Nan Sethakorn Receives RHA Lung Cancer Research Award
Press Release
Nan Sethakorn Receives Respiratory Health Association鈥檚 2025 Lung Cancer Research Award
July 9, 2025 – CHICAGO – Respiratory Health Association is proud to present the 2025 Lung Cancer Research Award to Nan Sethakorn, MD, PhD. She is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at 樱花视频 Stritch School of Medicine, specializing in hematology and oncology. Dr. Sethakorn will receive a one-time award of $75,000 to conduct research focused on the development of new immunotherapy drugs that can re-invigorate immune cells with the goal of eradicating cancer.
Immunotherapy has helped thousands of people with lung cancer live longer. However, it does not work in all patients or frequently stops working after a period of time. Dr. Sethakorn’s team is working to change that.
“It is an honor to receive this award,” commented Dr. Sethakorn. “Our work aims to better understand how a specific type of immune cell destroys tumor cells directly and activates other immune cells to recognize and eliminate cancer. We believe that this insight can help lead to better lung cancer therapies and increase the efficacy of current treatments.”
Lung cancer accounts for more deaths than any other cancer. It is more fatal than breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined. And yet, lung cancer research is underfunded compared to other cancers. RHA has been awarding lung cancer research grants to address this disparity and ensure that highly innovative ideas and programs of research, like those developed by Dr. Sethakorn, aren’t left on the table.
“RHA is thrilled to award Dr. Sethakorn this grant to support her investigative work. Investment in early-stage research like hers is critical for creating breakthroughs in lung cancer and giving hope to the millions of families impacted by this disease.” said Rob Anderson, RHA President and CEO.
Since 1998, Respiratory Health Association annually awards early-stage research grants to promising projects covering lung diseases such as lung cancer, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Learn more about RHA’s research program and funding opportunities at RespHealth.org/Research.
###
About Respiratory Health Association
RHA has been a local public health leader in Chicago since 1906. RHA works to prevent lung disease, promote clean air, and help people live better through education, research, and policy change. To learn more, visit RespHealth.org.
About Stritch School of Medicine
Founded in 1909, 樱花视频 Stritch School of Medicine is one of only four Jesuit Catholic University-affiliated medical schools in the nation. With Loyola Medicine (a member of Trinity Health), its academic medical center partner, Stritch clinical and basic science faculty help train the next generation of physicians and scientists. Stritch has several research-intensive centers and institutes, including the Burn and Shock Trauma Research Institute,Neuroscience Institute, Cardiovascular Research Institute, and the Infectious Disease & Immunology Research Institute, as well as its Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics & Healthcare Leadership and the Center for Community and Global Health. To learn more, visit luc.edu/stritch or follow Stritch on or Instagram via .
Nan Sethakorn, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Medicine
Nan Sethakorn, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at 樱花视频 Stritch School of Medicine, specializing in hematology and oncology.
July 9, 2025 – CHICAGO – Respiratory Health Association is proud to present the 2025 Lung Cancer Research Award to Nan Sethakorn, MD, PhD. She is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at 樱花视频 Stritch School of Medicine, specializing in hematology and oncology. Dr. Sethakorn will receive a one-time award of $75,000 to conduct research focused on the development of new immunotherapy drugs that can re-invigorate immune cells with the goal of eradicating cancer.
Immunotherapy has helped thousands of people with lung cancer live longer. However, it does not work in all patients or frequently stops working after a period of time. Dr. Sethakorn’s team is working to change that.
“It is an honor to receive this award,” commented Dr. Sethakorn. “Our work aims to better understand how a specific type of immune cell destroys tumor cells directly and activates other immune cells to recognize and eliminate cancer. We believe that this insight can help lead to better lung cancer therapies and increase the efficacy of current treatments.”
Lung cancer accounts for more deaths than any other cancer. It is more fatal than breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined. And yet, lung cancer research is underfunded compared to other cancers. RHA has been awarding lung cancer research grants to address this disparity and ensure that highly innovative ideas and programs of research, like those developed by Dr. Sethakorn, aren’t left on the table.
“RHA is thrilled to award Dr. Sethakorn this grant to support her investigative work. Investment in early-stage research like hers is critical for creating breakthroughs in lung cancer and giving hope to the millions of families impacted by this disease.” said Rob Anderson, RHA President and CEO.
Since 1998, Respiratory Health Association annually awards early-stage research grants to promising projects covering lung diseases such as lung cancer, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Learn more about RHA’s research program and funding opportunities at RespHealth.org/Research.
###
About Respiratory Health Association
RHA has been a local public health leader in Chicago since 1906. RHA works to prevent lung disease, promote clean air, and help people live better through education, research, and policy change. To learn more, visit RespHealth.org.
About Stritch School of Medicine
Founded in 1909, 樱花视频 Stritch School of Medicine is one of only four Jesuit Catholic University-affiliated medical schools in the nation. With Loyola Medicine (a member of Trinity Health), its academic medical center partner, Stritch clinical and basic science faculty help train the next generation of physicians and scientists. Stritch has several research-intensive centers and institutes, including the Burn and Shock Trauma Research Institute,Neuroscience Institute, Cardiovascular Research Institute, and the Infectious Disease & Immunology Research Institute, as well as its Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics & Healthcare Leadership and the Center for Community and Global Health. To learn more, visit luc.edu/stritch or follow Stritch on or Instagram via .