National Pancreas Foundation recognizes WVU Cancer Institute researcher, patient
MORGANTOWN W.Va. — A WVU Cancer Institute research faculty member and patient were recently honored by the National Pancreatic Foundation (NPF) during the 2026 Courage for a Cure Western PA Awards Celebration on Oct. 24 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Tracy Liu, Ph.D., assistant professor, Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, WVU Cancer Institute and the West Virginia University School of Medicine, received the 2026 Rising Star award in honor of her exceptional promise, innovation, and compassion in her work to advance the understanding and management of pancreatic diseases.
“This award is very humbling and a great honor,” Dr. Liu said. “In addition to this award, I’ve been able to get funding to support all the cancer research that I do, including three active grants supporting our work in pancreatic cancer research.”
Brian Boone, M.D., division chief for Surgical Oncology at the WVU Cancer Institute, who nominated Dr. Liu for the award, said, “She is an emerging leader in pancreatic research, who understands the key partnership between researchers and clinicians. Dr. Liu is a highly motivated, brilliant, early investigator who works tirelessly to improve survival for pancreatic cancer through her phenomenal research. I can think of no one better suited for recognition from the National Pancreas Foundation.”
In his nomination, Dr. Boone noted the importance of “team science” between clinicians and researchers — a strength Dr. Liu brings not only in the team, but to patients. “This approach is necessary to improve outcomes in pancreatic cancer, and Dr. Liu brings all of these critical pieces together with a focus on helping patients," Dr. Boone added.
Dr. Liu joined the WVU Cancer Institute in 2021. In addition to the NPF award, she was also the recipient of the Lustgarten-AACR Career Development Award, given in honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which supports early career researchers in the pancreatic cancer research.
Dr. Liu, who earned her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto before spending eight years at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, as a postdoctoral fellow and instructor, remains focused on moving her research into the clinical trials phase.
“It’s nice when people recognize that what we do in the lab can have an impact,” she said. “It is another recognition that the work we do matters.”
Clarence Litten, a patient at the WVU Cancer Institute from Hedgesville, West Virginia, received the NPF’s Hero of Hope Award. The award recognizes individuals who exemplify unwavering courage, resilience, and hope in the face of pancreatic illness.
After being diagnosed with pancreatic head cancer in November 2023, Litten endured multiple chemotherapy regimens, including a robotic Whipple procedure in June 2024 performed by Dr. Boone, to treat the cancer. He overcame several setbacks that required additional surgical procedures but made a full recovery.
“Throughout his journey, Mr. Litten was kind, hopeful, and grateful for the care he received,” Dr. Boone said. “His unwavering faith and positive attitude, even during the most difficult moments, have been an inspiration to our entire team. His strength and resilience have been truly extraordinary.”
At the 2024 event, the WVU Cancer Institute’s Shailendra Singh, M.D. was awarded the same honor, while Dr. Boone and Carl Schmidt, M.D. were recognized with the Courage Award. In 2025, Adam Cosner, P.A.-C. and Samantha Peralta, M.S.N., A.P.R.N., A.G.N.P.-C., were awarded the group’s Compassionate Care Award.
Proceeds from the Courage for a Cure event directly benefit the NPF’s research, education, and patient support initiatives, fueling progress toward improved treatments and ultimately, a cure for pancreatic disease.
–WVU–
Media Inquiries:
Will Aldrich, Communications Specialist
WVU Cancer Institute