Frank L. Meyskens honored

Frank is likely known to all PASPCR members, and there may be no need to delve into his great academic achievements, such as being the founding director of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at UC Irvine, the PASPCR president, and a leading physician for numerous clinical trials. Instead, I would like to share a glimpse of my personal experience, highlighting Frank’s warm and loving heart towards his patients and mentees.

After obtaining his MD from UC San Francisco and undergoing training at NIH, Frank worked as a physician at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. It was there that his encounter with a young female metastatic melanoma patient prompted his career switch to melanoma care and research. He documented this pivotal moment in his poem, which is featured in “Aching for Tomorrow,” his first published poetry book. Most of the poems in this series depict his compassion and profound understanding towards cancer patients. His second poetry book, “Believing in Today,” reflects the perspective of an aging scholar, aiming to impart the importance of perseverance and strength to the younger generation of scholars. I remember spending time in his garden with him, his wife Linda, and some others, listening to his stories and feeling the genuine love he had for all lives. These were moments of precious minds and precious time. What left a lasting impression on me was how, when talking to his patients, he would always hold their hands and speak softly about their situations, even when the outlook was not optimistic.

Frank has mentored extensively, from high school students to assistant professors and even some more established associate professors. I myself am fortunate to have been under his guidance for many years. He is the kind of mentor who allows mentees to carve their own path while selflessly sharing his insights. The fact that I transitioned from a molecular biologist in his lab to an epidemiologist speaks volumes. He is the dream mentor any junior researcher would desire.

Recently, I asked him, “What advice would you give to the younger generation of researchers?” He responded, “Designate one night a week to be with your spouse, significant other, or family, just to relax and maintain
resilience. Research demands dedication, and we have to learn to find balance.”

“To Life!” is his current email signature, and I would suggest the following: “To Frank!”