ISSUED: 21 March 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Shepherd University President Mary J.C. Hendrix, a leading cancer research scientist, will discuss her work in a lecture titled “Targeting Aggressive Tumor Cells Using Stem Cell Technology” on Thursday, March 30, at 6:30 p.m. in the Erma Ora Byrd Hall auditorium. The event, which is part of Shepherd’s upcoming Relay for Life, is free and open to the public.
Hendrix’s work focuses on identifying genes that contribute to cancer metastasis with a goal of discovering new therapeutic strategies. Hendrix holds seven patents in the field. Her research over the past two decades looking at how highly aggressive tumors metastasize, or spread, throughout the body was featured in an article in the June 16, 2016, issue of the journal “Science.” The research holds promise as a way to curb the spread of metastatic melanoma and breast cancer that are resistant to current therapies, based on knowledge gained from stem cell technology.
Relay for Life of Shepherd University will take place from Friday, April 7, at 4 p.m. until Saturday, April 8, at 4 a.m. at the Wellness Center. For more information about Relay For Life, visit www.shepherd.edu/relayforlife or call 304-876-5402. This year the theme for the event is based around Dr. Seuss—Cancer Not Here, Not There, Not Anywhere. All are welcome to join for a fun night of fundraisers, games, dancing, singing, and more to benefit the American Cancer Society.
For more information about Hendrix’s lecture, contact Holly Frye, director of community and congressional relations, at hfrye@shepherd.edu.
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