Albert de la Chapelle, M.D., Ph.D.

The highest honor bestowed by The Ohio State University on its faculty was presented in 2004 to Dr. de la Chapelle, who initiated and built the University's Human Cancer Genetics Program after his arrival in 1997. A member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Dr. de la Chapelle is a professor in the OSU College of Medicine and Public Health's Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics. He holds the Leonard J. Immke, Jr. and Charlotte L. Immke Chair of Cancer Research. He also has won the two most prestigious awards in genetics: the Mauro Baschirotto Award from the European Society of Human Genetics, and the William Allan Award from the American Society of Human Genetics.

Dr. de la Chapelle's research focuses on the genetic predisposition to cancer. New genes responsible for colorectal cancer, thyroid cancer, and acute myeloid leukemia are sought. A particular target in acute myeloid leukemia aims at elucidating the molecular mechanisms in cases where the leukemic blast cells have clonal trisomy for chromosome 8. Mutations and polymorphisms in known genes predisposing to cancer are evaluated. Genetic testing in the management and counseling of cancer patients is investigated. A large study is conducted with the aim of determining what proportion of all colorectal and endometrial cancers are hereditary, in particular, due to HNPCC. A project focuses on cancer incidence and prevention in Ohio's Amish population.