Erin Wright, MD, director of Neuro-oncology, and new chairholder of the Jeffrey A. Barbour Chair for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Research and Healing
Akron Children’s is now a member institution of the Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN). Erin Wright, MD, Akron Children’s director of Neuro-oncology in the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, serves as CBTN principal investigator.
“Akron Children’s is very excited to join the Children’s Brain Tumor Network as an affiliate member,” said Dr. Wright. “We look forward to the increased opportunities to share information and collaborate to advance research and ultimately provide the best outcomes possible for our patients. There’s a huge drive to learn as much as we can about pediatric brain tumors and we are looking forward to having an expanded role in that effort.”
As a participating CBTN member site, Akron Children’s contributes consented samples of childhood tissue to help advance understanding of childhood brain tumor biology. Each brain tumor tissue sample is deidentified before undergoing genetic sequencing, a process that converts the samples into data to provide the greatest value to researchers worldwide, while protecting the privacy of each child. No single institution can collect enough samples on its own, making collaboration through CBTN an essential step toward more effective treatments for children.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Akron Children’s to CBTN. Their expertise and partnership will be invaluable as we work together to better understand childhood brain tumor biology,” shared Jennifer Mason, CBTN Director of Biospecimen and Clinical Research Operations.
This collaboration was made possible due to the generous support of the Melina Michelle Edenfield Fund, which specifically supports brain tumor research at Akron Children’s.
Additionally, Dr. Wright was recently named the new chairholder of the Jeffrey A. Barbour Chair for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Research and Healing.
