Michelle A. Rudek, a professor of oncology and director of the Analytical Pharmacology Shared Resource at Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, died Nov. 7. She was 51.
As director of the Analytical Pharmacology Shared Resource, Rudek led a team that conducts tests to see how promising new drugs travel through the body, are absorbed, distributed, and metabolized, and what effect they have on cancer cells.
During her impactful career, Michelle built a strong laboratory research team and created strong collegial partnerships both at Johns Hopkins and other institutions. In particular, she collaborated closely with Michael Carducci and Judy Karp on testing drugs being used in the NCI Experimental Clinical Trials Network, leading one of two U24-funded central pharmacokinetic resource labs.
Her lab supports cancer drug discovery throughout the Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins, and beyond. She also researched and managed drug interactions among people with cancer who have underlying health conditions, such as liver or other organ dysfunction, to ensure they can safely receive anticancer drugs.
In 2019, Michelle was promoted to full professor; an accomplishment well deserved and showcased the importance of team science. She was the first non-physician recipient of NCI’s Michaele Christian Oncology Development and Lectureship Award, which recognized her leadership in translational research and clinical pharmacology.
In honor of Michelle A. Rudek, a fund has been established by her family and colleagues at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center to recognize her legacy.
A full obituary about Rudek appears on Dignitymemorial.com.
If you would like to make a gift, please make checks payable to Johns Hopkins University with a memo indicating that it is in honor of Dr. Rudek.
Mail to: Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, 750 E. Pratt Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202, or make a gift online (choose other and specify Dr. Michelle Rudek Fund).
