In 1981, the La Jolla Cancer Research Foundation, the Cancer Center first received its National Cancer Institute-designation. The Foundation, stablished in 1976 and now known as the Burnham Institute, was founded by William (Bill) H. Fishman, M.D., Ph.D., and his wife Lillian Fishman, M.Ed. Located in San Diego, the Institute was originally focused on oncodevelopment — the study of developmental biology in conjunction with oncology, as a means to better understand the elusive and deadly nature of cancer.