CLEVELAND -- Following a national search, Scot C. Remick, MD, Director of Developmental Therapeutics at the Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals of Cleveland and the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, has been named the first incumbent to the Dr. Lester E. Coleman, Jr. Chair in Cancer Research and Therapeutics. The Coleman chair was established in memory of Lester E. Coleman, PhD, former chairman and chief executive officer of the Lubrizol Corporation, who chose to participate in clinical trials in his battle against lung cancer.
Dr. Remick, who is also Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, is a pre-eminent cancer researcher working at the cutting edge of drug development for difficult to treat cancers and AIDS malignancies. Dr. Remick’s research focuses on the clinical development of new cancer treatments, such as angiogenesis inhibitors. In addition, he is leading an emerging international collaboration with investigators in Africa in AIDS related malignancies.
"Scot is internationally renowned for his innovative contributions that link patient-oriented research to basic science," says Stanton Gerson, MD, Director of the Ireland Cancer Center. "During his tenure, he has helped to establish the Ireland Cancer Center as one of the nation’s premier sites for testing new cancer therapeutics. He truly embodies the spirit of the Coleman chair, which is dedicated to discovery, research and evaluation of new treatments for cancer patients."
The $1.5 million Coleman chair was established in 2003 to help advance scientific discovery in the area of cancer research and therapeutics. The gift supports the Coleman chair holder’s salary and income from the endowment fund is allocated for research and clinical program support.
Scientific discovery was vital to Dr. Coleman and his leadership at Lubrizol reflected his enduring commitment to research and development. He began his career as a scientist and he rose through the executive ranks without forgetting about the crucial role that research played in his industry. After his diagnosis with advanced lung cancer at the age of 69, Dr. Coleman remained steadfast in his determination to help researchers until his death on Oct. 21, 2000.
"Les wanted to be part of something that might break new ground and help others in the future," his wife, Kathleen Coleman, says. "The clinical trial drugs definitely bought him some extra quality time that he would not have had with standard chemotherapy, and at the same time, Les took satisfaction from knowing that he helped his doctors expand their knowledge of new treatments."