C. Norman Coleman’s Legacy in Radiation Research and Global Health: A Cancer Research and Care Perspective

Dr. C. Norman Coleman's impact is difficult to measure overall, even if one focuses only on his work as NCI's Radiation Research Program (RRP) leader. His laboratory work spanned immune-oncology and radiation therapy, RNA biology, normal tissue and tumor tissue radiobiology, and the development of tissue chips for use in radiation biology research. His programmatic leadership helped the RRP develop health equity programs addressing Native American access to optimal cancer care, evaluation of hadron therapy biology, radiation biology, reproducibility and rigor, foundational molecular biology of the tumor and normal tissue caused by radiation therapy dynamically, and global health and security issues. While doing all these things, he found time to mentor countless people in the field, many now leaders, and to read and discuss science across disciplines. He was a dedicated, caring, kind scientist who truly wanted to help and improve the world for others.