For Immediate Release   

May 5, 2010

Contact: Ryan Hohman – 202.944.6708 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Former NCI Deputy Director Dr. Anna Barker and Attorney and Advocate Catherine Stevens Join Friends Board of Directors

Washington, DC- Friends of Cancer Research (Friends), a Washington, DC-based think tank and advocacy organization, announced the appointment of Dr. Anna D. Barker and Catherine A. Stevens to its Board of Directors.

 
"Anna and Catherine have worked tirelessly to advance and support biomedical research in the United States," said Dr. Ellen Sigal, Chair and Founder of Friends of Cancer Research. "Their diversity of knowledge and leadership will be invaluable additions to the organization. We are truly honored to have them join our board of directors."
 
Dr. Anna Barker served as the Deputy Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and as the Deputy Director for Strategic Scientific Initiatives for the past eight years - retiring at the end of August, 2010.  In this role she developed and implemented multi/trans-disciplinary programs in strategic areas of cancer research and advanced technologies including: the Nanotechnology Alliance for Cancer; The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) - in collaboration with the National Human Genome Research Institute; and the Clinical Proteomics Technologies Initiative for Cancer. For a full bio of Dr. Barker Click Here  

Catherine Ann Stevens is a partner with the law firm of Mayer Brown LLP in Washington, D.C.  Previously, she has served as General Counsel for the National Endowment for the Arts; Executive Director of Terra Foundation for the Arts with responsibility for museums in Chicago and Giverny, France; and General Counsel for Occidental International Corporation in Washington, D.C.  She was the State District Attorney in Fairbanks, Alaska and in private practice in Fairbanks and Anchorage.  She and her late husband, Senator Ted Stevens, have supported and worked closely with many national and international medical research institutions and Alaska Native foundations and communities to improve health and education and preserve their cultural heritage. For a full bio of Catherine Stevens Click Here.  

Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) is a cancer research think tank and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC. Friends is a leader in developing partnerships and advocating for policies that will get treatments and therapies to patients in the safest and quickest way possible. Working with federal health agencies, congressional leadership, academic research centers and private sector industry, Friends continues to create innovative educational, policy, and scientific approaches to improve health outcomes and cancer care.