Jill M. Kolesar, who became dean and professor at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in July, has been bestowed one more title. Last month she was named the Jean M. Schmidt chair in Drug Discovery. The Schmidt chair supports a pharmacy faculty member pursuing drug discovery with an emphasis on cancer or antimicrobial therapeutics, in alignment with research efforts in the UI Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. Kolesar’s research focuses on precision medicine and oncology drug development.
“I am tremendously honored. Dr. Schmidt contributed to the isolation and evaluation of a number of anticancer agents and her legacy continues today,” said Kolesar. “I want to express my deep admiration of her and her extraordinary career as well as thank the entire Schmidt family for the generosity of this support.”
Kolesar noted that she, like Schmidt, was raised in a rural area, and both started in science by studying rocks. The oldest of seven siblings, Kolesar grew up sharing one bathroom with five sisters. She said it taught her teamwork among other concepts.
“Dr. Schmidt was a pioneer in team science, as a microbiologist collaborating with chemists and cancer biologists,” said Kolesar. “Like her, collaboration and teamwork have been the foundation for my research career, which I have devoted to developing new anticancer agents and ensuring that these new discoveries are translated outside of academic medical centers and into the community where the majority of patients receive their care.”
One project Kolesar is particularly proud is a new cell-based therapy to combat ovarian cancer for which she received a two-year, $10 million award from Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health last month. Ovarian cancer is projected to kill more than 12,700 women in the United States this year, according to the American Cancer Society. There is currently no early detection for the disease.
“This drug is made from a patient’s own cells and is able to convert cold tumors to hot ones, which is effective in the 40% of cancers that are resistant to immunotherapies, like ovarian cancer,” said Kolesar.
Kolesar has authored more than 400 abstracts, research articles, and book chapters, and as a principal investigator has received more than $15 million (excluding the recent award) in research funding from the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, and other sources. She has nine patents or patents pending and has founded two start-up companies based on technologies developed in her lab.
The Schmidt Chair in Drug Discovery was established with gifts from the estates of Jean Schmidt and her father, John F. Schmidt, with assistance from family members JoAnn C. Schmidt Kramer and Nate Kramer.
“Jean was passionate about advancing women and underrepresented individuals in science and she employed and mentored many students in her labs. She would be thrilled Dr. Jill Kolesar has been awarded this chair,” said Nate. “She would also be so pleased that Dean Kolesar will be advancing cancer treatments that will make their way into the hospital where patients are seeking treatment and hope.”