SHREVEPORT, La. — LSU Health Shreveport, in collaboration with the LSU Health Sciences Foundation, hosted the inaugural Rasberry Lecture on May 1, welcoming internationally recognized immunologist Dr. Michael A. Curran from MD Anderson Cancer Center as the event’s distinguished speaker.
The Rasberry Family Endowed Lecture Series, established in 2024 through the generosity of W. Clinton “Bubba” Rasberry and his family, aims to bring leading voices in biomedical research to North Louisiana. The series also serves to spotlight the newly opened Center for Medical Education’s auditorium—now named the Rasberry Auditorium in honor of Rasberry’s longtime commitment to advancing healthcare education.
“Our family is honored to support LSU Health Shreveport in bringing world-class biomedical leaders to our community,” said Rasberry. “We believe that knowledge drives innovation, and innovation saves lives. It is our hope that the Rasberry Lecture Series will inspire future breakthroughs and foster meaningful discussions that lead to better healthcare outcomes for all.”
Ahead of the lecture, a special recognition ceremony was held for the Rasberry family and former State Senator Greg Tarver, a dedicated advocate for LSUHS.
More than 100 students, faculty, and community members gathered to hear Dr. Curran deliver his lecture titled, “Cancer Immunotherapy: Today’s Breakthroughs, Tomorrow’s Possibilities.” Dr. Curran is a professor of Immunology at MD Anderson and a pioneering researcher in the field of T cell co-inhibitory receptor blockade, a discovery that laid the foundation for modern FDA-approved immunotherapies.
Dr. Curran received his Ph.D. in Immunology from Stanford University and conducted postdoctoral research under Nobel Laureate Dr. James P. Allison at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. His work has contributed significantly to the development of treatments for immune-resistant cancers, including pancreatic, prostate, and brain tumors. In 2019, he founded ImmunoGenesis, Inc., a clinical-stage biotech firm focused on next-generation cancer therapies.
“Thanks to the generosity of the Rasberry family, we are bringing world-class biomedical leaders to Shreveport, inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals and researchers,” said Dr. Oren Rom, Associate Dean for Basic and Translational Research at LSUHS. “Dr. Curran’s groundbreaking work embodies the spirit of discovery that drives our mission.”
The Rasberry Lecture Series continues LSU Health Shreveport’s tradition of advancing education, research, and clinical care, with plans for future events that will further elevate the institution’s profile as a center for biomedical excellence.