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World-renowned UA researcher dies

World-renowned UA cancer prevention researcher Larry Clark died Monday from complications related to prostate cancer, which was the focus of his most famous study. He was 51.

Clark directed the Nutritional Prevention of Cancer Projects in Selenium at the Arizona Cancer Center until his death, and was an associate professor in the nutritional sciences department.

He was best known for his research with the use of the element selenium - the active ingredient in dandruff shampoo - in preventing colon, prostate and lung cancer.

Clark's study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in December 1996, gave the first evidence of a link between selenium and cancer prevention.

Clark received his bachelor's degree at Alma College in Michigan in 1970. While working at a Smallpox Eradication Program in Ethiopia, he developed an interest in epidemiology.

Clark returned to school and completed his master's degree in public health in epidemiology at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1974. He continued his studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and received his doctoral degree in 1981.

Before joining the UA College of Medicine in 1987, Clark worked as an assistant professor of epidemiology at Cornell University, in Ithaca, N.Y.

He was awarded the "Pioneer Science Award" in October 1997 for his research on selenium and cancer.

Laurie Young, director of communication and outreach for the Arizona Cancer Center, said "you couldn't mention selenium without talking about (Clark)."

"He was dedicated to his research and committed to his work," Young added.

Young recalled the night when Clark released the results of his study on selenium and cancer prevention.

"He was so excited about his study that he stayed in his office until 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve to answer all of the reporters' questions. He wanted to make sure they got all of the information for their articles," she said. "He was completely dedicated."

She added that Clark did an excellent job of getting grants for the Cancer Center, and that Clark's research will continue.

James Marshall, professor of public health, is expected to take over Clark's current studies.

Over the course of his studies, Clark authored 29 journal articles and served on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Program in 1995.

Clark is survived by his wife, Louanne, and his daughter, Julia.

"This is an unfortunate loss for the cancer research community," Young said.