Colorado State University Awards Prestigious Veterinary Oncology Chair to Expert on Cancer Biology

The director of research for the Animal Cancer Center, and an expert in the area of cancer biology, was awarded the Barbara Cox Anthony Chair in Oncology. The award to Dr. Robert Ullrich was recently announced by Dr. Stephen Withrow, director of the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University’s James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Dr. Ullrich is responsible for oversight and coordination of activities for the 12 research laboratories within the Animal Cancer Center. Research within these laboratories encompasses basic cancer biology as well as the development of new approaches for cancer diagnosis and treatment. He also continues to pursue his own research in the area of cancer biology.

"Dr. Ullrich brings new ideas, vision and leadership to this very important position," said Dr. Withrow. "His background in basic and molecular science and his ability to coordinate numerous researchers into a cohesive team will make maximum use of our talented staff and our strong clinical programs."

Ullrich came to Colorado State in 2001 as a professor in the Department of Radiological Health Sciences. He is also a member of the Cancer Genetics Program at the University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center. Prior to that, he held the positions of vice chairman and Vincent P. Collins Distinguished Professor in Radiation Oncology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas.

He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. After completing his doctorate in radiation biology at the University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., he accepted a position as a research associate in the Biology Division at the prestigious Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He continued his research at the laboratory, working as a senior scientist and becoming head of the Radiation Carcinogenesis Unit in 1977, a position he held until 1988 when he accepted the directorship of the Division of Research in the Department of Radiation Therapy at the UTMB in Galveston.

Ullrich has contributed to several prestigious professional organizations as a council, committee or board member. He also has served on numerous national and international advisory committees for the National Academy of Sciences National-Research Council, the National Cancer Institute, the Department of Energy, NASA and the International Commission for Radiological Protection.

The Barbara Cox Anthony Chair in Oncology was established in June, 2002 through a gift from The James M. Cox, Jr. Foundation of Atlanta, Ga. The chair provides a secure source of funding to attract and retain the best scientific minds and to increase applied research into the various causes, treatments and potential cures for cancer.