Scientific Peer Review of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs’ Melanoma Research Program for the Department of Defense

The MRF is proud to share the following press release from the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program announcing MRF Board Chair (and melanoma survivor) Doug Brodman’s participation in the review of applications for a $30 million appropriation for federal melanoma research funding:

The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs’ (CDMRP), Melanoma Research Program (MRP) consumer advocate, Doug Brodman, recently participated in the evaluation of research applications submitted to the MRP. Doug was nominated for participation in the program by the Melanoma Research Foundation in Washington, DC. As a consumer reviewer, Doug was a full voting member (along with prominent scientists) at meetings to help determine how the $30 million appropriated by Congress for Fiscal Year 2021 will be spent on melanoma research.

Consumer reviewers are asked to represent the collective view of patients by preparing comments on the impact of the research on issues such as diagnosis, treatment and quality of life. When commenting on serving as a consumer reviewer, Doug said that, “bringing the patient perspective is a valuable addition to the scientific review to provide a full view of the potential in these research programs.”

Consumer advocates and scientists have worked together in this unique partnership to evaluate the merit of research applications since FY19. COL Sarah B. Goldman, Director of the CDMRP, expressed her appreciation for the consumer advocates’ hard work. “Integrating consumer perspectives into our decision-making process brings energy and focus to our research programs. Patients, caregivers, family members, and advocates help us keep our efforts centered around what is truly important to those impacted. We very much value this critical input from our consumers who help ensure that CDMRP’s work remains critical and relevant,” she said.

Researchers applying to the MRP propose to promote earlier interventions to enhance mission readiness and diminish melanoma burden on Service Members, Veterans, and the American public. The MRP fills important gaps by supporting groundbreaking research while encouraging out-of-the-box thinking.

More information about the CDMRP’s MRP is available at the website: https://cdmrp.army.mil/MRP/default.

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Media Contact:

Kate Poindexter
Public Affairs Specialist
Ripple Effect
Supporting the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs,
USAMRDC
301-619-7783
[email protected]