Arizona Cancer Center physician/scientist to receive faculty award

[Source: Donna Breckenridge, Arizona Cancer Center] -- Setsuko K. Chambers, MD, Bobbi Olson endowed chair in ovarian cancer research, director of women’s cancers for the Arizona Cancer Center, and professor and director of gynecologic oncology for The University of Arizona (UA), has been awarded the 2007 Senior Faculty Award from the UA Asian American Faculty, Staff and Alumni Association. She will be honored at the 18th Annual Scholarship and Awards Celebration on Saturday, October 27, 2007, at 7 p.m. at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center (1228 W. River Road).

“Dr. Chambers defines sustained excellence as exemplified by her numerous accomplishments at the Arizona Cancer Center and in her extensive career as a physician scientist,” says Wenxin Zheng, MD, FACP, professor of pathology and gynecology and director of molecular pathology for the UA, who nominated Dr. Chambers for the award. “I have no doubt that Dr. Chambers will continue to commit herself as an academic women’s physician and will continuously make outstanding contributions to women’s cancer in both clinical care and translational research,” adds Dr. Zheng.

The award acknowledges Asian American faculty members at The University of Arizona for meritorious achievements in promoting knowledge and scholarship within their discipline, in advancing the mission of excellence in teaching and/or in contributing service to the University and community. “Dr. Chambers is a true ‘triple treat’ – academic scholar, superb surgeon, and chemotherapist – while competing for grants at the highest level imaginable,” says Arizona Cancer Center Director David S. Alberts, MD. “She has done a wonderful job getting all of the other disciplines on the same page!”

Dr. Chambers came to the Arizona Cancer Center in 2004 from Yale University, where she was professor and director of the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program. Throughout her career, Dr. Chambers has served on many national and regional committees, grant review panels and study sections. She is an examiner for the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and has served a president of the New England Association of Gynecologic Oncologists. She has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and chapters.

Dr. Chambers serves in a leadership role as a member of the Center’s Director’s and Executive Committees, and as associate head for academic affairs and director of gynecologic oncology for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. As part of her surgical and clinical responsibilities, Dr. Chambers also teaches and mentors residents. “Dr. Chambers represents the ideals of teaching, research, and advising of all students, residents, and young faculty within the University system,” says Kenneth Hatch, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology for The University of Arizona College of Medicine.

Dr. Chambers’ research laboratory, which is funded by the National Cancer institute, is devoted to understanding the molecular basis for breast and ovarian cancer invasion and metastasis. Her current role is to develop a comprehensive program, encompassing both research and clinical practice, in the areas of breast and gynecologic cancers. In addition to establishing interdisciplinary collaborations within the Arizona Cancer Center, Dr. Chambers has coordinated productive collaborations among researchers at the UA, McGill University, the University of Illinois, and Yale University.