Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center epidemiologist Dr. Christopher Li was recently selected as the inaugural recipient of the Helen G. Edson Endowed Chair for Breast Cancer Research.
This endowed chair will support Li’s work to develop better methods for breast cancer detection and his research on preventing metastatic recurrence (when cancer spreads to other parts of the body). Since joining the Hutch faculty in 2002, Li has studied connections between breast cancer and lifestyle factors as well as ways to overcome health care disparities.
“This is an incredible honor, and I am deeply appreciative of having my research and career recognized in this way,” Li said.
Li came to Fred Hutch in 1996 as an intern and was first introduced to breast cancer research by his adviser, epidemiologist and breast cancer researcher Dr. Janet Daling, now retired. In medical school Li had not planned to turn his career towards research, but his interest became personal when his aunt died of breast cancer just a few months after starting treatment.
Each year there are 250,000 diagnoses and 42,000 deaths from breast cancer in the U.S.
