Established December 2000

The James Graham Brown Foundation Chair Endowed Professorship is used to recruit a translational scientist who works to understand the biochemical and biophysical mechanisms behind tumor development. The state's Research Challenge Trust Fund matched the gift.

The James Graham Brown Foundation was incorporated in 1954 from the assets of Brown, an area entrepreneur who made most of his wealth in the timber industry. The foundation supports projects in the fields of civic affairs, economic development, education and health in Kentucky.

In 2002 the foundation pledged the largest single gift in the university's history -- $15 million to support cancer research and patient care. The foundation pledged an additional $15 million in 2004 to the cancer center’s Finding Answers to Cancer campaign.