Beverly Torok-Storb Explained

Beverly Jo Torok-Storb
Death Place:Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Workplaces:Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Alma Mater:University of Pittsburgh
PennWest Edinboro
Thesis Title:Effects of murine genotype W/Wv on the proliferative response of various stem cell compartments
Thesis Url:https://worldcat.org/en/title/20532224
Thesis Year:1975

Beverly Jo Torok-Storb (1948 – May 5, 2023) was an American physician who was Professor of Clinical Research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Her work considered the stem cells that generate blood and the microenvironment of bone marrow.

Early life and education

Torok-Storb was born in 1948,[1] in Erie, Pennsylvania, where she was raised in a public housing project.[2] She became interested in biology during high school, then was an undergraduate student at PennWest Edinboro.[3] Torok-Storb worked toward her doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh.[4]

Research and career

Torok-Storb joined the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in 1978 and studied stem cells and the microenvironment of bone marrow. Her research identified the interactions between the stem cells in blood and the supportive cells in bone marrow, enabling critical transplants in leukemia and blood cancer.[5] Prior to the work of Torok-Storb, it was assumed that bone marrow stromal cells could be derived from Hematopoietic stem cells. In 1987, Torok-Storb showed that this was not possible.[6] She showed that cells within the bone marrow send signals to stem cells which determine whether transplantations are successful. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute awarded Torok-Storb a $16.7 million grant to develop stem cell therapies.[7]

Torok-Storb also worked with an animal model that could predict the outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplants in humans.[8]

Torok-Storb was part of the Cooperative Center of Excellence in Hematology.[9]

Academic service

Torok-Storb was an advocate for building a more inclusive academic culture.[10] She developed research opportunities for undergraduate students, high school students[11] and people from historically excluded groups.[12] [13] She said that her mentorship has come from her upbringing, “the only reason I made it as far as I did is because of special teachers along the way who let me know that I was capable and I could do it,”.

Death

Torok-Storb died at her home in Seattle, Washington, on May 5, 2023, at the age of 75.[14]

Awards

Notes and References

  1. Book: 1937-2012. Die Geschichte der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hämatologie und Onkologie im Spiegel ihrer Ehrenmitglieder. - "Verweigerte Ehre". Dokumentation zu Hans Hirschfeld . 2012 . DGHO . 55 . 9783000394874 . 25 May 2023.
  2. Web site: Spotlight on Beverly Torok-Storb . 2022-11-08 . Fred Hutch . en.
  3. Web site: Profiles PA State System of Higher Education . 2022-11-08 . www.passhe.edu.
  4. Web site: Beverly Torok-Storb, Ph.D. . 2022-04-27 . Fred Hutch . en.
  5. Web site: 2019-10-21 . Scientists discover new process shaping red blood cell development . 2022-11-08 . Fred Hutch . en.
  6. Simmons . Paul J. . Przepiorka . Donna . Thomas . E. Donnall . Torok-Storb . Beverley . 1987 . Host origin of marrow stromal cells following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation . Nature . en . 328 . 6129 . 429–432 . 10.1038/328429a0 . 1476-4687 . 2886914 . 4329862.
  7. Web site: 2015-09-27 . NHLBI Awards $170 Million to Fund Stem Cell Research . 2022-11-08 . National Institutes of Health (NIH) . EN.
  8. Hayes . Brian . Fagerlie . Sara R. . Ramakrishnan . Aravind . Baran . Szczepan . Harkey . Michael . Graf . Lynn . Bar . Merav . Bendoraite . Ausra . Tewari . Muneesh . Torok-Storb . Beverly . 2008 . Derivation, characterization, and in vitro differentiation of canine embryonic stem cells . Stem Cells . 26 . 2 . 465–473 . 10.1634/stemcells.2007-0640 . 1549-4918 . 18065395 . 21404978.
  9. Web site: Co-Operative Center for Excellence in Hematology . 2022-11-08 . Fred Hutch . en.
  10. Web site: Thakur . Jitendra . 2016-10-28 . Meet our mentor: Dr. Beverly Torok-Storb . 2022-11-08 . Hutch United Blog . en.
  11. Web site: 2015-06-30 . 'We look for that spark' . 2022-11-08 . Fred Hutch . en.
  12. Web site: Beverly Torok-Storb, Ph.D. . 2022-06-02 . Fred Hutch . en.
  13. Web site: 2016-10-06 . Good News: Hutch internship program widens educational clout; outpatient clinics open in Uganda; Dr. Stefan Radtke earns DGTI award . 2022-11-08 . Fred Hutch . en.
  14. Web site: Mapes . Diane . Fred Hutch pioneer Dr. Beverly Torok-Storb dies . Fred Hutch Cancer Center . 24 May 2023.
  15. Web site: Facts: Points of Pride PA State System of Higher Education . 2022-11-08 . www.passhe.edu.
  16. Web site: 2018-02-28 . Drs. Beverly Torok-Storb, Colleen Delaney receive Seattle AWIS Awards . 2022-05-23 . Fred Hutch . en.
  17. Web site: 2018-10-04 . Dr. Beverly Torok-Storb wins mentorship award . 2022-05-23 . Fred Hutch . en.
  18. Web site: 2021-07-02 . Fred Hutch announces recipients of inaugural diversity, equity and inclusion awards . 2022-05-23 . Fred Hutch . en.

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