PHILADELPHIA (October 19, 2023) — The African-Caribbean Cancer Consortium (AC3), which was formed in 2006 to further the study of viral, genetic, environmental, and lifestyle risk factors for cancer in populations of African descent, held its 8th annual conference recently in Mombasa, Kenya. Several researchers were recognized for their work and dedication to the AC3’s mission.
“This conference is not only an opportunity to help educate the international community about risk factors for cancer in underserved populations, but to encourage collaboration and recognize the outstanding work being done by our members,” said Camille Ragin, PhD, MPH, Associate Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and a Professor in the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Ragin is also the founder of the AC3, which includes researchers from the United States, Africa, and the Caribbean.
She presented two members with the Herma Glasgow Award, which is named after Ragin’s aunt, who died of breast cancer. The award honors recipients for their contributions to the establishment and expansion of the consortium. The following members were honored:
- Samuel Gathere, MD, MMED, a Senior Clinical Research Scientist and otorhinolaryngologist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute. His research interests include head and neck cancer epidemiology and cancer prevention and control. He has played a number of roles in the AC3 since joining the organization 2012.
- Maria Jackson, PhD, formerly a Professor of Nutritional Epidemiology in the Department of Community Health and Psychiatry at the University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica.
Additionally, two researchers were awarded the Professor J. Robert Beck Distinguished Scholar Award. This award recognizes Beck, Professor Emeritus and H.O. West and J.R. Wike Chair in Cancer Research, for his academic achievements, tenacity, and collaboration. He has been a member of the AC3 since 2011.
The award reimburses meeting registration and/or travel costs incurred in attending the AC3 Scientific and Training Conference. Nominees also deliver a lecture during the conference. The following researchers were honored:
- Janielle Maynard, PhD: Maynard is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology and Oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She investigates immunobiological factors that contribute to cancer health disparities in racial and ethnic minorities and underserved populations. She has been a member of AC3 since 2020 and served on this year’s organizing committee.
- Andrew Gachii, MBchB, PhD (candidate): Gachii is currently Medical Director of the Nairobi West Hospital Ltd., a 400-bed hospital based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is also a practicing pathologist, a lecturer in the Department of Pathology at the Aga Khan University, and an honorary lecturer at the University of Nairobi Medical School, Department of Human Pathology. Gachii has been a member of the AC3 since 2015.
Additionally, one researcher was presented with the Jonice A. Louden Young Investigator Award, which also funds reimbursement for meeting registration and travel costs incurred in attending the AC3 Scientific and Training Conference. Funding for this award is made possible by Delroy Louden, PhD, and the Louden family of Clarendon, Jamaica.
Louden completed his postdoctoral training in epidemiology at John Hopkins University and has held academic appointments in Nigeria, Canada, England, and Jamaica. He currently serves as chair of the Research and Ethics Committee for AC3.
The recipient of the award is:
- Aviane Auguste, PhD, MPH: Auguste is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Gustave Roussy, the leading cancer hospital and research institute in Europe. His research involves chronic and noncommunicable disease epidemiology, with a focus on cancer prevention in low- and middle-income countries. He has been a member of AC3 since 2017 and is a Co-Leader of the Head and Neck Working Group.