Dr. Kan-Mitchell, a resident of Bloomfield Hills, was selected on the basis of her demonstrated competence and achievement in her scientific discipline as evidenced by the quality of her research accomplishments, publications in scientific journals and other significant scientific activities, achievements and honors. In this role, Dr. Kan-Mitchell will review grant applications submitted to the NIH, make recommendations on these applications to the appropriate NIH national advisory council or board, and survey the status of research in her field of science.

Dr. Kan-Mitchell's research has focused on the development of effective HIV-1 vaccines and more effective cancer vaccines. Dr. Kan-Mitchell and her team have defined several promising synthetic alternatives that are stronger than then their natural counterparts in breast cancer and in melanomas.

Wayne State University is one of the nation's pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. In the past 20 years, Wayne State's research has grown 15 percent annually, with research expenditures reaching nearly $200 million in 2002. Over 75 percent of research at WSU is focused on the life sciences, and this focus has led our School of Medicine to climb the National Science Foundation rankings to 22 in 2001.

Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world.