U.S. Ambassador meets with Guyanese cancer specialist and her Nobel Prize winning husband

The United States Embassy in Georgetown has announced that Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Padmanee Sharma, a Guyanese- American and well-accomplished immunologist and oncologist as well as the first Scientific Director for the Immunotherapy Platform and the Director of Scientific Programs for the James P. Allison Institute at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; and her husband Dr. James Alison, a professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and 2018 Nobel Prize Winner for Physiology/Medicine for his discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation.

Dr. Sharma, Dr. Alison, and their family are directors of Abram’s Tent, a school in Berbice that aims to empower the next generation through equitable opportunities and nurture a community of scholars to drive positive change in the world.

Thank you, said the statement, to Dr. Sharma and Dr. Alison for your great work in the medical field and your contribution to the education of Guyanese youth.

Guyanese doctor, Padmanee Sharma has had an outstanding career.

The Guyanese cancer specialist was born on June 26, 1970 in Guyana. She is married to longtime collaborator, James P. Allison and has three daughters.

Dr. Sharma currently holds the position of professor of genitourinary medical oncology and immunology in the Division of Cancer Medicine where she specialises in renal, prostate, and bladder cancers.

The Guyanese doctor studies the treatment of cancer with immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy is on the cutting edge of the fight against cancers. This field of treatment uses various methods to teach the body’s own immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells.

The two distinguished medical professionals are currently in Guyana.