Britney Harris M.D.

Earning the Laurence and Jean DeLynn Cancer Research Fellowship has allowed Dr. Britney Harris to explore new and better treatment therapies for pancreatic cancer.

Harris, a trainee in the West Virginia University School of Medicine general surgery residency program, has been selected for the second year of the fellowship. She is currently a member of the laboratory of Dr. Brian Boone, where she is completing her research. 

Cancer research and advocacy have long been a part of Harris’ life. She became involved in American Cancer Society Relay for Life events in high school after several loved ones were diagnosed with the disease. 

“My experience coupled with my training inspired me to follow this path towards helping others and extend my research commitment,” Harris said. “One of the things that appeals to me about oncology is that it is always evolving and improving and there will always be new things that I can learn.” 

The late DeLynns were longtime supporters of WVU and the WVU Cancer Institute. Much of their philanthropy centered around education, and they gave back in many ways to support the WVU Cancer Institute. In addition to the fellowship, they established the DeLynn Lecture Series, the Jean L. and Laurence S. DeLynn Chair of Oncology and the Laurence and Jean DeLynn Professorship in Cancer.  

The DeLynns also had a tremendous impact on the development and growth of the WVU Cancer Institute Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center. Jean helped organize the first statewide fundraising extravaganza to have the Center built in Morgantown.  

The DeLynns’ generosity has helped Harris follow her passion and continue her research on pancreatic cancer. A native of Indiana, Harris earned her undergraduate degree in biology from Purdue University before pursuing medicine at WVU.  

“Dr. Harris has shown true consistency in her passion for research that began in medical school that has continued through her residency and exemplifies a dedication to this profession and her patients,” Boone, a surgical oncologist at the WVU Cancer Institute and assistant professor of Microbiology, Immunology & Cell Biology in the School of Medicine, said. “I am thrilled that Britney has been presented this award, which allows her to pursue research that will lead to better treatments and allow us to save more patients from pancreatic cancer.”