San Gabriel Valley Molecular Oncology Professor Joins California Institute of Regenerative Medicine

DUARTE, CA — A City of Hope Molecular Oncology Professor was appointed to governing board of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, it was announced on Thursday.

Molecular oncology professor Linda Malkas, deputy director of basic research for City of Hope, was appointed to the governing board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the state's stem cell agency.

California Treasurer John Chiang made the appointment, saying Malkas "has had a stellar career in both research and administration, promoting and advancing research in women's health with a particular focus on breast cancer."

Malkas' research expertise is in the areas of human cell DNA replication/repair, and in biomarker and therapeutic target discovery and development.

Chiang noted that Malkas "discovered a molecule that can inhibit certain activities in cancerous cells and hopes to move that into clinical trials in the near future."

She was the founding director of the Indiana Center for Breast Cancer Research; served for five years on a National Cancer Institute subcommittee reviewing cancer center designations; and recently took on an advisory role on drug approval policy with the Food and Drug Administration, Chiang said.

Malkas said she is honored to serve on CIRM's board.

"The research and technologies developed through this agency have benefited the health of not only Californians, but the nation and world itself," she said. "I am excited to see what the future holds for the work of this agency."

In addition to her leadership role at City of Hope, Malkas is a professor of molecular and cellular biology at Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope and joint head of the Molecular Oncology Program.

City News Service