WVU Cancer Institute names deputy director to lead research initiatives, organizational strategy

The WVU Cancer Institute has named Courtney DeVries, Ph.D., as the new deputy director effective Monday, March 14.

As deputy director, DeVries will help lead research initiatives within the Institute. She will be instrumental in developing and advancing the organizational strategy and research mission to foster our institute in becoming a leading cancer research and education institution.

“We are very fortunate to have a senior academic and research leader with such vast experience join our team,” Hannah Hazard-Jenkins, M.D., director of the WVU Cancer Institute, said. “Courtney is a strong team builder who has a history of partnering across disciplines and solving critical problems.”

DeVries is the WVU School of Medicine’s John T. and June R. Chambers Chair of Oncology Research and holds a dual appointment as a member of the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute.

She is a longstanding scientist and has served as a leader in the School of Medicine since joining the faculty in 2018.

“I envision creating an environment that nurtures success by providing faculty with the skills and resources they need to meet their research and professional goals and look forward to contributing to the growth of the institute,” DeVries said.

DeVries came to WVU from Ohio State University, where she was a professor of Neuroscience. She held joint appointments in the Department of Psychology and College of Nursing.

In addition to her chair role, she serves as the assistant vice president for faculty mentoring, director of the professional development core for the West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute, and principal investigator and director of the Stroke Center of Biomedical Research Excellence.

For more information on the WVU Cancer Institute, visit wvucancer.org.