Insight

Dec 16, 2024, 14:15

Miriam Ratliff is the recipient of the AACR-Novocure Cancer Research Grants 2024

Miriam Ratliff is one of the recipients of the 2024 AACR-Novocure Cancer Research Grants. She has been awarded this grant for her innovative research focused on Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields).

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) use low-energy electrical fields to disrupt the growth and division of cancer cells while sparing most healthy cells. Delivered through a portable device with skin-placed electrodes near the tumor, the treatment requires wearing the device for about 18 hours daily. The lightweight device allows users to maintain most of their daily activities.

The AACR-Novocure Cancer Research Grants are a collaborative initiative designed to support independent researchers conducting innovative studies on Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), which are intermediate frequency, low-intensity alternating electric fields that disrupt cancer cell division.

These grants aim to deepen understanding of the mechanisms behind this novel cancer treatment and to encourage new investigators to explore the TTFields research area. The Inovitro® system, provided by Novocure if necessary, must be incorporated into the research design.

Each grant offers $350,000 over three years to cover various research-related expenses.

It includes the salary and benefits of the primary investigator, collaborators, postdoctoral or clinical fellows, graduate students, and research assistants; laboratory supplies; equipment; travel; manuscript publication fees; other research costs; and indirect expenses.

Miriam Ratliff

Dr. Miriam Ratliff is a consultant in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University Medical Centre Mannheim, part of Heidelberg University’s Medical Faculty. She has a strong academic background, having studied Medicine at the University of Ulm and Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, and earned a degree in Neurobiology (Dipl.-Biol.) from the University of Ulm. She completed her medical doctorate (Dr. med.) in Anatomy at Heidelberg University in 2006.

Dr. Ratliff has a rich career in both clinical practice and research. She completed her residency in neurosurgery at Heidelberg University (2009-2016) and worked as a postdoctoral research fellow in neurooncology at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, focusing on molecular genetics and neurooncological diseases. She is currently a consultant in neurosurgery at University Medical Centre Mannheim, where she also coordinates student education.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Ratliff is undergoing training in palliative care medicine and is a certified psycho-oncologist. She holds several key roles in her department, including overseeing sanitation and hygiene, transfusion medicine, and quality management. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC) and the German Cancer Society (DKG).

AACR:

“We congratulate Dr. Miriam Ratliff, one of the 2024 recipients of the AACR-Novocure Cancer Research Grants. We look forward to her findings on TTFields’ effects on glioma networks using integrated multi-omics and advanced imaging techniques.”