Renowned cancer researcher, 47, tragically dies of disease she was working to cure
Dr Rachna Shroff, a 47-year-old University of Arizona cancer researcher, has died from an aggressive cancer. She was internationally recognised for advancing research into bile duct, pancreatic and other digestive system cancers, helping to change treatment options for patients.
Shroff joined the university in 2018 and led clinical trials as a principal investigator. After learning this year that her cancer was terminal, she established an award for early-career researchers in biliary cancers and raised more than $1.35 million for future research. She published more than 80 papers and gave over 130 talks, and leaves her husband and two children.
- Cancer researcher Rachna Shroff has died aged 47.
- Her trials helped advance treatment for bile duct cancer.
- She raised more than $1.35 million for young researchers.
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Cancer researchers study how tumours develop and test ways to prevent or treat them. Bile duct and pancreatic cancers affect parts of the digestive system and can be difficult to treat, so research into new options is important for patients.
Dr Rachna Shroff was a University of Arizona researcher who led clinical trials, studies that assess treatments in people. Her work focused on digestive system cancers, including bile duct and pancreatic cancer, and contributed to changes in the treatments available to patients.
Research also depends on training new scientists and funding further studies. Shroff’s award for early-career researchers and fundraising were intended to support future work in biliary cancers, which affect the bile ducts and nearby system.