Creating Lasting Impact: MRA Launches Award to Honor Chad Johnson

MRA Launches the Paul Walks - Young Investigator Award in Memory of Chad Johnson

The Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), recognized globally for its commitment to melanoma research funding, recently announced an exciting new initiative: the Paul Walks - MRA Young Investigator Award in Memory of Chad Johnson. This award aims to support and foster the next generation of researchers dedicated to combating melanoma, a deadly skin cancer known for its rising incidence and challenging treatment landscape.

Chad Johnson, a passionate surfer and advocate for melanoma awareness, sadly succumbed to this disease at the age of 55. To honor his legacy and contribution to awareness, this award has been established under the guidance of his lifelong friend, Paul Giobbi, who spearheaded the fundraising efforts. The Paul Walks initiative has galvanized community support and engagement, raising significant funds to empower innovative research in the field.

The MRA's Young Investigator Awards (YIAs) are fundamental to its mission. These awards provide crucial funding and mentoring to emerging scientists, allowing them the freedom to explore and develop groundbreaking ideas that may transform the treatment of melanoma and significantly contribute to broader cancer care strategies.

Joan Levy, PhD, Chief Science Officer of MRA, reflected on the program's importance by stating, "Our Young Investigator Awards fuel the creativity and drive of early-career scientists whose work can redefine the future of melanoma research." These sentiments resonate deeply, as the MRA seeks to cultivate talent and innovation at a time when novel therapies and scientific advancements are critical in the continual fight against this aggressive cancer.

This year, the inaugural recipient of the award is Dr. Kelly Kersten from the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute located in La Jolla, California. Dr. Kersten’s research focuses on rejuvenating 'exhausted' immune cells within melanoma tumors. By restoring their functionality, the research is poised to enhance patient responses to immunotherapy, a frontrunner in cancer treatment modalities. Dr. Kersten expressed her honor to receive this prestigious award, asserting, "Inside tumors, immune cells often lose their strength to attack cancer. Our work is focused on understanding and reversing this exhaustion to make therapies more effective for more people."

The recognition of Chad Johnson's life and the dedication to continuing his fight against melanoma establishes a poignant connection between personal loss and scientific progress. As Paul Giobbi remarked, "Chad lived his life to the fullest, and we're determined to help others have more time, more options, and more hope. We are proud this grant bears his name and helps fund lifesaving science."

The initiative to fund the MRA Young Investigator Award is part of a broader commitment from the MRA, which announced a staggering $9.3 million investment in melanoma research for 2025. This funding will support over 30 researchers across the United States, Europe, and Australia, reflecting a global alliance in the battle against melanoma.

Marc Hurlburt, PhD, the CEO of MRA, stated, "When MRA was founded in 2007, treatment options were few. Today, thanks to relentless research and innovation, patients with advanced melanoma have access to 17 FDA-approved therapies. By backing the next generation of researchers, we are ensuring even greater progress in the years ahead."

As we move forward in this fight, the establishment of the Paul Walks - MRA Young Investigator Award in Memory of Chad Johnson not only honors an inspiring individual but also embodies the spirit of community activism, innovation, and the relentless quest for improvement in melanoma treatment. This initiative is a testament to the potential of research, funding, and collective determination in creating hope for countless lives impacted by melanoma.

For those wishing to learn more about this inspiring initiative or to get involved in fundraising efforts, further details are available at Paul Walks.

Let us support and celebrate the legacy of Chad Johnson while propelling forward the vital science that could change the face of melanoma treatment forever.