induced oncogenic changes in breast and ovarian cancer. He joined MCW in 2016 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and became an Associate Professor in 2020.
Federally funded through the Department of Defense and National Cancer Institute, Dr. Chaluvally-Raghavan is a recognized senior author on several high-impact publications and was recently named an Associate Editor of the Nature Portfolio Journals (npj) Precision Oncology, an international, peer-reviewed journal.
The chair was endowed by the Linda G. Buchsbaum Trust. Herbert J. Buchsbaum was the McMahon Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at MCW, from 1988-89 until his death. His wife Linda practiced as a marriage and family psychotherapist and was on the faculty at MCW until her death in 2020.
What does this endowment mean for you and your research?
I am indebted to the Buchsbaum family for their generous contributions to cancer research. I see this endowment as a token of trust in our research that the institute and community granted towards the goal of delivering high-quality research in both basic science and translational research.
What got you into this field?
I always wanted to do research that would impact patients’ lives and advance cancer discoveries. I entered science with a passion and dream of thinking big and high, but I had not planned to be a breast and ovarian cancer researcher in the beginning. I will forever be indebted to my mentors and colleagues for training me and motivating me to stay focused on women’s cancer research.
What’s next for your work?
We don’t know enough to cure cancer yet. However, we live in an era where we can decode enormous amounts of genomic, epigenomic, and proteomic data. Using that information and insights from projects on RNA binding proteins and RNA interference approaches, we are close to a stage where we can use that knowledge for patient care.
How do you envision scientists making significant contributions to the field of precision oncology in the next 2-3 years?
We are moving towards a world where we will have complete visibility and understanding of the genetic alterations resident in cancer cells. This will revolutionize our understanding of cancer in each patient and enable us to make a difference in cancer therapy.
You were also named an associate editor of npj Precision Oncology. Any specific topics you will be looking for from journal submissions?
I will be excited to see manuscripts submitted about targeted therapy and its combination with immunotherapy in all aspects, including mechanistic studies, preclinical models, and clinical trials using the latest technologies.
Any advice for researchers looking to increase their number of accepted publications – in any journal?
• Focus on clarity and simplicity, especially in the title and abstract.
• Pay attention to journal scope and who is on the editorial board to make sure your paper is a good fit.
• Adhere to editorial policy to ensure your manuscript is processed quickly and smoothly.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I want to say with humility that all scientists must remember that we are dependent on the intellectual input of our colleagues and trainees, and we should be open for learning. The team science approach is so essential, and it will accelerate our research much more than what we do individually.