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OCRA / For Patients / Support & Education / Ovarian Cancer National Conference / Awards & Research Prizes

Awards & Research Prizes

Each year, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance honors researchers, survivors, and advocates for their work on behalf of our cause. Learn more about our 2020 award recipients and how they’re impacting the ovarian cancer community.

Teal Champion Award

Jonathan Sockolosky in San Francisco
Jonathan Sockolosky with photo of his mother
Andrew Berger
Andrew Berger with his mother

The Teal Champion Award recognizes outstanding achievements by an organization and/or individual working to end ovarian cancer, while raising awareness of the disease and caring for the people affected by it.

Winners

  • 2021 – Andrew Berger and Jonathan Sockolosky
  • 2020 – Ovarian Cycle Atlanta
  • 2019 – Lori Newcomb, in memoriam, and Newk’s Cares
  • 2018 – The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati
  • 2017 – Frieda and Gary Weeks, Hope for Heather

Rosalind Franklin Excellence in Ovarian Cancer Research Prize

Kathleen Cho headshot
Kathleen Cho, MD

The Rosalind Franklin Excellence in Ovarian Cancer Research Award is named for the molecular biologist Dr. Rosalind Elsie Franklin, who played a vital role in discovering the structure of DNA. Her career was cut short in 1958 when she died of ovarian cancer at age 37. Throughout her life, she was a committed researcher; this award honors an individual who continues her legacy of excellence.

Winners

  • 2021 – Kathleen Cho, MD
  • 2020 – Ie-Ming Shih, MD, PhD
  • 2019 – Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, FRCOG, FACOG
  • 2018 – Robert Coleman, MD
  • 2017 – Ronny Drapkin, MD, PhD
  • 2016 – Jeff Boyd, PhD
  • 2015 – Beth Karlan, MD
  • 2014 – Anil Sood, MD
  • 2013 – Elizabeth Swisher, MD
  • 2012 – Ronnie Alvarez, MD
  • 2011 – Robert Allen Burger, MD
  • 2010 – George Coukos, MD, PhD
  • 2009 – Nicole Urban, ScD
  • 2008 – Robert Bast, MD
  • 2007 – Deborah Armstrong, MD
  • 2006 – Elise Kohn, MD
  • 2005 – Barbara Goff, MD

Ann and Sol Schreiber Research Prize for Outstanding Mentored Investigators

Dr. Marion Curtis
Marion Curtis, PhD

Winners

  • 2021: Marion Curtis, PhD
  • 2019 – Ryan M. Williams, PhD
  • 2017 – Juan Cubillos-Ruiz, PhD
  • 2016 – Anirban Mitra, PhD

Carolyn Pultz Brown Leadership Award

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

The Carolyn Pultz Brown Leadership Award is bestowed upon an outstanding community leader who has the capacity to influence others and has made a great impact on the ovarian cancer community. The award honors Carolyn Pultz Brown, the mother of our President Emerita Terri McKnight, who died of ovarian cancer in 2007.

Winners

  • 2020 – Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
  • 2019 – Lynn Fallows (in memoriam)
  • 2018 – The Honorable Barbara Comstock, (R-VA)
  • 2016 – The 2016 Advocate Leaders: Kerie Berkowitz, Dr. Jan Byrne, Leslie Cancelliere, Terri Colclough, Elise Daniel, Kimberly Emory, Rebecca Esparza, Jewel Figueras, Laura Forte, Sharon Geiselman, Kristen Hovorka, Tracy Keith, Jennifer Lane-Reifler, Susan Leighton, Kathleen Maxian, Sandra Morgen, Marcie Paul, Mary Pegg, Mary Phillips,
  • Janice Swierczek, Jill Tanner, Rakeisha Thomas and Frieda Weeks.
  • 2015 – Senator Dianne Feinstein
  • 2014 – Representative Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
  • 2013 – Linda Koteen
  • 2012 – Dennis Oziel and Robert Ferriday III
  • 2011 – Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
  • 2010 – Patricia C. Modrow, PhD
  • 2009 – Diane Paul
  • 2008 – Karen Mason
  • 2007 – The Entire Ovarian Cancer Community
  • 2006 – Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
  • 2005 – Grassroots Champion Sheryl Silver
  • 2004 – Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
  • 2003 – California State Representative Deborah Ortiz

Liz Tilberis Research Prize for Outstanding Early Career Investigators

Sarah Adams
Sarah Adams, MD

The Liz Tilberis Research Prize for Outstanding Early Career Investigators is awarded to an individual who can best demonstrate that he or she has used prior OCRA funding to impact the field of ovarian cancer research by obtaining independent extramural funding, and making important contributions to the literature.

Winners

  • 2020 – Sarah Adams, MD
  • 2018 – Selvendiran Karuppaiyah, PhD
  • 2016 – Rugang Zhang, PhD

Cindy Melancon Sprit Award

The Cindy Melancon Spirit Award commends and honors an individual for his or her commitment to the ovarian cancer community. The award is named after Cindy Melancon, a founder of the former Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and creator of the CONVERSATIONS! newsletter. The award has been given to many outstanding leaders in the ovarian cancer community throughout the years.

Winners

  • 2017 – Annie Ellis and Susan Leighton
  • 2016 – Robin Cohen
  • 2015 – Carey Fitzmaurice
  • 2014 – Helen Palmquist
  • 2013 – Kathleen Maxian
  • 2012 – Program Participants of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance’s Survivors Teaching Students: Saving Women’s Lives® Program
  • 2011 – Diane Rader O’Connor
  • 2010 – Susan Lowell Butler
  • 2009 – Kolleen Stacey
  • 2008 – Carolyn Benivegna
  • 2007 – Betty Reiser
  • 2006 – Joan Summer
  • 2005 – Gayle McKenna
  • 2004 – Sandi Pniauskas
  • 2003 – Christina Carr