Dr. Frederick F. Becker

1998-1999

After 19 years of meritorious service in bringing M. D. Anderson’s research program to national and international repute, Dr. Frederick F. Becker has stepped down from his administrative position as vice president for research.

As vice president for research since 1979, Dr. Becker’s chief legacy is building the center’s program in basic and translational research.

Dr. Becker was instrumental in bringing some of the world’s renowned basic scientists to M. D. Anderson, and then recruiting top-notch clinical scientists. He also championed the construction of research facilities such as the Clinical Research Building that opened last fall, the Basic Research Building that opened in 1986, the Smith Research Building that opened in 1980, and research facilities at the Science Park in Central Texas that continue to undergo major expansion.

For his many career contributions, Dr. Becker was named the first recipient of the new Presidents’ Award created by M. D. Anderson President Dr. John Mendelsohn. The award was established in honor of Dr. Mendelsohn’s two predecessors — the late Dr. R. Lee Clark and Dr. Charles A. LeMaistre.

The Presidents’ Award honors those "making lasting  and substantial contributions to progress against cancer." It also honors individuals who play key roles in M. D. Anderson’s success.

The recognition for Dr. Becker came as he stepped down from his positions as vice president for research and scientific director of the Tumor Institute at M. D. Anderson effective Aug. 31. At that time, Dr. Becker was named a special advisor to the president, and he retains his positions as deputy director of the Cancer Center Support Grant and chief of the Section of Experimental Pathology.

"In his service as vice president for research, Dr. Becker’s impact has been immense," says Dr. Mendelsohn. "He has been instrumental in creating the scholarly climate in which research has flourished at M. D. Anderson, and he has been the central force in bringing to M. D. Anderson some of our most prestigious faculty and in securing the many physical and financial resources needed for their laboratory research. I am very pleased that he will continue to serve as special advisor to the president."

Dr. Becker also is being honored with the creation of an endowed chair in his name. The Frederick F. Becker Distinguished University Chair for Cancer Research received approval from The University of Texas System Board of Regents.

"The endowed chair will commemorate the work of Dr. Becker as well as provide support for other faculty members to continue along his path of excellence," Dr. Mendelsohn says.

Dr. Becker’s reasons for stepping down from his administrative position are many. He is pleased with achieving all of his goals as vice president for research. The time is ripe for a new generation of leaders under Dr. Mendelsohn to carry M. D. Anderson into the 21st century, he says.

In addition, Dr. Becker says he looks forward to spending more time with his wife and daughter, as well as traveling, fishing and patronizing the arts. He also anticipates having much more "leisure time" in his laboratory.

"Anybody who knows me understands that I consider time spent in my laboratory as leisure time. It will be a joy to do my research, be with my research staff and colleagues, and attend lectures," he says.

Dr. Becker’s current research involves developing a new technology for separating cancer cells from normal blood cells.

He says his laboratory is on the cusp in producing new instrumentation that may allow scientists to identify new cell types among normal cells such as lymphocytes. The new technology also may be able to separate viable cancer cells from the peripheral blood of cancer patients. Being able to do this, Dr. Becker explains, would enable researchers to conduct genetic analysis on cancer cells, and possibly predict the prognosis for a primary tumor, such as whether it will recur or not.

The new instrumentation may even allow for the purging of tumor cells from bone marrow so that the marrow cells may be used for transplantation, he says.

Numerous organizations and societies, both national and international, have recognized Dr. Becker’s contributions to cancer research.

His many honors include:

• The Solomon A. Berson Medical Alumni Achievement Award (1984) from New York University, his alma mater (Class of 1956).
• The Charles A. LeMaistre M.D. Outstanding Achievement Award in Cancer (1996), recognizing significant contributions to M. D. Anderson.
• Corresponding Academician of the Royal Academy of Physical and Natural Sciences of Spain (1990).
• An Honorary Fellowship from the University of Wales in Bangor presented by the University’s Chancellor, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales (1996).
• Two Gold Medals of Merit in Science from the government of Thailand (one in 1995 and the second in 1996).

"I have been extraordinarily fortunate to have been able to carry out my research and administrative activities here, where the thirst for knowledge and the desire to contribute to the demise of cancer have been the dominating forces driving our faculty," Dr. Becker says.