Frances Carr, professor of pharmacology at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont and a member of the UVM Cancer Center, has been elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the Science family of journals.
Carr was recognized for her distinguished contributions to the field of thyroid hormone biology and pathology, and for her major contributions to science policy for U.S. government agencies.
“Dr. Carr’s important work has made an impact in multiple areas of the scientific community, including research, government policy, academic administration and mentoring,” said Larner Dean Richard Page, MD. “The Larner College of Medicine joins Dr. Carr in celebrating this well-deserved honor.”
An international expert in the area of thyroid hormone biology in development and tumor formation, Carr and her team study the fundamental genomic and epigenomic mechanisms of thyroid hormone receptors and their action to suppress tumor progression in hormone-dependent cancers. Among her lab’s accomplishments is the establishment of the TRβ tumor suppression programs in anaplastic thyroid and triple negative breast cancers, revealing novel therapeutic targets and possible biomarkers for early detection.
Carr’s commitment to the advancement of science is reflected in her international role in promoting science policy and efforts to engage the public in science through such venues as Rotary International, Kiwanis, Science Friday, Voice of America and various invited presentations. Throughout her career in diverse government and academic positions, she has mentored faculty, clinical scholars, AAAS fellows, and graduate and undergraduate students.
Carr holds a PhD in physiology and biophysics/molecular endocrinology from the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago, completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Division of Endocrinology at the University of Minnesota, and did a research fellowship in medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School prior to her academic appointments.