Mona Fouad, MD, MPH, Director of the UAB Minority Health & Health Disparities Research Center (MHRC), is the first woman to receive the Albert F. LoBulgio Distinguished Faculty Award for her outstanding contributions to the research mission of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. The award was presented by Edward Partridge, MD, Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, at the Center's 15th annual Research Retreat.

Named after Albert F. LoBuglio, MD, who served as the Cancer Center's Director for 21 years, the award is presented annually to a Cancer Center investigator for outstanding research contributions. "It is clear why Mona Fouad was selected for this honor," explains Partridge. "She has been a co-leader of the Center's Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program for many years and has been the most influential person in establishing our Cancer Center as a national leader in cancer disparities research. She has also been a leader in creating a training program for minority scientists and other investigators interested in a career in cancer disparities research."

Under Fouad's leadership, over the course of 10 years the MHRC has brought to UAB more than $100 million in extramural grant funding, most of it with a common theme of improving health and preventing disease in minorities.