University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute Associate Professor of Oncologic Sciences Dr. Ming Tan recently received the Mayer Mitchell Annual Award for Excellence in Cancer Research at a reception at the USAMCI in Midtown Mobile.

Arlene Mitchell, USA trustee and philanthropist, established the award in memory of her late husband Mayer, a Mobile businessman, philanthropist and longtime USA trustee. This is the third year for the annual award.

The unrestricted award can be used for any research purpose, other than salary enhancement.

Tan, who holds both his medical doctor and Ph.D. degrees, is chief of the Cell Death and Metabolism Research Center at the USAMCI and also the Vincent F. Kilborn, Jr. Cancer Research Scholar. His research centers on metabolism and cancer and how cancer spreads throughout different areas of the body. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Health Science Center in 2000 before serving as a postdoctoral fellow there until 2006.  

From left at the reception: USAMCI Abraham Mitchell Chair and Director Dr. Michael Boyd; USAMCI Associate Director of Basic and Translational Sciences Dr. Laurie Owen; Dr. Tan; Mrs. Mitchell; and USA Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Dr. Joseph F. Busta, Jr.