Rebecca Oberley-Deegan, Ph.D., an assistant professor in biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, received the Harold M. Maurer, M.D. & Beverly Maurer Scientific Achievement Award at the 15th annual tribute spring luncheon sponsored by the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures (NCLC).
The award is named after Dr. Maurer, who served as UNMC chancellor from 1999-2014, and his wife, Beverly. Both the Maurers have bene passionate supporters of research.
Dr. Oberley-Deegan, who joined the UNMC faculty in 2014, was recognized for her research aimed at finding ways to protect normal tissues in the body from radiation damage when treating prostate cancer or cancer of the anus.
Some of the side effects of radiation include skin irritation, immune deprivation, susceptibility to infection, weight loss due to nausea, and damage to organs.
"As more people are surviving cancer therapy, the quality of life for these cancer survivors is often reduced due to radiation damage of normal tissues," she said. "Currently, there is nothing given to patients while undergoing radiation therapy to protect normal tissues. We are trying to address this problem with our research."
Dr. Oberley-Deegan's research group is focused on trying to inhibit radiation-induced free radicals, which are linked to tumor survival and metastasis. They are trying to determine the mechanisms by which antioxidants can protect normal tissues from radiation, while simultaneously making the tumor vulnerable to radiation damage.
Dr. Oberley-Deegan earned her undergraduate degree from Grinnell College and her doctorate degree from the University of Iowa. She did her postdoctoral training at National Jewish Hospital in Denver. In 2016, Dr. Oberley-Deegan received a New Investigator Award from UNMC.
Each year at the Tribute Spring Luncheon, the NCLC honors individuals from Nebraska who have made a difference in the world through their passionate support of medical research.
This year, the coalition recognized Mary Ann "Andy" Holland, a longtime research supporter, with its Lifesaver Award.
In 2007, Holland became a research advocate when NCLC was formed by her father, the late Richard Holland.
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