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Dr. Keli Xu, associate professor in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, examines mammogram tissue as part of his research on pancreatic and breast cancer. The $4 million funding boost will help the Cancer Center recruit and retain top cancer researchers which supports efforts toward achieving NCI designation.
Dr. Keli Xu, associate professor in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, examines mammogram tissue as part of his research on pancreatic and breast cancer. The $4 million funding boost will help the Cancer Center recruit and retain top cancer researchers which supports efforts toward achieving NCI designation.

Mississippi Legislature boosts funding, advancing cancer research and NCI designation efforts

During the 2024 Legislative Session, funding for the Cancer Center and Research Institute received a significant boost, with state lawmakers approving a $4 million increase. This increase raises the CCRI appropriation to $9 million from the $5 million allocated annually in recent years. The funding is divided between the Tobacco Control Fund, which is supported by the state’s tobacco settlement and state general funds.

The additional funding strengthens the Cancer Center’s ability to recruit and retain leading experts in the field of cancer research while working towards achieving NCI designation.

To achieve NCI designation, a cancer center needs at least $10 million in direct funding for cancer research that is awarded competitively. The funding must support at least three formal cancer research programs, each staffed by a strong team of researchers. Additionally, each program should focus on a cancer issue that is relevant to people in Mississippi.

Leslie Musshafen 2022
Dr. Leslie Musshafen

“The additional state support we’ve received this year allows us to attract cutting-edge researchers in our program areas of emphasis, either already with funding that counts towards the needed $10M threshold, or who show great promise of receiving such funding in the future,” said Dr. Leslie Musshafen, associate director of administration of the CCRI and assistant professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine. “This accelerates discovery, our ability to educate the next generation of clinicians and researchers and to translate discoveries into cures.”

The Legislature's support of cancer research was made possible through the efforts of Appropriations Chairmen John Read, Briggs Hopson and Clay Deweese, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, Speaker of the House Jason White and Gov. Tate Reeves. Their leadership has been instrumental in securing funding for this vital work.