In Memoriam: Susan Bell Nyland, PhD, Cancer Researcher

Susan Bell Nyland, 60, an assistant research professor of medicine in the UVA Division of Hematology-Oncology, died on Friday, March 24, 2017, at her home in Lake Monticello.

Dr. Nyland received a Ph.D. in medical science from the University of South Florida in 2001, and dedicated her professional career to the discovery of cures for HIV/AIDS and leukemia.

She was a vital member of the research team headed by Cancer Center director Thomas Loughran, MD, working for him first at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, Florida, and then at the Penn State Cancer Institute in Hershey, Pennsylvania. When Dr. Loughran came to UVA in 2013 to take up an appointment as head of the Cancer Center, Susan came with him.

“Susan was a dear friend and long-time collaborator. She was passionate about her work, and really looked forward to discussions with our patients,” says Dr. Loughran.

Susan’s primary research focus was characterizing the potential viral contribution to the pathogenesis of large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia. The funding for this research came from a prestigious “provocative question” (PQ) grant from the National Cancer Institute.

Susan waged her own personal battle with cancer. David Feith, Ph.D., another close colleague of Susan’s, says that over the 17 years she was a cancer patient she “suffered many setbacks associated with the progression of her disease, but always showed remarkable tenacity in pressing on with her research.” In the month before she died, he notes, she managed to submit a manuscript as first author to the prestigious journal Blood, and last December she attended the 28th International Workshop on Retroviral Pathogenesis in New Orleans.

Susan’s colleagues and friends at UVA extend their gratitude and appreciation to the many UVA Health System clinicians and staff members involved in her care over the last three years. Dr. Feith says that, “Throughout, health system staff maintained high standards and provided excellent care.” He especially wanted to recognize “the expert and compassionate care of her oncologist, Dr. Patrick Dillon.”

Susan is survived by her husband, Ronald, and two children, Michael and Claire; her memorial service was held on April 1. A full obituary can be found here.

Filed Under: News and Notes

Tags: DOM, Hematology, In Memoriam