Dr. Peter Steck

Peter Steck joined the graduate program in Biochemistry at Michigan State in 1977 and received his Ph.D. degree in 1981. Peter served on the faculty in the Department of Tumor Biology and Neuro-Oncology at the M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute in Houston, Texas. His work has been acclaimed for the discovery of a new tumor suppressor gene, designated PTEN/MMAC1 (mutated multiple advanced cancer). They found that the gene was missing or mutated in a high percentage of brain, breast and prostate cancers. Unfortunately, this productive career was cut short suddenly when Peter passed away in August, 2000.