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Researchers and Staff
Cancer Center Update
October 11, 2005
Cancer Center Update is sent to Cancer Center members and staff every Tuesday at 10 a.m. To submit an item for publication, send the information to Sandi Sherman by noon the Friday before publication.
In This Issue:
Professional Education and Seminars
Grant Information & Announcements
Causes of childhood cancer: Where to next?
Julie Ross, Ph.D., Professor and Director, Division of Pediatric Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, Associate Director, Population Sciences, Masonic Cancer Center
A peek at next week’s seminar:
A multi pronged approach to cancer immunotherapy using mRNA transfected dendritic cells
Eli Gilboa, Ph.D., Professor and Director, Center for Genetic and Cellular Therapies, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center
Host: Wei Chen
For a complete schedule visit: http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/date.html
SPECIAL SEMINAR– CANCER CENTER DIRECTOR CANDIDATE
Wednesday, October 12, 2005, 12:00-1:00 p.m., 450 CCRB
Nancy E. Davidson, M.D.
Professor of Oncology, Breast Cancer Research Chair in Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore , MD
“Charting the future for the academic cancer center”
HEMATOLOGY, ONCOLOGY AND TRANSPLANTATION FACULTY CANDIDATE SEMINAR
Monday, October 17, 2005, 9:00 a.m., 450 CCRB
Jonathan Cheng, M.D., Associate Member, Division of Medical Sciences, Fox Chase Cancer Center
“Stromal fibroblasts as a therapeutic target”
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE CANCER CENTER HISTOPATHOLOGY CORE
Cathy S. Carlson, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP, Director, Histopathology Laboratory Core Facility sent Update the following announcement:
As many Cancer Center members already are aware, Dr. Nicole Kirchhof, the staff pathologist for the Masonic Cancer Center Histopathology Core, left the University of Minnesota at the end of July to pursue an opportunity in industry. Dr. Kirchhof was a tremendous asset to the core and we certainly were sorry to see her leave. We are pleased to announce, however, that we have identified another outstanding individual, Dr. Ilze Matise, who will be taking over Dr. Kirchhof’s responsibilities. Dr. Matise is a board-certified Veterinary Pathologist who did her pathology training and completed a PhD degree in Veterinary Pathology at Iowa State University. Dr. Matise worked as a diagnostic pathologist in the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for the past four years. Her first day of working for the core was September 19, 2005. We also have another new staff member, Aric Frantz, who began his position as an Assistant Scientist with the core on July 1, 2005. Aric previously had worked in a research laboratory at the University of Chicago and has a wealth of laboratory experience.
In order to help us better serve your research needs, please be sure to communicate your requests clearly in writing on the request form that is available on our website (http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/cores/histo.html). For questions regarding gross and histopathology tissue interpretation, please contact Dr. Ilze Matise: matis001@umn.edu; 625-4256. For questions regarding gross or histological/immunohistological preparations or imaging, please contact Aric Frantz: frant063@umn.edu; 625-7758. If you had previously been working with Dr. Kirchhof and will be continuing your project with Dr. Matise, please give Dr. Matise the information needed to ensure a smooth transition. She is happy to meet with investigators to provide input on project design and to ensure that the information provided by the core meets your needs. We thank you for your patience during this transition!
PLANNING FOR REORGANIZATION OF CANCER CENTER’S WEB SITE UNDERWAY
In last week’s Update, we announced that Gina Kennedy has been named senior web editor, responsible for the reorganization and redesign of the Masonic Cancer Center’s web site. This week we want to let you know that the reorganization process has started on two fronts:
- Content currently on the site is being inventoried, reviewed and updated.
- A plan is being developed to guide the reorganization and redesign in a collaborative, creative and systematic process. This plan will include goals and objectives for the new web site, plus a project timeline and maintenance schedule to assure that the information on the reorganized site remains accurate and current. It will be presented to various leadership groups for their information and support, and then it will be implemented.
Continue to watch Update for more information about the reorganization of the Masonic Cancer Center’s web site.
CANCER CENTER MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
John Kersey, M.D., was featured in news reports by WCCO-TV and Minnesota Daily Oct. 7 about the 30th anniversary of the world’s first successful bone marrow transplant for treatment of lymphoma. On Oct. 7, 1975, Dr. Kersey led the University of Minnesota team that performed the BMT on patient David Stahl, then 16 years old. Stahl is now 46 years of age, married, father of an 11-year old son, employed as an illustrator, and by his account, enjoying a very happy life. To watch the WCCO-TV report, click http://wcco.com/health/local_story_282100722.html
Kristin Anderson, Ph.D., will be featured in a news report about cancer myths, scheduled to air on the 10 p.m.,Thursday, Oct. 13 newscast on WCCO-TV. Joanne Disch, Ph.D., director of the Densford Center for Nursing Leadership, will talk about cancer myths as a cancer survivor.
HATSUKAMI, HECHT AND YEE WILL PARTICIPATE IN PRESS CONFERENCE, GIVE PLENARY PRESENTATION AT AACR MEETING
Abstracts submitted by Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., and Stephen Hecht, Ph.D., will be featured in press conferences taking place during the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference, Oct. 30-Nov. 2 in Baltimore.
Dr. Hatsukami will discuss for the media covering the conference her abstract on “Nicotine Vaccine: A Promising Treatment for Nicotine Addiction,” and Dr. Hecht will do the same about his abstract on “Carcinogen Exposure Across Oral Tobacco and Medicinal Nicotine Products.”
Dr. Hatsukami also is the chairperson for the session on “Cancer Prevention: Innovative Methods to Treat Tobacco Dependence.” She will present information about her nicotine vaccine research during that session, and Dr. Hecht will discuss “Smokeless Tobacco: Reduction in Carcinogen Exposure and Cancer?” during that session. In another session, Dr. Hecht will present information about his research on “Tobacco-specific Nitrosamines: From Basic Chemistry to Tobacco Control,” and he also will participate in an educational session, discussing “Phenotypic Biomarkers Related to Human Carcinogen Exposure and Metabolic Activation.”
Doug Yee, M.D., will give a plenary address during the session on Cancer Prevention and Promising Molecular Targets about his research on “Disruption of IGF Signaling in Cancer.”
We would like to know if other Cancer Center members are giving presentations at the upcoming AACR meeting. Email your name and name of your presentation to Sandi Sherman at sherm019@umn.edu.
CANCER CENTER MEMBER CO-CHAIRS NCI SEMINAR SESSION
Bruce Blazar, M.D., co-chaired the Transplantation and Anti-tumor Therapies session at the NCI-sponsored Translational Immunology Related to Cancer Conference, Sept. 22-23 at NIH in Bethesda. Dr. Blazar also was one of the session’s speakers, discussing use of T regulatory cells in allogenic hematopoietic cell transplantation.
REMINDER: CANCER U ASK THE EXPERT PROGRAM, OCT. 22
Ruth Bachman, member of the Masonic Cancer Center’s Advisory Board and survivor of soft tissue sarcoma, will lead a panel of survivors in discussing the challenges they have encountered and the choices they have made in their life after cancer at the Oct. 22 Cancer U: Ask the Expert program.
The program is an opportunity for attendees to hear the survivors’ stories and share their own experiences with cancer. It will held 9 -11 a.m. in the Ski-U-Mah Room, McNamara Alumni Center. The four-member panel will include survivors of lymphoma and bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer and rectal cancer.
There is no charge for the program, but pre-registration is requested because seating is limited. For more information about the program, parking and registration, call 1-888-CANCERMN (1-888-226-2376), or send email to ccinfo@umn.edu, or visit the Masonic Cancer Center’s web site at www.cancer.umn.edu/
NATIONAL WORK AND FAMILY MONTH
We are pleased to announce that the WorkLife Effectiveness Program is
one of the recipients of the 2005 Working Family Support Award! With
this distinction, the University is recognized as an employer who
allocates resources for employees to participate in educational
opportunities designed to enhance skills for balancing work and family.
October is National Work and Family Month, and the WorkLife
Effectiveness Program offers exciting and diverse program options. No
matter the stage of life, resources are available to help you navigate
changes in your personal and professional life!
For detailed information and to register for the programs listed below, go to www.umn.edu/ohr/worklife.
Job Stress/Burnout in Your Career
Thursday, October 13, 11:30 a.m-1 p.m., McNeal 274
Supervisory Cinema: Dealing with Conflict
Tuesday, October 18, 12-1:30 p.m., 125 Coffey
Midlife Career Development
Tuesday, October 11, 9 a.m.-12 p., 210 Donhowe
Wednesday, October 26, 11:30 a.m-1 p.m., McNeal 22
Renewing Your WorkLife
Wednesday, October 19, 11:30 a.m-1 p.m., 215 Donhowe
Posture Principles for Everyone
Thursday, October 20, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 215 Donhowe
Homework: Its Impact on Learning and Your Family
Friday, October 21, 11:30 a.m-12:45 p.m., 210 Donhowe
Buying a House: Realizing the American Dream
Monday, October 24, 12-1 p.m., 210 Donhowe
Weight Loss and Exercise — 9 to 5
Tuesday, October 25, 12-1 p.m., 215 Donhowe
CANCER CENTER RECOGNITION EVENT SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 3
The Basic Sciences recognition event will be held Thursday, November 3, 2005 at 3:00pm in 450 CCRB. Tucker LeBien, Ph.D., associate and deputy director, will highlight activities and research in the area of Basic Sciences and honor outstanding contributors to the Masonic Cancer Center mission.
Nominations for the outstanding contributor award in Basic Sciences will be accepted through October 25. Persons working in Cancer Progression & Metastasis, Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer, Immunology and Research Core Facilities as well as other staff and faculty contributing to the Masonic Cancer Center in these areas are eligible for this award. Outstanding contributor awards are given to recognize employees for their performance. Examples might be:
- Continued/sustained excellent job performance.
- Contributions to the Masonic Cancer Center resulting, for example, in increased efficiency, increased quality of service, cost savings, or successful crisis management.
- Significant contribution to a Cancer Center program, project or operation; and/or
- Special service to a Cancer Center program, project or operational unit.
Nominees do not need to be Cancer Center employees. Nominations may be submitted on-line at http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/recogform.html. Hard copies of the nomination form also are available from Melissa Daufelt at cchr@umn.edu. Return the completed form to Cancer Center Human Resources at MMC 806.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH GRANT
American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant applications are being accepted until October 17, 2005. This grant is for assistant professors who have no independent national funding and are engaged in cancer-related research. Cancer-related research includes genetic mechanisms of cancer, molecular mechanisms of cancer progression and metastasis, development of novel cancer therapeutic models and translational research, cancer immunology and immunotherapy.
Funding is available up to $20,000. Applications may be obtained by calling 612-626-1926 or sending email to micek003@umn.edu.
MENTORED RESEARCH SCIENTIST DEVELOPMENT AWARED (K01)
This is a reissue of PA-00-019 , which was previously released December 2, 1999.
Release Date: October 4, 2005
Expiration Date: January 3, 2009
Application Receipt Dates: February 1, June 1, October 1
AIDS-Related Application Receipt Dates: January 2, May 1, September 1
The purpose of the Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) is to provide support and “protected time” (three, four, or five years) for an intensive, supervised career development experience in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences leading to research independence. Awards are not renewable, nor are they transferable from one principal investigator to another. This funding opportunity will use the NIH K01 award mechanism. As an applicant, the candidate and his/her mentor will be jointly responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project and career development activities.
http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-001.html#SectionII
To view all grants available through the Masonic Cancer Center, visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/grantopp.html
CARCINOGENESIS AND CHEMOPREVENTION SEMINAR
Thursday, October 13, 2005, 4:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
Chronic Myleogenous Leukemia (CML): Current Progress and New Drugs
Krzysztof Pankiewicz, Ph.D., Center for Drug Design and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota
For a complete schedule visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/carcinogen.html
CORE CURRICULUM SEMINAR
Friday, October 14, 2005, 10:00 a.m., 450 CCRB
Oncological Emergencies
Randy Hurley, M.D., Assistant Professor, Regions Hospital
For a complete schedule visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/coreseminar.html
CANCER BIOLOGY RESEARCH CLUB
Friday, October 14, 2005, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 450 CCRB
LMI immunotherapy: Murine models and clinical trials
Julie M. Curtsinger, Ph.D., Mescher Lab
For a complete schedule visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/grant7.html
BMT CONFERENCE
Monday, October 17, 2005, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
Stem Cells: From clinic to bench to clinic
Dan S. Kaufman, M.D., Ph.D. , Assistant Professor, Stem Cell Institute and, Dept. of Medicine, Division of HOT, University of Minnesota
For a complete schedule visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/bmtlect.html
REMINDERS
ATTENTION BENEFITS ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES: UPLAN MEDICAL OPTIONS ARE CHANGING FOR 2006.
Employee Benefits is sponsoring informational sessions on your new UPlan medical options for 2006. Medica and HealthPartners will be the medical plan administrators for 2006 and will provide a comparable range of plan types from which to choose. Plan options from Medica will be the new low-cost plans throughout the state. RxAmerica will provide the prescription drug coverage for all the plan options. Because the plan options and low-cost plans are new for 2006, you must make an online election during Open Enrollment in order to have medical coverage for the 2006 plan year. The schedule for informational sessions can be viewed at http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/eb/uplan/openenroll/forums.html. Plan representatives from Medica, HealthPartners, and RxAmerica will be on hand to answer your questions. Delta Dental and HealthPartners Dental will also be represented at the sessions.
VOLVO FOR LIFE DAYS TO AID PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH
Volvo for Life Days is a fundraising event for pediatric cancer research. This national event partners Volvo dealerships with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, which honors Alexandra Scott, a young cancer patient from Philadelphia who gained national attention for her efforts to raise money for pediatric cancer by holding annual lemonade stands. Alex died in 2004 at age eight, but her family continues her mission. During Oct. 8-16, the three Volvo dealerships in the greater metro area will make a donation for each person taking a new Volvo for a test drive. Then at the Oct. 15 Minnesota Gophers and Wisconsin Badgers football game, local Volvo dealers will staff a lemonade stand outside the Metro Dome for game goers to enjoy a lemonade and make a donation to pediatric cancer research. The Masonic Cancer Center will receive half of the proceeds raised locally. The other half will go to Alex's Foundation and be awarded as grants to pediatric cancer researchers.