Learn More About the Communicator of the Year Award Recipients!
Posted on Jan. 26, 2023 / Subscribe 0
The Communicator of the Year Award reflects Dr. Downing's leadership of a $12.9 billion strategy to accelerate progress in the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases. This commitment is significantly expanding St. Jude's clinical care and scientific programs in Memphis and around the globe. Dr. Downing is also a prominent voice in championing Memphis as a city vibrant with opportunities. He also uses his platform to bring attention to important health and safety issues, such as vaccinations, masking, equitable global health care, and pediatric diseases.
A renowned leader in pediatric cancer research, Dr. Downing focuses on understanding cancer's genetic basis and using that information to improve treatments. He was instrumental in launching the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project, an ambitious sequencing effort to discover why childhood cancer arises, spreads, and resists treatment.
Beyond research, Dr. Downing has been a driving force in taking St. Jude to the world. He has spearheaded an innovative program to raise pediatric cancer survival rates internationally. This will be accomplished partly through a global alliance of healthcare providers who work to ensure that children everywhere have access to quality care.
Dr. Downing earned his undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Michigan. He joined St. Jude in 1986 after training in anatomic pathology at Washington University in St. Louis and completing a fellowship in hematopathology at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Dr. Downing has received numerous honors for his work, including election to the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In addition, he has received the Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Prize, the E. Donnall Thomas Lecture and Prize from the American Society of Hematology, and the Pediatric Oncology Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Downing was also elected as a Fellow of the AACR Academy Class of 2022.
PRSA Memphis will also recognize Denzel Alexander as the 2022 Student Communicator of the Year during the luncheon.
Alexander is a graduate student at the University of Memphis studying for his master's degree in journalism and strategic media. He is employed as a social media manager at KQ Communications. In addition, he has an increasing social media presence in the city as a digital creator and photographer focusing on fashion, music, and Memphis, among other topics. His work has led to multiple brand partnerships with companies such as Target, the NCAA, and Marriott Bonvoy.
He also has been featured on four billboards throughout the city in the We Are Memphis "Soul" billboard series. In September, he was a speaker at the 2022 Inspire Media Conference, which provides seminars and workshops to help educate and inspire creatives in the media industry.
Alexander was awarded the Creative Achievement Award Graduate School at the 2022 President's Honors Assembly and Leadership Awards at the University of Memphis.
A renowned leader in pediatric cancer research, Dr. Downing focuses on understanding cancer's genetic basis and using that information to improve treatments. He was instrumental in launching the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project, an ambitious sequencing effort to discover why childhood cancer arises, spreads, and resists treatment.
Beyond research, Dr. Downing has been a driving force in taking St. Jude to the world. He has spearheaded an innovative program to raise pediatric cancer survival rates internationally. This will be accomplished partly through a global alliance of healthcare providers who work to ensure that children everywhere have access to quality care.
Dr. Downing earned his undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Michigan. He joined St. Jude in 1986 after training in anatomic pathology at Washington University in St. Louis and completing a fellowship in hematopathology at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Dr. Downing has received numerous honors for his work, including election to the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In addition, he has received the Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Prize, the E. Donnall Thomas Lecture and Prize from the American Society of Hematology, and the Pediatric Oncology Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Downing was also elected as a Fellow of the AACR Academy Class of 2022.
PRSA Memphis will also recognize Denzel Alexander as the 2022 Student Communicator of the Year during the luncheon.
Alexander is a graduate student at the University of Memphis studying for his master's degree in journalism and strategic media. He is employed as a social media manager at KQ Communications. In addition, he has an increasing social media presence in the city as a digital creator and photographer focusing on fashion, music, and Memphis, among other topics. His work has led to multiple brand partnerships with companies such as Target, the NCAA, and Marriott Bonvoy.
He also has been featured on four billboards throughout the city in the We Are Memphis "Soul" billboard series. In September, he was a speaker at the 2022 Inspire Media Conference, which provides seminars and workshops to help educate and inspire creatives in the media industry.
Alexander was awarded the Creative Achievement Award Graduate School at the 2022 President's Honors Assembly and Leadership Awards at the University of Memphis.
Check back here for more updates about the event!
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