A successful scientist must have a sense of wonder.

Wonder drives Dr. Andras Lacko to continue doing innovative research at HSC past the age when many investigators hang up their lab coats. And wonder propels his relentless pursuit of a cancer treatment that kills cancer cells while sparing healthy cells.

He is working on a drug delivery system that uses good cholesterol-carrying (HDL) nanoparticles to selectively shrink or destroy tumors –  sort of a Trojan horse carrying drugs that kill cancer cells. Dr. Lacko is collaborating with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to advance this project toward clinical/human applications.

A Holocaust survivor who escaped from Hungary, Dr. Lacko has served as a mentor and model of resilience to the next generation of health professionals and scientists. Students are struck by his willingness to make sure they succeed and his positivity when they hit setbacks.

Observed one former student, “It’s a great experience when you can get even a small glimpse of his thought process.”

Dr. Lacko has served his community through volunteer work for the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Concerts in the Garden and The American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

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Contribute Honor your HSC hero today! Please make a tribute gift, submit a photo or share a story that you value. Join us throughout 2020 as we celebrate the people, events and innovations that made UNTHSC all it is today — and look ahead to the next 50 years. For the 50th anniversary, team members nominated people whose contributions make them HSC Heroes. Each week, a new Hero will be revealed. View the list of all our Hero profiles published so far this year. There is a new one each week.