Internationally regarded leukemia pioneer Dr. Susan O’Brien honored for advancing research, treatment
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society presents physician with its scientific service award
December 16, 2024
Dr. Susan O'Brien is a pioneer of several important therapies now regarded as the standard of care for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Orange, Calif. — Internationally renowned UCI Health hematologist-oncologist Dr. Susan M. O’Brien has been honored with the Excellence in Scientific Service Award by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for her vast contributions to the field.
The award, which was presented Dec. 8, recognizes scientists who have driven advancements in blood cancer research and have given their time to the society to help identify and fund promising research.
“Throughout my career it has been a privilege to work with LLS,” says O’Brien, who recently retired as the associate director for clinical science at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and medical director of the UC Irvine Sue & Ralph Stern Center for Clinical Trials & Research.
“This wonderful organization has made enormous strides in accelerating the availability of new therapy for the treatment of various leukemias. I am so honored and thrilled to receive this Excellence in Scientific Service award.”
Pioneering researcher
O’Brien, a groundbreaking leader in developing treatments for both chronic and acute leukemias, is a pioneer of several important therapies now regarded as the standard of care for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This includes leading the initial clinical research into the Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, ibrutinib for patients with CLL and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).
She has served as the principal investigator for more than 1,040 funded clinical protocols, authored more than 900 peer-reviewed manuscripts and has given more than 500 lectures in national and international conferences and academic institutions.
O’Brien is listed in the top 1% of the most highly cited and influential researchers in the world.
In 2020, she was one of just 15 international pioneers in cancer treatment and research to be named a Giant of Cancer Care®. She and her fellow inductees were selected by more than 120 of the world’s preeminent oncologists.
As a member of the LLS Therapy Acceleration Program (TAP) Advisory Council, O'Brien helped provide guidance and oversight for its venture philanthropy initiative. The longtime member of the LLS TAP Committee was also involved in approving TAP funding that led to new U.S. Food & Drug Administration approvals for blood cancer drugs. In addition, she also served on the LLS Medical & Scientific Affairs Committee and its Translational Grant Review Committee, reviewing funding recommendations for research grants.
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UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The 1,317-bed system comprises its main campus UCI Medical Center, an acute care hospital in Orange, Calif., the UCI Health — Irvine medical campus, four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and ambulatory care centers across the region. Recognized as a Top Hospital by The Leapfrog Group, UCI Medical Center provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to Orange County’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. UCI Health serves a region of nearly 4 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
