Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College recognized Claire Thuning-Roberson ’67, Ph.D., as the 2021 Distinguished Alumna during its commencement ceremonies.
Since 2003, the Distinguished Alumni Award has been presented to the most prestigious alumni of SMWC. Thuning-Roberson had to wait to be recognized as the College postponed the tradition last year due to the pandemic.
“Thuning-Roberson’s leadership as a woman in science and her work to advance cancer treatments have provided immeasurable contributions to society. Her legacy is one to be celebrated by future generations, and we are so grateful to what she has given The Woods and our world,” said Dottie L. King, Ph.D., president.
Her interest in medicine was inspired in grade school by Mother Cabrini.
Thuning-Roberson said, “I applied to enter the Medical Mission Sisters after my freshman year at The Woods but was not accepted, so returned for my sophomore year. Sister Mary Joseph Pomeroy provided a good sounding board for me at that time in my life, helping me to redirect my interest in medicine. I remember so well a quote from Dr. Mary Jo Brandt, class of ’66, who said that The Woods taught her how to think, not what to think. It is this lesson, this gift and the friendships with professors, classmates and other alums that have enriched my life and brings me back to The Woods.”
After graduating from SMWC with a degree in biology in 1967, Thuning-Roberson returned home to Cleveland, Ohio, and began working as a medical tech and a researcher at St. Vincent Hospital.
“Her passion for science and innovation provided her with a strong foundation, and true to her Woods roots, she took these and sought to effect change as a woman in science. Her legacy is truly remarkable,” said King.
“After I graduated, I began reading the many books about St. Mother Theodore Guerin and her life’s journey. I feel especially connected to her,” said Thuning-Roberson. “Though well known for her advancement of education in France and then in the U.S., she also studied pharmacy and medicine and opened free pharmacies for the poor in Indiana. She remains a distinguished role model for me for her knowledge and application of medicine and her entrepreneurial spirit.”
Now, semi-retired, Thuning-Roberson, serves as the president and chief executive officer of H2Biologics, a biotechnology start-up company. By leveraging the skills of its team in design, H2Biologics focuses on the in-licensing, development and manufacturing of targeted immunotherapeutics for the treatment of cancers with unmet needs. Using technology from NIH and MD Anderson Cancer Center, the company has created a fusion protein as treatment for mesothelioma, ovarian, pancreatic and lung cancers. She also continues to serve as a consultant for the cardiology medical device company OrbusNeich for whom she worked the last nine years.
Thuning-Roberson said that her career has been one that has extensive cross-functional experience in all aspects of biologics and new chemical entity clinical development with an emphasis on chemistry, manufacturing and controls.
Over the course of 50 years, she has been published in more than 15 peer-reviewed scientific journals, holds a scientific patent, presented at international scientific conferences, held multi-disciplinary positions in clinical and non-clinical development of therapeutic proteins, and worked directly with regulatory agencies in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan.
While studying and teaching at Nova University, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where she earned a master’s degree in cell biology in 1977 and a Ph.D. in biological science in 1982, Thuning-Roberson began her decades of work with the Goodwin Institute for Cancer Research in 1974 as a research associate. By 1990 she was the director of the Goodwin Institute.
As director, Thuning-Roberson managed research in areas of tumor models for drug screening, autoimmune diseases, and viral vaccines and collaborated with the National Cancer Institute to evaluate cancer treatment modalities. In 1993, she designed and built Goodwin Biotechnology, a contract manufacturing corporation that, under her direction as president and chief executive officer, assisted medical centers and biotech industry sponsors in advancing more than 30 drug candidates into Phase I and II clinical trials.
Thuning-Roberson has shared her expertise with the broad scientific community throughout her career. Just a few examples include her years of service as adjunct staff in the Division of Laboratory Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, Florida and Chair and member of Scientific Advisory Boards at several universities. Additionally, as head of Product Development at Sunol Molecular Corporation and Thallion Pharmaceuticals, she interfaced with regulatory agencies worldwide, advancing multiple products into clinical trials. She has influenced the advancement of innovative products and technology that improves lives and promotes Florida’s economy through her service as Chair of BioFlorida, a 6,700-member organization representing the life sciences industry in Florida. As a champion for ethical research, she chaired the Florida organization, Citizens for Science and Ethics. She has served as an invited speaker at several state conferences before Florida and Wisconsin state senate committees.
“Innovator. Researcher. Scientist. Entrepreneur. And, of course, Woodsie. The list could go on for pages and pages to list the volume of Claire’s life and work,” said Karen Dyer, vice president for advancement and strategic initiatives. “And, in addition, she does all these things with a love for God and with a passion for life that makes her so deserving of this award.”
“We all ask ourselves periodically throughout life if we are on the right path — if we are making a difference. This reoccurring question was quelled in me by the memorable quotation from Mother Theodore: What must we do to become saints? Nothing extraordinary, only that which we do every day — only do it for love of God,” said Thuning-Roberson in her remarks upon the acceptance of her award.
In addition to her career, SMWC has been the beneficiary of Claire’s commitment to give back as she served on both the Alumni Board and as a trustee of the College.
Dyer said, “Claire helped to lay a strong foundation for where we are today. This includes our work to engage with alumni while providing such wonderful guidance to the Alumni team and administration during a time of great change at the institution.”
Outside of her scientific work, one of her passionate avocations in the arts is music. She has written music and lyrics for more than 15 songs, of which she recorded and has a copyright for three.