Sharon A. Savage

Sharon A. Savage is a renowned oncologist and geneticist who has made significant contributions to the field of medicine. She is best known for her research on Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS), a rare, inherited disorder that greatly increases the risk of developing several types of cancer, particularly in children and young adults.

Early Life and Education

Sharon A. Savage was born and raised in United States. She completed her undergraduate studies in biology at the University of Virginia, and later earned her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of North Carolina Hospitals, and her fellowship in Medical Genetics at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Career

Savage joined the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in 2004, where she currently serves as the Chief of the Clinical Genetics Branch. Her research primarily focuses on understanding the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the development of cancer, particularly in individuals with LFS.

Savage and her team have made several groundbreaking discoveries in the field of cancer genetics. They were the first to identify that individuals with LFS have an increased risk of developing adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare type of cancer that affects the adrenal glands. They also discovered that these individuals have a higher risk of developing early-onset breast cancer.

Contributions to Medicine

Savage's research has significantly advanced our understanding of LFS and other hereditary cancer syndromes. Her work has led to the development of new diagnostic criteria for LFS, which has improved the ability to identify individuals at risk of developing cancer. This has ultimately led to earlier detection and treatment of cancer in these individuals.

Awards and Recognition

In recognition of her contributions to the field of medicine, Savage has received numerous awards and honors. These include the NIH Director's Award for her research on LFS, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology's Young Investigator Award.