Five U of A Cancer Center members honored by inaugural Convergence Awards

Several members of the University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center were recognized for their research excellence and innovation as part of the U of A Office of Research and Partnerships’ inaugural Convergence Awards, highlighting contributions that span disciplines to address complex challenges in health and science.

“With convergent science as our center’s guiding theme, we've re-envisioned our fellowship programs to provide training that gives our T32 fellows the opportunity to innovate across disciplines,” said Dr. Dan Theodorescu, the Nancy C. and Craig M. Berge Endowed Chair and Director of the U of A Cancer Center. “I’m proud to know they’ll be working alongside incredible mentors like these." 

Among the honorees is George Sutphin, an associate professor in the U of A College of Science and a member of the Cancer Biology research program at the U of A Cancer Center. Sutphin was recognized with the University Distinguished Early Career Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award. Sutphin’s work focuses on the molecular basis of aging, with the goal of identifying clinical targets to slow aging and treat age-related diseases. Trained as an engineer, he transitioned into aging biology and now integrates systems and comparative genetics to better understand how genetic and environmental factors influence aging. His research aims to extend healthy lifespan and delay diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Sutphin also serves as chair of the American Aging Association.

Dr. Jeff Burgess, a professor in the U of A Zuckerman College of Public Healthwy, also was recognized for Excellence in Biomedical Research and Clinical Translation. Dr. Burgess directs the Center for Firefighter Health Collaborative Research and is a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control research program at the U of A Cancer Center. For more than 30 years, his work has advanced understanding of occupational and environmental health risks, particularly among firefighters and other high-risk groups. His research contributed to the World Health Organization’s 2022 classification of firefighting as a Group 1 carcinogenic exposure. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Burgess led the Arizona HEROES study, which provided early real-world evidence of increased infection risk and vaccine effectiveness among first responders.

Judith Su, an associate professor in the Wyant College of Optical Sciences and the College of Engineering, also received recognition for Excellence in Applied Research and Engineering. A member of the Clinical and Translational Oncologyresearch program at the U of A Cancer Center, Su is known for translating physical science principles into practical technologies with broad societal impact. Her research combines optical physics and systems engineering to develop highly sensitive sensing platforms used in biomedical diagnostics, environmental monitoring and national security. She pioneered frequency-locked optical resonator technologies, including the FLOWER platform, and has received support from multiple federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

In addition to the primary awardees, two cancer center members were named Certificate of Excellence honorees. Martha Bhattacharya, a member of the Clinical and Translational Oncology research program at the U of A Cancer Center, was recognized for receiving a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program award from the National Science Foundation. Paloma Beamer, a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control research program at the U of A Cancer Center, was honored for receiving the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on early-career scientists.

The Convergence Awards recognize University of Arizona researchers whose work integrates expertise across disciplines to address pressing societal challenges, underscoring the university’s commitment to collaborative, high-impact research.