Kansas City, Mo. (April 26, 2007) – Ali Shilatifard, Ph.D., Investigator, was recognized at the 2007 Outstanding St. Louis Science Awards Ceremony this week in St. Louis. Dr. Shilatifard received the Innovation Award, which recognizes a scientist or engineer under age 40 who has demonstrated unusual potential for future accomplishments in a branch of science or engineering based on exceptional initial contributions.

     Prior to joining the Stowers Institute this year, Dr. Shilatifard spent ten years in St. Louis as Professor of Biochemistry at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and Associate Director for Basic Sciences at the Saint Louis University Cancer Center.

     The Academy of Science – St. Louis honored Dr. Shilatifard for his work on the role of mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) in cancer – work that revealed targets for new approaches to chemotherapy for human cancers.

     “Dr. Shilatifard’s work is generating excitement within the international community of cancer researchers,” said William Neaves, President and CEO of the Stowers Institute. “He approaches scientific problems with enthusiasm and creativity that represent innovation at its best. Recognition of his work by the Academy of Science – St. Louis is an honor not only for Dr. Shilatifard, but for the Stowers Institute as well.”

About the Stowers Institute
     Housed in a 600,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility on a 10-acre campus in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri, the Stowers Institute for Medical Research conducts basic research on fundamental processes of cellular life. Through its commitment to collaborative research and the use of cutting-edge technology, the Institute seeks more effective means of preventing and curing disease. The Institute was founded by Jim and Virginia Stowers, two cancer survivors who have created combined endowments of $2 billion in support of basic research of the highest quality.