Two MD Anderson Researchers Elected AAAS Fellows

Lauren Byers, MD

In recognition of their significant achievements to advance cancer care and research, Lauren Byers, MD, and Paul Scheet, PhD., from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 

Paul Scheet, PhD

This distinction stands as one of the highest accolades within the scientific research community. AAAS’s tradition of recognizing leading scientists, who are elected by their peers, dates back to 1874. This class of 471 fellows includes scientists, engineers and innovators spanning all 24 of AAAS disciplinary sections who are being recognized for their scientifically and socially distinguished achievements. Including Byers and Scheet, 70 MD Anderson faculty members have been elected AAAS Fellows to date.

"We are proud to celebrate Dr. Byers and Dr. Scheet for their unwavering dedication and groundbreaking contributions to cancer care and research," said Peter WT Pisters, MD, president of MD Anderson. "Both are exceptional leaders in their fields, and their tireless commitment to improving patient outcomes and advancing cancer research makes them truly deserving of this honor.”

MD Anderson fosters a distinctive research environment that promotes collaboration between clinicians and scientists, facilitating the continuous exchange of knowledge between the lab and the clinic. Innovations emerging from the lab can quickly be translated into new treatments for clinical testing, while clinical outcomes can immediately inform and direct laboratory research. This dynamic, collaborative cycle – driven by connectivity, teamwork and data-driven science –expedites discoveries in ways that are unmatched by other institutions.

Byers, professor of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, was elected for her contributions to the field of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) research. She is recognized internationally as an expert in SCLC, and her research has contributed to the development of new drug classes for the disease, including PARP and other innovative therapeutics that are poised to lead effective, personalized treatment. Byers also led the creation of the first standardized SCLC molecular classification, now widely adopted in clinical trials. Her work has been pivotal in uncovering the links between therapeutic resistance, lineage plasticity and intratumor heterogeneity, as SCLC tumors become resistant to standard chemotherapy treatments. Byers’ work ultimately has allowed lung cancer patients to receive the treatment that would most likely benefit them. She currently leads several translational and clinical lung cancer research programs at MD Anderson and is co-principal investigator of the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute SCLC Consortium Coordinating Center. 

Scheet, chair of Epidemiology, was elected for his extensive contributions to both genetic epidemiology and cancer genomics. He pioneered the development of a method used to detect mosaic chromosomal changes in difficult settings, such as normal tissues and early-stage lesions, which were previously missed due to the low number of mutant cells. His innovative research is helping redefine the understanding of cancer risk and pre-malignant states. Beyond his research, Scheet is a dedicated mentor and leader, recognized for his teaching and guidance of the next generation of scientists. He serves as chair of the Population Sciences Working Group at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and continues to lead in both scientific and institutional leadership roles.

"The AAAS Fellows are a select group of scientists whose exemplary research underscores the critical role that scientific discovery plays in advancing health," said Giulio Draetta, MD, PhD, chief scientific officer at MD Anderson. "The achievements of Dr. Byers and Dr. Scheet are a testament to the transformative impact of MD Anderson’s research in delivering breakthroughs that can improve patient outcomes."