American Association for Cancer Research Recognizes Dr. Mary-Claire King With 2014 Distinguished Lectureship in Breast Cancer Research

Mary-Claire King, PhD, the American Cancer Society professor in the Departments of Medicine (Medical Genetics) and Genome Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, is being honored with the Seventh Annual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Distinguished Lectureship in Breast Cancer Research, at the 2014 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 9–13.

King is being recognized for her many outstanding research accomplishments, including the discovery of the BRCA1 locus’ association with hereditary breast cancer. Her work has focused on understanding the inherited genetic factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, and the molecular mechanisms of action of BRCA1, BRCA2, and other genes associated with an increased risk for developing cancer. 

She will present her lecture, “Genomic Analysis of Inherited Breast and Ovarian Cancer,” Friday, Dec. 12, 11:30 a.m. CT, in Hall D of the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center.

The AACR Distinguished Lectureship in Breast Cancer Research has been established to recognize outstanding science that has inspired or has the potential to inspire new perspectives on the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of breast cancer.

King’s breast cancer research encouraged the study of other complex diseases to examine if there could be an underlying inherited component in some families. Her other medical research interests include genetic analysis of inherited deafness, identifying genetic causes of schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses, and understanding the genetics of systemic lupus erythematosus. King is also interested in human genetic diversity and evolution, and in the application of her genetic skills to human rights problems.

King has received many honors and awards for her seminal contributions to genetics research, as well as her humanitarian efforts. She is an elected fellow of the AACR Academy, the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. King’s awards include the Lasker~Koshland Special Achievement Award in Medical Science, the Gruber Genetics Prize from the Peter and Patricia Gruber Foundation, the AACR G.H.A. Clowes Award for Basic Research, the Jill Rose Award from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and the Brinker Award from Susan G. Komen. King was also named honorary chair for the state of Washington at the 50th anniversary of the United Nations.