Dear Colleagues:

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the President of AAISCR. The organization was founded in the spring of 1994 with the vision of bringing together Indian American cancer research scientists to foster collaboration in understanding cancer at multiple levels and to promote the development of cancer researchers. AAISCR fulfills this mission by offering a platform for communication and career development while attracting and supporting the next generation of cancer scientists.

Over the past 32 years of service to the community of cancer researchers of Indian origin, AAISCR has continued to support its members by connecting scientists with shared interests and helping them pursue common goals. We have witnessed numerous collaborations among AAISCR members, and many postdoctoral fellows and students have found mentors who guided them in realizing their aspirations.

AAISCR provides a valuable platform for networking with researchers from diverse backgrounds in cancer research. It also offers opportunities to discuss grant-related questions and NIH funding initiatives with NIH Program Directors who attend the AAISCR Annual Meetings as panelists in the grant-related discussion forums.

We recognize that researchers and students coming from India—often from diverse backgrounds—face a range of challenges, including adapting to a new environment while also acquiring knowledge and mastering new skills and technologies in a fast-paced setting. It is evident that success in independent research or entry into the industrial workforce requires not only strong ideas but also the ability to craft compelling grant applications. To help address these challenges, AAISCR has established a “Mentoring Program for Junior Faculty,” designed for researchers from India and across the U.S. We encourage junior investigators to take advantage of this program by reaching out to the Chairperson listed on our website (www.aaiscr.org). Many experienced and established investigators are available and willing to offer guidance at various levels.

AAISCR values high-quality, reproducible research that holds the potential to significantly impact the cancer research community over time. Our Award Committees continue to recognize the achievements of Indian American scientists—and others—through various awards. These awards are a testament to scientific excellence, promote career development, and mark distinction in the recipients' scientific careers. A list of past awardees is available on our website for your reference.

We invite you to take an active role in this organization and welcome your suggestions to help make AAISCR even stronger. Your involvement is essential in enabling us to serve the AAISCR community better in the years ahead. As appropriate, please bring your spouse, friends, colleagues, postdoctoral fellows, and students to enjoy an evening with the AAISCR community at the Annual Meetings. Feel free to reach out to anyone listed in the “Contact Us” section to get involved.

Thank you for being a part of the AAISCR community and for sharing in the responsibilities of advancing our shared scientific goals. Let us continue working together to achieve these goals while developing new and improved technologies, diagnostics, and therapeutics to advance cancer research and patient care—an endeavor truly worth pursuing.

Best regards,
Dipak K. Sarkar, Ph.D., D.Phil.
President, AAISCR