Nora Disis receives 'superhero' grant

Dr. Mary "Nora" Disis, an expert on cancer immunology, has received a grant and recognition as a "superhero" from the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation.

Disis holds a joint appointment in the Center's Clinical Research Division. She is also a professor of medicine in the University of Washington's Division of Oncology and director of the UW Center for Translational Medicine in Women's Health. The $300,000 grant from the Chicago-based nonprofit will help Disis develop a multi-antigen vaccine for breast cancer.

A recipient of previous grants from the foundation, Disis focuses her research efforts on earlier detection, more effective treatments and the elimination of cancer recurrence. She is greatly interested in translational research, in which she works together with scientists, physicians, patients and organizations to bring the latest research breakthroughs from the laboratory bench to the patient bedside.

Disis, who is also a Seattle Cancer Care Alliance physician, has spent more than a decade investigating cancer immunology and spearheading the development of new cancer vaccines.

The Cancer Treatment Research Foundation works to cure cancer by funding clinical studies that deliver innovative treatment options to cancer patients.