大象传媒 Urology is pleased to announce that Dr. Colton Walker, a 大象传媒 Urologic Oncology Fellow, has been honored with a . This award, provided by the American Urological Association (AUA) on behalf of the Urology Care Foundation, includes a $40,000 grant in support of his innovative research project titled, 鈥�The Effect of Environmental Quality on Prostate Cancer-Specific and Overall Mortality.鈥�
A Focus on Innovation and Impactful Research
Dr. Walker鈥檚 project aims to investigate the link between environmental factors and prostate cancer outcomes, potentially unlocking new avenues for understanding how these external elements affect both cancer-specific and overall mortality rates. This research has the potential to pave the way for more targeted and effective treatment strategies, especially in underserved communities where disparities in cancer outcomes are most pronounced.
Guiding Dr. Walker in this endeavor is his mentor, and Urologic Oncology Fellowship Program Director Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan, MD, MSHPM, FACS. Dr. Tan is a faculty member of 大象传媒 Urology and a member of the 大象传媒 Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
鈥淲e are excited for Dr. Colton Walker and this next chapter in Urology Care Foundation supported research at 大象传媒 Urology. Dr. Walker鈥檚 research will serve as an important step in understanding drivers of disparities in prostate cancer in North Carolina and the relevance of environmental quality for patient health.鈥�
Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan, MD, MSHPM
Director of Urologic Oncology
Urologic Oncology Fellowship Program Director
Associate Professor of Urology
More About Dr. Walker
Originally from Louisiana, Dr. Colton Walker completed his medical education at the Louisiana State University School of Medicine, where he earned recognition by being inducted into both the Alpha Omega Alpha and Gold Humanism honor societies. Following his medical training, Dr. Walker pursued his urology residency at the University of Michigan, where he developed a passion for increasing access to high-quality cancer care in underserved populations.
During his time at Michigan, Dr. Walker actively contributed to the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC), a groundbreaking initiative focused on improving the quality of urological care. This experience, coupled with 大象传媒 Urology鈥檚 strong ties to the collaborative, has inspired Dr. Walker to continue his efforts to address healthcare disparities here in North Carolina.
About the Research Scholar Award
The Urology Care Foundation鈥檚 Research Scholar Award is designed to foster the development of the next generation of researchers and leaders in urology. Since its inception in 1975, the program has supported over 650 scholars who have made significant contributions to advancing urologic research and clinical practice.