RAS Initiative Leadership Change
, by Sonia Hawkins, NCI Staff
Christopher Kane, Ph.D.
Program Officer for National Missions, Contracting Officer Representative
On December 31, 2021, NCI RAS Initiative Program Officer, Dr. Sara Hook, left federal service to join the Medical University South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center. We extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Hook for her continued dedication, guidance, and support to the program since its inception in 2013. She worked tirelessly with NCI and Leidos Biomedical Research leadership to give life to the RAS Initiative concept and spent the past eight years collaborating with NCI RAS Initiative researchers resulting in the program’s continued success.
We also extend a warm welcome to Dr. Christopher Kane who is assuming the Program Officer role. Dr. Kane is a research and development leader with eleven years of private sector biopharmaceutical experience spanning drug discovery to phase II clinical trials. He subsequently led preclinical research and early advanced development activities for eight years at USAMRIID, with a primary focus on small molecule therapeutics targeting biodefense pathogens and infectious disease. He joined NCI in late 2020 and has worked closely with Dr. Hook to ensure the continued success of this program. His experience and expertise compliment the Initiative’s mission and will help take the program to the next level. Welcome Aboard, Dr. Kane! We look forward to working with you.