Rosemary S.L. Wong, PhD
Program Director, NCI, DCTD, RRP
Rosemary Wong received her BA degree from Chaminade College of Honolulu and her Ph.D. degree in Microbiology from the University of Colorado Health Science Center where her research focused on understanding the role that transfer RNA methylases play in the sporulation and differentiation of Neurospora crassa. A postdoctoral position at the Eleanor Roosevelt Cancer Institute in Denver enabled her to learn mammalian cell biology from Dr. Theodore Puck before embarking on her career as a Radiation Biologist at the Department of Radiation Biology at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colorado under Dr. William C. Dewey. In 1981, she moved to the UCSF Radiation Oncology Research Lab where her research interests included understanding the mechanisms of mammalian cell killing by hyperthermia alone or combined with radiation for cancer therapy, in particular its effects on the DNA replication process and the effects of environmental carcinogens on increased risk of myeloid leukemia development in a mouse model. Through her interactions with the UCSF clinicians, Dr. Wong learned all aspects of clinical research, which has been invaluable in her program director role at NCI.
Rosemary came to the RRP at NCI in 1999 and was instrumental in helping initiate in 2001 the Radiation Modifier Evaluation Module (RAMEM) Program of the Molecular Radiation Therapeutics Branch at Ft. Detrick whereby new chemotherapeutic drugs, biologics and molecular targeted drugs are evaluated for their potential use as sensitizers or protectors when combined with radiation for cancer therapeutic application.
In September 2002, she became the Program Director for the newly awarded Cancer Disparities Research Partnerships (CDRP) U56 cooperative agreement grants. NCI resources are provided to the grantees to plan, develop and conduct radiation oncology clinical research trials in community-based hospitals/institutions throughout the country that care for a disproportionate number of medically underserved, low income, ethnic and minority populations. These grants also support mentoring partnerships between these institutions new to radiation oncology clinical trials research and experienced institutions actively involved in NCI-sponsored cancer research in an attempt to address the cancer health disparities found in minority/underserved populations.
Her current grant portfolio includes the latest research in the areas on the use of gene therapy, photodynamic therapy and hyperthermia treatment combined with radiation to improve cancer therapy. Additionally, a high priority is working with the CDRP grantees to help address access to care and accrual to clinical trials barriers as a way to eliminate cancer health disparities.
Contact information:
240-276-5707
wongr@mail.nih.gov