Margaret Tempero, M.D., and Barry Gold, Ph.D., have been named interim directors of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center and the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer & Allied Diseases, respectively.
The two will temporarily replace Raymond W. Ruddon, M.D., Ph.D., who accepted a position with Johnson & Johnson Corp. in New Brunswick, N.J.
In addition, a search committee has been appointed by William O. Berndt, Ph.D., chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The committee will be conducting a national search to name Dr. Ruddon’s successor.
“I am completely confident that the cancer center and the Eppley Institute will continue to move ahead during this period of transition,” Dr. Berndt said. “Both Drs. Tempero and Gold are extremely well-qualified to assure that these units will continue to make progress.”
Dr. Ruddon will step down in August, leaving behind a sizeable legacy. Serving as director since 1989, Dr. Ruddon saw research grants received by the institute double. He also oversaw the creation of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center — with more than 100 members from the Eppley Institute, College of Medicine, College of Nursing and other units from throughout the University of Nebraska. In addition, Dr. Ruddon was instrumental in the construction of a four-story addition to the Eppley Science Hall that created more research space.
The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is one of 10 basic science cancer centers among the 55 -over- cancer centers funded by the National Cancer Institute, and is advancing toward distinction as a comprehensive cancer center — the highest designation awarded by the NCI.
Dr. Tempero has served as deputy director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center since 1995. She has played a key role in developing the strategy for translational research for the cancer center. Translational research moves discoveries back-and-forth between the laboratory and the patient.
Dr. Tempero received her medical degree from UNMC in 1977, and joined the Medical Center in 1983 as assistant professor of internal medicine. She was named associate professor in 1987 and professor in 1994. In 1992, Dr. Tempero was one of two UNMC physicians to be included on a list of the best cancer specialists in the nation by Good Housekeeping magazine.
Dr. Gold, a professor in the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer & Allied Diseases, has been at UNMC since 1973 when he joined the institute as a research associate. He was named assistant professor in 1977 and assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences in 1979. Dr. Gold was named associate professor with the institute in 1981 and professor in 1989. He received his doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1971. Prior to his being named interim director of the Eppley Institute, Dr. Gold was associate director of the institute and associate director for basic research in the cancer center.
The search committee will be headed by James O. Armitage, M.D., chairman of internal medicine. Dr. Armitage is an internationally acclaimed researcher and one of the country’s most distinguished physicians. He received his medical degree from UNMC in 1973.
“We will be trying to find an outstanding person to head the cancer center and the institute,” Dr. Armitage said.
In addition to Dr. Armitage, 13 others will be serving on the search committee. The committee members are:
- Jan Atwood, Ph.D., associate director for prevention and control, UNMC Eppley Cancer Center.
- Louis Burgher, M.D., Ph.D., president & CEO, Clarkson Hospital.
- Ercole Cavalieri, D.Sc., professor, Eppley Institute.
- Judith Christman, Ph.D., chair and professor, biochemistry & molecular biology.
- Samuel Cohen, M.D., Ph.D., chair and professor, pathology/microbiology.
- Michael Hollingsworth, M.D., associate professor, Eppley Institute.
- Michelle Kallesen, graduate student, Eppley Institute.
- Robert Krohn, CEO, PSI Group.
- Robert Lewis, Ph.D., assistant professor, Eppley Institute.
- Harold M. Maurer, M.D., dean, College of Medicine.
- James Shull, Ph.D., associate professor, Eppley Research Institute.
- Julie Vose, M.D., associate professor, internal medicine-oncology/hematology.
- Michael Yanney, president, America First Corp.