Davison Rowley receives honors for cancer research

Janet Davison Rowley

Janet Davison Rowley, the Blum-Riese Distinguished Service Professor in Medicine and Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology, will receive the 2003 Benjamin Franklin Medal for Distinguished Achievement from the American Philosophical Society, as well as the sixth Women in Cancer Research Charlotte Friend Memorial Award from the American Association for Cancer Research.

Created in 1906 by the U.S. Congress, the Franklin Medal is the Society’s highest honor for distinguished achievement in the sciences and in public service. Rowley was selected “in recognition of her discovery of chromosomal translocations associated with cancer” and for “her exemplary leadership and mentorship in the world of biomedical sciences.”

The American Association for Cancer Research established the Friend award in 1998 to honor Charlotte Friend, the virologist who discovered the Friend virus. The award acknowledges an outstanding scientist who has made meritorious contributions to cancer research and furthered the advancement of women in science.

The association lauded Rowley “for her contributions both as a basic and translational scientist, and as a mentor for women scientists.” The award citation noted, “Dr. Rowley has revolutionized our thinking about chromosomes and cancer by examining translocations in different types of leukemia.”

Rowley has received many high honors, including Villanova University’s 2003 Mendel Medal; the National Medal of Science in 1998, considered the nation’s highest scientific honor; and the Lasker Award in 1998, which is referred to as “America’s Nobel.”