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Researchers and Staff
June 5, 2007
In This Issue
Funding News and Opportunities
News
Gellar, Skubitz receive Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance awards
The Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance recently awarded $100,000 to Masonic Cancer Center researchers. Melissa Geller, M.D., member of the Translational Research Program and assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, was awarded $25,000. Gellar's grant project is "Phase II study of 852A administered subcutaneously in patients with metastatic ovarian, fallopian tube, primary peritoneal carcinoma." Amy Skubitz, Ph.D., member of the Cancer Progression and Metastasis Program and associate professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, was awarded $75,000. Skubitz's grant project is "Validation of potential biomarkers for ovarian cancer discovered by DIGE and iTraq." See the Masonic Cancer Center Web site for more information.
Cancer Center members receive research grants
Sundaram Ramakrishnan, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and member of the Cancer Progression and Metastasis Program, received a $15,000 grant from Twin Cities-based Cancurables Foundation for his continued research in anti-angiogenic gene therapy for ovarian cancer.
Michele Allen, M.D., received a $195,000 Cancer Control Career Development Award from the American Cancer Society to conduct a pilot study aimed at helping immigrant Latino parents learn how to prevent their adolescent children from beginning tobacco and other substance use. She will partner with a community advisory board composed of Latino parents and leaders from schools, health care, and neighborhood organizations to design and conduct the study.
Kudos
Congratulations to Yoji Shimizu, Ph.D., leader of the Masonic Cancer Center's Immunology Program, on his election as president of Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless, a charitable fund that makes grants to agencies throughout Minnesota.
Kudos to Norma Ramsay, M.D., who will be the first recipient of the Relentless for a Cure Award. The award, presented by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, is given to an outstanding Minnesota medical professional for contributions and accomplishments in the field of blood cancer. Ramsay, a professor emeritus in the Department of Pediatrics and a former co-leader of the Masonic Cancer Center's Transplant Biology and Therapy Program, will be honored at the Man & Woman of the Year Grand Finale Gala on June 15 in Golden Valley.
Welcome Heather Nelson, Ph.D.
The Cancer Center welcomes Heather Nelson, M.P.H, Ph.D., who has joined the Prevention and Etiology Program and is an associate professor in the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health. Before coming to the Masonic Cancer Center, Nelson was an assistant professor of environmental epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. Her research interests are in gene-environment interactions in cancer, with ongoing studies in non-melanoma skin cancer, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Lange presents at Endocrine Society Annual Meeting
Carol Lange, Ph.D., member of the Breast Cancer Program, spoke on "PR crosstalk to growth factor receptors" June 3 at the 2007 Endocrine Society Annual Meeting in Toronto.
Fairview names new CEO, president
Mark A. Eustis has been named president and CEO of Fairview Health Services. He will begin August 1. Eustis comes to Fairview from St. Louis-based Ascension Health—the nation's largest nonprofit health system—where he was president of Regional Ministry Operations. A native of Minnesota, Eustis earned bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Minnesota. Eustis replaces David R. Page, president and CEO of Fairview since 1997. Page announced his retirement two years ago and will officially retire in October.
New member
Anne M. Jurek, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics/Epidemiology and Clinical Research
Program area of interest: Prevention and Etiology
Area of clinical interest: Childhood cancer
Area of scientific interest: Epidemiologic methodology
Education and Events
Special Seminar
Wednesday, June 6, 2007, 12 p.m., 450 CCRB
Gerard Socie, M.D., Ph.D., Hospital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
Chronic GVH late effects of cancer and transplant therapy
Host: Daniel Weisdorf, Ph.D.
Staff Day for Civil Service Bargaining Unit employees
Wednesday, June 6, 2007, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Coffman Memorial Union, Minneapolis campus; and Carter and Eckles Avenues, St. Paul campus; evening event will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Coffman location only
Lunch and gift provided. You must bring coupon to receive gift and to enter drawing for raffle. If you did not receive one, contact Mary at 612-626-9462.
Annual Salute to Staff and Faculty and Cancer Center picnic
Join the Cancer Center's Salute to Staff and Faculty on Thursday, June 7, at 8:30 a.m. Light refreshments will be served in the atrium areas on all four floors of CCRB. Cancer Center director Dr. Doug Yee will present a State of the Cancer Center address at 9 a.m. in 450 CCRB.
The picnic will be held the same day at Newell Park (Pierce Butler Route at Fairview Ave N., St. Paul) from 5 to 7 p.m. Families are welcome. Food and beverages will be served beginning at 5:15 p.m.
A special program during the picnic to thank Dr. John Kersey for his leadership of the Cancer Center and to wish him well in his future adventures will begin at 6 p.m.
Information about Newell Park can be found at: http://www.stpaul.gov/depts/parks/userguide/newellpark.html.
Herberger's Friends & Family Appreciation event
Saturday, June 9, 2007, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Herberger's at Southtown Mall, Bloomington
Cancer Center members and staff are invited to bring a friend and shop at a discount at the Herberger's at Southtown. Show your AHC employee badge at the main entrance to pick up coupon booklets and take advantage of special savings, "pamper stations" in the cosmetics department, and refreshments. You can also register for the chance to win a $100 gift card. Since 2001, Herberger's "Charge Against Breast Cancer" campaign has supported the Masonic Cancer Center's Breast Cancer Research Program with a contribution every time a customer makes a purchase with the Herberger's Rose charge card.
The 5th Annual International Conference on Transposition and Animal Biotechnology
Thursday-Friday, June 21-22, 2007, McNamara Alumni Center
Recent advances in transposon research include the exploitation of an array of invertebrate transposons in vertebrate models, and fish transposons in mammalian systems. This meeting will explore the use of transposons for gene discovery and gene transfer. Session topics include: transposon biology, gene therapy, animal biotechnology, and gene discovery. The goal of this conference is to serve as a key forum for information exchange and development of transposon tools for genetic applications from functional genomics to molecular medicine. Invited speakers, schedule of events, and registration information can be found online at http://beckmancenter.ahc.umn.edu.
Children's Cancer Research Fund 5th Annual Time to Fly™ Walk/Run
Saturday, June 23, 2007, Harriet Island, St. Paul
Plan to bring your family and friends to join the race against childhood cancer at the fifth annual Time to Fly™ Walk/Run. This family-oriented event offers something for everyone, from the recreational walker to the competitive runner. Events include: 5K walk, 10K and 5K runs, and 1K/2K Kids' Fun Runs. To register or for more information, visit the Children's Cancer Research Fund Web site.
Macy's Glamorama advance tickets available
Friday, August 17, 2007, 8 p.m., Orpheum Theater, Minneapolis
Advance tickets for Macy's Glamorama are available now, before they go on sale to the public. Some ticket levels offered include a pre-show party at Chambers at 6:30 p.m. Also new this year is another GLAM event, Prelude to Glam, on Saturday, July 28, at an estate in Eden Prairie. To purchase your tickets now, download the order form (PDF) or call 952-893-9355. Tickets will also be available on the CCRF Web site on June 7. For more information visit the CCRF Web site.
Funding News and Opportunities
Gotham Prize for Cancer Research
The $1 million Gotham Prize for Cancer Research is intended to encourage new and innovative approaches in cancer research by fostering collaboration among top researchers. The selection process is via self-nomination. The prize will be open to a group of pre-qualified members who will share their ideas and concepts by posting a short thesis and/or proposal and answering questions on the Gotham Prize Web site. An Advisory Board will select the members from the submitted applications. Member postings will be anonymous (except to the Board) and will be made known only through voluntary disclosure. Each year, the member that submits the best idea in the area of cancer research, as judged by the Advisory Board, will receive $1 million for personal use. A $250,000 Ira Sohn Conference Foundation Prize in Pediatric Oncology will also be awarded annually for the best idea related to pediatric cancer. Visit www.gothamprize.org for more information on the prize, the application process, and the advisory board membership.
Visit the Funding News & Opportunities Web page to see listings previously published in Update.