I recently spoke with CCF research awardee and Scientific Advisory Board member Christine Pratilas, M.D. about her roles and responsibilities in pediatric cancer, and there are many:
Dr. Pratilas (4th from L) receives her grant award with other Hopkins awardees at the 2016 CCF Gala.
Dr. Pratilas is a pediatric oncologist at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC) and Associate Professor of Oncology, Pediatrics & Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and she serves as the Director of the Pediatric Sarcoma Program at the SKCCC.
Her clinical expertise is in the management of children, adolescents and young adults with sarcomas, with particular research interests in rhabdomyosarcoma and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. In addition, she sees children with other rare pediatric cancers. She has a strong interest in pediatric cancer genetics.
Dr. Pratilas also serves as a member of the CCF Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), where she provides guidance on the planning of our annual Research Symposium and other general guidance within the pediatric oncology field. She is a true friend of CCF with a willingness to provide support and input whenever asked.
The Children’s Cancer Foundation proudly presented Dr. Pratilas with the 2022 Juliana Carver Honorary Research Award, which is granted to an investigator researching rhabdomyosarcoma. She also was recommended for funding by CCF’s independent proposal review committee, and approved, in 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021 to advance her research in the area of rhabdomyosarcoma and rare cancers.
Dr. Pratilas poses with her lab
Background
Dr. Pratilas received her medical degree from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School/UMDNJ (now Rutgers University), where she also completed her internship and residency from 1999 to 2002. From 2002 to 2005, she was a fellow in hematology and oncology in the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Department of Pediatrics, and in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Today
Dr. Pratilas’ laboratory is dedicated to studying pediatric sarcomas in order to develop novel therapeutics for children with these tumors. In her lab is another recent research awardee, Patience Odeniyide, M.D. Dr. Pratilas is deeply committed to mentoring young investigators so they can become leaders in the pediatric oncology field and operate labs of their own.
Dr. Pratilas (2nd from R) joins others from her lab at the 2022 CCF Gala
I am always amazed when I meet the individuals who lend their time and passion to support CCF. Our Scientific Advisory Board is a collection of experts, each of whom is incredibly accomplished, in extremely high demand and committed to advancing research to discover more effective and less toxic treatments and cures.
Dr. Pratilas is one of those incredible individuals. CCF is lucky to have Dr. Pratilas supporting our Scientific Advisory Board and making advances in research.
In partnership,
Tasha Museles
President
The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc.
