El Paso Cancer Researchers Receive $4.2 Million

The institution received the funding thanks to scientists Navkiran Shokar, M.D., M.P.H., and Zeina Nahleh, M.D.

The institution received the funding thanks to scientists Navkiran Shokar, M.D., M.P.H., and Zeina Nahleh, M.D.

The Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) recently presented a $4.2 million check to the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine to fund cancer projects in El Paso.

“Competition is fierce for CPRIT funding. Our faculty members have demonstrated their research programs can compete effectively at the state and national level,” said President Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D. “We congratulate them on being recognized for their dedication to combating this disease.”

Over the next three years, $2.7 million will fund the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine project Against Colorectal Cancer in our Neighborhoods (ACCION), which will help reduce the burden of colorectal cancer in the El Paso community. Another $1.5 million will help establish a Cancer Clinical Core Facility through the State of the Art Cancer Care at Home project.

Paul L. Foster School of Medicine Founding Dean and Vice President for Health Affairs Jose Manuel de la Rosa, M.D., said the institution is proud to receive this award thanks to two star scientists, Navkiran Shokar, M.D., M.P.H., and Zeina Nahleh, M.D., who have dedicated themselves to cancer research and prevention.

“These projects are so important to providing the most vulnerable members of our society with life-saving treatments and early detection,” de la Rosa said.

Chancellor Kent Hance added, “We are extremely grateful to CPRIT for these grants that will allow our researchers to continue their fight against cancer. To more than double our amount of state cancer research funding in a year is remarkable."

Texas voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment in 2007 establishing CPRIT and authorizing the state to issue $3 billion in bonds to fund groundbreaking cancer research, prevention programs and services in Texas.

Related

TTUHSC Awarded Nearly $6 Million in Research Funds

El Paso Takes ACCION Against Colorectal Cancer

Breast Care for the Cure

Related Stories

Molecular Pathology Preceptorship: Unmatched Value and Experience

Ericka Hendrix, PhD, MB(ASCP)CM, Program Director and Associate Professor in the Master of Science in Molecular Pathology program in the School of Health Professions spoke about the program’s preceptorship.

Moseley Named Permian Basin Regional Dean of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing

Kelly Moseley, DHSc, R.N., has been named the TTUHSC School of Nursing regional dean in the Permian Basin.

TTUHSC School of Nursing to Celebrate New YWCA Location

Community members in central Lubbock now have access to health care services and prenatal programs at one location inside the YWCA.

Recent Stories

Education

Santos Named Department of Surgery Chair for TTUHSC School of Medicine in Lubbock

As the new Department of Surgery chair for the School of Medicine in Lubbock, Ariel Santos, M.D., M.P.H., seeks to elevate TTUHSC’s role as the Hub of Surgery for West Texas.

Health

Covenant Health Brings Kidney Transplant Surgery Back to West Texas

The Kidney Transplant Program at Covenant Medical Center will provide life-changing opportunities for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney conditions.

Education

U.S. News & World Report Ranks TTUHSC Schools Among Best for 2025 Graduate School Rankings

Several graduate programs at TTUHSC have been recognized in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate School Rankings, reaffirming the university’s continued excellence in health sciences education and training.