News Release

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UNC’s Pisano to deliver address
at December commencement

By KELLY OCHS
UNC News Services

CHAPEL HILL — A UNC researcher who has recently made international headlines will speak to graduating students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s December commencement ceremony.

Dr. Etta Pisano, director of UNC’s Biomedical Research Imaging Center and Kenan professor of radiology and biomedical engineering, will speak at the ceremony, which will be at 2 p.m. on Dec. 18 in the Dean E. Smith Center.

Pisano is best known for her research on improving breast cancer detection technology. Earlier this month, Pisano’s role as principal investigator in a digital mammography research study landed her in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and newspapers in China, Canada and Australia, among others. The four-year study of almost 50,000 women in the United States showed that new digital mammography allows doctors to detect between 15 and 28 percent more cancers in women under 50. The new technology, which was introduced in 2001, provides doctors with more flexibility in viewing mammograms.

"Etta Pisano exemplifies the notion of the engaged, skilled administrator, the first-rate scientist and the person who is engaged in her community all at once," said Steve Allred, executive associate provost at UNC and chairman of the commencement committee.

Pisano, who graduated from Duke University’s School of Medicine in 1983, has worked at UNC since 1989 when she started as chief of breast imaging and assistant professor of radiology. She is chair of the Status of Women Committee, which addresses the concerns and status of women on the faculty at UNC.

"I hope I have something that will resonate with the graduates, that will be important for them and their families to hear," Pisano said. "I care a lot about this community. It’s going to be an interesting experience for me. I hope I rise to it."

The December commencement speaker is generally selected from a list provided by a speaker advisory committee made up of four students, the faculty chair, the faculty secretary, two distinguished faculty members and the chair of the commencement committee. The committee submits names to Chancellor James Moeser who makes the official decision.

Parking for commencement will be available in the Manning, Bowles and Hinton James lots and the Craige Parking Deck. A reception on the concourse will follow the ceremony.

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(Ochs is a senior journalism and mass communication major from Winston-Salem.)

For more information on December commencement, visit: http://www.unc.edu/commencement/

Photo URL: www.unc.edu/news/pics/faculty/pisano_etta.jpg

News release on Pisano’s most recent research: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/sep05/acrin091605.htm

More information on Pisano’s research expertise: https://s4.its.unc.edu/UNCExperts/uncexperts/name?name=Pisano

News Services contact: Lisa Katz, (919) 962-2093 or lisa_katz@unc.edu