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Researchers and Staff
September 4 , 2007
Cancer Center Update is sent to Cancer Center members and staff every Tuesday at 10 a.m. Please submit items to Sandi Sherman, sherm019@umn.edu, by noon the previous Friday.
In This Issue
Cancer Center Program Meetings
Funding News and Opportunities
Message from the Director
Leadership roles 'reshuffled' to move Cancer Center into next phase of translational cancer research
We're at a watershed moment in cancer. Discoveries made by studying populations and in the laboratory are turning into new strategies to prevent and treat the disease.
It is now the responsibility of the Masonic Cancer Center to implement these new approaches and this requires appropriate leadership that spans all the expertise of our Academic Health Center. Our Cancer Center is fortunate to have committed faculty and staff involved in cancer research and care. I've restructured the leadership in order to position us for the future of cancer. Currently the Masonic Cancer Center has a deputy director and six associate directors. These key positions will shape the future of our Cancer Center.
Phil McGlave, M.D., has assumed the position of Deputy Director. Phil previously served as the co-leader of the Transplant Biology and Therapy and Translational Research programs. He has also been Associate Director of Experimental Therapeutics. Phil's experience as both a physician and a scientist will bring important expertise to both the research and clinical activities of the Masonic Cancer Center.
Tucker LeBien, Ph.D., previously served as Deputy Director and will continue in his role as Associate Director of Basic Research. Tucker has been a key leader in the development of the Masonic Cancer Center and his continued oversight of the basic science programs and shared resources will ensure our continued progress in these areas.
Mary Sumpmann, R.N., will remain Associate Director of Administration. Mary, along with Tucker, is a "founding member" of the Masonic Cancer Center and has been an instrumental in moving the Masonic Cancer Center from an idea to one of the strongest programs within the Academic Health Center.
Julie Ross, Ph.D., Associate Director of Population Sciences, has been in this position since 2005. Her interests in linking molecular biology to the study of populations will ensure that our programs remain at the forefront of the field.
Selwyn Vickers, M.D., who was recently recruited as Chair of Surgery will be the Associate Director of Translational Research. Selwyn came to Minnesota from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, where he was the co-P.I. of that institution's Pancreatic Cancer SPORE (Specialized Program of Research Excellence). By integrating laboratory-based investigation with clinical practice, Selwyn will lead in establishing collaborations between laboratory investigators and clinicians.
Jeff Miller, M.D., was previously a co-leader of the Transplant Biology and Therapy program and will now become Associate Director of Experimental Therapeutics. Jeff has been instrumental in bringing new immunotherapy approaches to cancer treatment and has been a leader in creating the necessary shared resources (Translational Cell Therapy) to conduct investigator-based novel cancer therapeutics.
David Rothenberger, M.D., was co-leader of the Translational Research Program and Associate Director for Clinical Research and Programs. He will now assume the position of Associate Director of Clinical Affairs. In order for the Masonic Cancer Center to fulfill its mission of improving cancer outcomes, we will need to ensure that we provide the highest level of clinical care. David's career has exemplified this approach and will represent the Masonic Cancer Center in our ongoing discussions with our clinical partners, Fairview Health Systems and University of Minnesota Physicians.
Finally, John Kersey, M.D., is the Founding Director Emeritus. Obviously, I do not need to highlight John's role in the Cancer Center! However, from my standpoint, I am indebted to John for engaging the University's key leaders interested in cancer.
My job was to "reshuffle" the positions in order to move our Cancer Center into its next phase of translational cancer research. In order to defeat these diseases, we need to optimize and integrate our clinical care systems with our basic and population scientists. I know that this new leadership structure will help us achieve these goals and help you in your research.
In the next Cancer Center Update, I'll talk about changes in the Masonic Cancer Center programs.
--Doug Yee, M.D.
Director, University of Minnesota Cancer Center
News
Ohlfest receives NIH grant for glioma therapy research
John Ohlfest, Ph.D., member of the Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, received a two-year NIH grant totaling $359,735 for his study, "Concurrent immune stimulation and inhibition of angiogenesis for glioma therapy." According to Ohlfest, the research may provide insight into improving biological therapy for gliomas and other cancers. "Cancer stem cells in high-grade brain tumors (gliomas) appear to rely on a perivascular niche to promote self-renewal and to prevent terminal differentiation into tumor cells that are sensitive to radiation and chemotherapy," he says. "In this project we will test the combination of anti-angiogenic gene transfer with a glioma stem cell-targeted vaccine in a mouse model. Our hypothesis is that the combination of targeting the glioma stem cell's niche (perivascular space) in conjunction with re-directing T cell-mediated immunity to focus on these cells will deplete their numbers and significantly improve survival."
Education and Events
Special Seminar
Thursday, September 13, 2007, 3-4 p.m., 450 CCRB
Dysregulation of G-protein signaling in prostate cancer
Yaping Tu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Creighton University School of Medicine
Dr. Tu is a faculty candidate in prostate cancer research jointly sponsored by the Masonic Cancer Center and the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development grand opening
Thursday, September 20, 2007, 3-5 p.m., 717 Delaware Street, Minneapolis
There will be a program at 3 p.m., followed by tours and a reception. For more information call 612-626-6317.
Cancer U: Ask The Experts
September 27-November 1, 2007In the fall series of Cancer U: Ask The Experts, University of Minnesota researchers and physicians will provide information and answer questions about advances in breast, prostate, and lung cancer research. The free programs provide cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and others interested in learning more about cancer with an opportunity to get accurate information from University experts. The programs will be offered at the new Fairview Maple Grove Medical Center and the Radisson University Hotel in Minneapolis. Learn more and register.
Distinguished Visiting Scholar Series in Health Disparities lecture
Friday, September 21, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 1-450G Moos Tower
The role of health services research in closing the health services gap for racial and ethnic minorities
Margarita Alegria, Ph.D., Director, Center for Multicultural Mental Health Research, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge Health Alliance
Sandwiches and beverages will be provided for the first 50 attendees. This event is co-sponsored by the Program in Health Disparities Research in the Medical School and the AHC Office of Clinical Research.
For more information about the Program in Health Disparities Research, visit the Web site, or contact the program at PHDR@umn.edu.
Fall Bioethics Seminars—Save the dates
Friday, September 21, 2007, 12:15 to 1:30 pm, Mayo 3-125
Bioethics and the Tragedy of the Commons, Steven Miles, M.D., Professor, Center for Bioethics; and Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School
Tuesday, October 9, 2007, 12 p.m., Coffman Theater
Stem Cell Research: At the Intersection of Science, Politics, Law, and Culture, Zach W. Hall, Ph.D.
Friday, November 9, 2007, 12:15 to 1:30 pm, Mayo 3-125
Improving End of Life Care for Homeless Persons, John Song, M.D., Assistant Professor, Center for Bioethics; and Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School
Friday, December 14, 2007, 12:15 to 1:30 pm, Mayo 3-125
Elizabeth Seaquist, M.D., Professor, Division of Endocrinology; and Diabetes, Department of Medicine; Director, General Clinical Research Center Pennock Family Chair in Diabetes Research, University of Minnesota
Continuing Medical Education Credit (CME) available.
2nd Annual Children's Cancer Research Fund Norma K.C. Ramsay, M.D. Distinguished Visiting Professor Lectureship
Friday, October 12, 2007. 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Molecular targets in neuroblastoma: Clues to the cure
Katherine K. Matthay, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, Chief, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Mildred V. Strouss Endowed Chair for Translational Research in Pediatric Oncology, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine
The Children's Cancer Research Fund's 27th Dawn of a Dream®: "Be Amazing"
Saturday, November 3, 2007, Milwaukee Road Depot, Minneapolis
"Be Amazing" at the 27th annual Dawn of a Dream Gala, presented by the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation. This event will be headlined by three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist Keb' Mo'. The evening will feature dinner, dancing, live and silent auction and, of course, Keb' Mo'. Keb' Mo's music is a living link to the seminal Delta blues, which has evolved into a universally celebrated art form.
The tickets for Dawn of a Dream are now available for purchase online ($250-$200 tax deductible). Tickets are limited and will sell out fast!
Cancer Center Program Meetings
Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center Lecture
Friday, September 7, 2007, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Mechanism discovery and translation—relevance to medication development for nicotine dependence
William A. Corrigall, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota
For a complete schedule visit the Web site.
BMT Conference
Monday, September 10, 2007, 1:15-2:15 p.m., D230 Mayo (Note room change. This conference will be held in Eustis Amphitheatre)
Genes, diet, drugs and BMT: a tale of two nutrients (folate and vitamin D)
Kim Robien, Ph.D., R.D., FADA, CNSD, Assistant Professor, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota
For a complete schedule visit the Web site.
Funding News and Opportunities
American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant
Deadline: October 15, 2007
Funding: Up to $30,000
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. Applications may be obtained by calling LeAnn Micek, 612-626-1926, micek003@unn.edu.
Visit the Funding News & Opportunities Web page to see listings previously published in Update.