Texas Tech Health Sciences Professor Receives National Cancer Research Award

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has recognized Dr. Duke Appiah, an Associate Professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), with the esteemed Minority-Serving Institution Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research Award. The acknowledgment took place at the AACR 2025 Annual Meeting, held in Chicago.

The award recognizes the vital contributions of full-time faculty to cancer research and facilitates their involvement in the annual events hosted by the AACR.

During the conference, Appiah unveiled the results of his recent study, which is titled “Higher Risk of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Women with Cancer in the U.S.” His research investigated significant disparities in outcomes, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, intrauterine growth restriction, fetal death, and maternal mortality.

Appiah expressed enthusiasm regarding the emphasis on cancer disparities at the conference. “This initiative aims to empower women and their healthcare providers to make informed choices by gaining insights into risk factors that vary among diverse racial and ethnic populations.”

Appiah, an epidemiologist specializing in applied statistics and data science, has served at the TTUHSC Julia Jones Matthews School of Population and Public Health for eight years. His research encompasses a variety of fields, focusing on rare cancers, including ocular cancer and male breast cancer, as well as the long-term outcomes associated with gynecologic cancers.

He is also acknowledged for a 2021 article in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians that explored the connection between skipping breakfast and cancer mortality.

Appiah expressed that being awarded the AACR accolade is not only a privilege but also an opportunity to advance discussions regarding equity in cancer care. “Contributing to research that directly influences equitable health outcomes is a fulfilling endeavor.”