Dr. Muhammad Murtaza, a US-based cancer researcher, has been awarded the 2024 Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) Innovation Award for his groundbreaking work on simplifying the process of early cancer detection and screening.
Who is Dr Muhammad Murtaza?
Dr Muhammad Murtaza is a cancer researcher, Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery, and Associate Director of the Center for Human Genomics and Precision Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dr Murtaza earned his medical degree from Aga Khan University Medical College in Pakistan and a doctorate in medical science from the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute at the University of Cambridge. He began his professional career at the Translational Genomics Research Institute, a nonprofit medical research institution in Arizona, and also practiced at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona.
In 2020, Dr Murtaza joined the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, where he was appointed Associate Director of the Center for Human Genomics and Precision Medicine in 2021. He has recently been appointed as the next director of the centre.
Dr Muhammad Murtaza’s Research Work:
Dr Murtaza’s research focuses on advancing cancer diagnostics by developing innovative methods that utilize an individual’s genome—the complete set of their genetic information. His lab was the first to show that a simple blood test could predict the effectiveness of certain breast cancer treatments. One of his lab’s technologies was licensed for further development and evaluation by Exact Sciences, a Madison-based biotechnology company focused on early cancer detection.
His research interests include improving access to cutting-edge technology in cancer diagnostics (liquid biopsies) for patients in lower-income settings.
2024 WARF Innovation Award:
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), a nonprofit organisation established in 1925, aims to promote and support scientific research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Each year, WARF honours groundbreaking innovations that have the potential to significantly impact society.
Dr Murtaza and surgery researcher Michelle Stephens received the 2024 WARF Innovation Award for their work on simplifying early cancer detection and screening processes. The WARF announcement emphasized that existing cancer detection methods are often costly and require patients to visit clinics for blood draws—a barrier for individuals in low-resource and rural settings. Dr Murtaza’s team has developed a diagnostic tool that enables at-home blood sample collection, making cancer screening more accessible and affordable.
Dr Murtaza’s achievement not only highlights his dedication to improving access to cutting-edge technology in cancer diagnostics but also reflects the profound impact such innovations will have on improving lives globally. The Khoja News team congratulates Dr Murtaza on his groundbreaking accomplishment, and we pray to Allah (swt) to grant him success in all his endeavours, Ameen.
References:
- Murtaza, Muhammed – Center for Human Genomics and Precision Medicine – UW–Madison
- 2024 WARF Innovation Award winners take on cancer detection, forever chemicals
- Murtaza named director of Center for Human Genomics and Precision Medicine – School of Medicine and Public Health
- (19) Post | Feed | LinkedIn
- Simplifying Cancer Detection and Screening – 2024 WARF Innovation Award Nominee