Lynne Elmore, PhD
Senior Scientific Director
Cell Biology and Preclinical Cancer Research
Why I Work at ACS
For about 18 years, I directed a cancer research program at a university. I wanted to leverage my scientific expertise to do even more to help end cancer - without ignoring my passion for education, mentoring, and community outreach. I closed my lab door when the American Cancer Society gave me that opportunity, and I’m grateful to be part of the ACS family.”
At ACS since 2017
As Scientific Director of the Cell Biology and Preclinical Cancer Research program in Extramural Discovery Science, Lynne Elmore, PhD, oversees peer review and grants management in the areas of cancer cell biology, metastasis and microenvironment, experimental therapeutics, and cancer detection and progression.
She serves as the scientific liaison to the North Central and West Regions of the American Cancer Society, providing expert information, education and communication about cancer and ACS programs to a variety of ACS constituents, including donors, researchers, staff, and volunteers.
Elmore is committed to leveraging internal and external partnerships to promote scientific advancement for the benefit of cancer patients and to enhance training opportunities for cancer leaders of the future. Recent examples of her strong leadership and collaborative mindset include:
- Lead author of Blueprint for Cancer Research: Critical Gaps and Opportunities (2020), which integrates conversations with over 90 leading cancer experts to facilitate a comprehensive and diverse national research portfolio of new opportunities to advance evidence-based approaches for all cancer patients and communities.
- Key roles in developing, securing funding, and launching the American Cancer Society and Lisa Dean Moseley Foundation Cancer Stem Cell Consortium, a $10.1 million, 6-year project with the goal of rapidly accelerating scientific discovery through a brand-new transdisciplinary collaboration model.
- Scientific lead for developing and launching the Screening Priority Area RFA (2022) and Advancing Health Equity and Addressing Disparities (AHEAD) Awards (2023).
- Scientific lead for planning the 2018 and 2022 biennial American Cancer Society Jiler Research Professor and Fellows Conference, which provided early-stage researchers an opportunity to interact with prestigious, senior cancer experts with the goals to advance cutting-edge cancer research, promote collaborations, and help prepare cancer leaders for the future.
Research focus and accomplishments
In academia, her scholarly activities focused on cancer biology and preparing the next generation of cancer researchers.
Some mentoring highlights include being recognized by the VCU Goldwater Scholarship Committee for excellence in mentoring and participating in the NIH-sponsored research programs to promote diversity in STEM.
Publications
Elmore has led or coauthored more than 85 peer-reviewed publications and 13 book chapters. For a complete list of her publications Google Scholar page.
Contact
lynne.elmore@cancer.org
404-929-6864
Work before ACS
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Pathology
- Associate Professor, 2012-2017
- Assistant Professor, 2005-2012
- Research Associate, 1998-2005
- Scientific Member, Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, VA, 2006-2017
Professional organizations
- American Association for Cancer Research
- Georgia Bio, Mentor
- Women in Cancer Research
Education
- Postdoctoral Training: Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Institute, 1994-1998
- PhD: Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University, 1988-1993
- BA: Vanderbilt University, 1981-1984
Personal life
I enjoy yoga, hiking, and traveling - especially when it includes adventures with my husband and our 3 adult sons, who live in Boston, Denver, and Atlanta.