Low to be honored by American Lung Association for cancer-fighting invention

The Purdue Bell Tower and spring flowers.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —

The American Lung Association in Indiana will honor Purdue University researcher Philip Low on April 13 at its annual gala in Indianapolis for his invention of CYTALUX, which helps in the fight against lung cancer.

Low, Purdue’s Presidential Scholar for Drug Discovery and the Ralph C. Corley Distinguished Professor of Chemistry in the College of Science, developed CYTALUX, an FDA-approved fluorescent marker that Illuminates lung cancer cells during surgery. This allows surgeons to quickly distinguish malignant cells from healthy cells and confirm that all malignant cells have been removed.

A member of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research and founder and chief science officer for On Target Laboratories, Low is being recognized with the association’s Legacy Award, which is given to individuals or organizations whose accomplishments have contributed to ending lung cancer.

More information is available on the Purdue Office of Research website.

Media are welcome to share, post and publish these stories, photos and videos.

Media contact: Amy Raley, araley@purdue.edu

More Purdue News

Research uses radar to expose sky’s organized, living habitat

January 15, 2026

Chemical engineering senior Anika Bhoopalam working in a Purdue lab.

Highly ranked: Purdue’s long-standing strengths in co-op and internship opportunities position it among nation’s best

January 15, 2026

Exterior of Westwood building

Office of Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars partners with Westwood’s Anthony Cawdron for self-guided etiquette course

January 14, 2026

Portable device detects pathogens’ diverse settings

January 13, 2026