Masonic Cancer Center of the University of Minnesota
Public and Patients
- About Us
- Cancer Information
- Clinical Trials
- Events & Outreach
- Make a Gift
- News & Feature Stories
- Survivorship
Researchers and Staff
June 17, 2008
Update is sent to Masonic 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
Funding News and Opportunities
Message from the Director
Dear Colleagues:
On Thursday, June 19, the National Cancer Institute will conduct a site visit of our Masonic Cancer Center. This site visit is an essential component of the Masonic Cancer Center Support Grant competitive renewal process. Since space in CCRB Room 450 is limited, I have asked cancer center program leaders to invite only those people they want in the audience during their presentations. A reception area will be outside Room 450 for invitees to pick up a name tag, agenda, and other meeting materials. The entire day's presentations will be recorded and available to view after the site visit.
The atrium area in the fourth floor also will be used for the site visit. Please be especially conscious of the noise level in the building's common areas during the visit.
Thank you for your support and cooperation.
Douglas Yee, M.D., Director
News
Members in the news
The Clinical Cancer Letter, a newsletter about cancer research for clinicians, featured information about the research study "Childhood cancer survivors face increased risk of heart disease" led by Prevention and Etiology Program member Daniel Mulrooney, M.D. Mulrooney presented the research at the recent annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago. Read more about the study.
ASCO presents B.J. Kennedy Award to Vermont oncologist
At its recent annual meeting, the ASCO presented its B.J. Kennedy Award for Scientific Excellence in Geriatric Oncology to Hyman Muss, professor of medicine at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. The late Dr. Kennedy was a member of the University of Minnesota faculty and pioneered the establishment of the subspecialty of medical oncology. In 2004, ASCO, the world's largest organization of cancer physicians and researchers, recognized him as the "father of medical oncology" and established this award in his honor. Muss is also co-chair of the Cancer in the Elderly Working Group for Cancer and Leukemia Group B. He has "devoted his career to the study of breast cancer in older women and to the improvement of care for these patients."
Nachreiner receives pilot study funding
Nancy Nachreiner, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.N., assistant professor in the Division
of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, received funding for her pilot study "Work Concerns During and After Cancer Treatment" from a Minnesota Medical Foundation (MMF) Faculty Research Grant. Co-investigators include Rahel Ghebre, M.D., and Beth Virnig, Ph.D.
Masonic Cancer Center participates in Fond du Lac Reservation Health Fair
Marva Bohen, R.N., outreach director, and Sandra Rivera, events coordinator, provided cancer information at the Fond du Lac Reservation Health Fair June 13 in Cloquet, Minn. The fair focused on colorectal and lung cancer—diseases which disproportionately affect American Indians in Minnesota.
Masonic Cancer Center welcomes Rachel Isaksson
Rachel Isaksson, M.S., has joined the Biostatistics and Informatics Shared Resource as a research fellow for the biostatistics staff. Rachel recently obtained a master of science degree in biostatistics at the University of Minnesota. She was a National Merit Scholar and completed her undergraduate degree at Hamline University in St. Paul.
Researchers encouraged to complete Protein and Peptide Lab Usage Survey
AHC and Mayo Clinic are planning to create a large-scale peptide production facility that would house the same standard of excellence to which other labs maintained by AHC and Mayo Clinic adhere. While the benefits of these facilities are undisputed, the costs associated with maintaining staff and instrumentation are not minimal. AHC is asking members of the University of Minnesota and Mayo communities for input on future interest in these facilities to determine their long term usage. Researchers are asked to fill out a survey regarding potential projects that would benefit from the use of any of these facilities. The information provided will be used strictly for the determination of current and future interest in these very unique and advanced facilities. Responses to the survey in no way indicate a commitment to future use of these facilities. Complete the survey.
AHC fiscal year wrap-up available online
In a speech wrapping up the Academic Health Center's fiscal year, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences Frank B. Cerra, M.D., acknowledged the Minnesota Masons' historic donation to the Masonic Cancer Center of $65 million, the largest single gift ever given to the University. Cerra's speech, "The Demand for Creative Approaches as We Compete for Our Future," which he delivered June 11 at the Mayo Memorial Auditorium, highlighted accomplishments of the last five months and laid out a course to reach the next set of goals in. Watch the speech or view slides only (PDF).
Education and Events
Pediatric Cancer and Blood Diseases Conference
Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 4 p.m., 656 CCRB (note location change for this date only)
Stem Cell Homing in the Danio Rerio Model
Troy Lund, M.D., Ph.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT Fellow
and
The Impact of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation on the Quality of Life and Health Status of Pediatric Adrenoleukodystrophy Survivors
Vivian Nnebe, M.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT Fellow
Cookies and beverages will be available.
Web Seminar: NHLBI Training and Funding Opportunities & Overview of Cell Therapy in Lung Biology and Disease
Wednesday, June 25, 2008, 11 a.m.-noon
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Production Assistance for Cellular Therapies program invites scientists, technologists, managers, and supervisors to participate in a Web-based seminar that will cover steps to follow when applying for training and funding opportunities within NHLBI; challenges of classical stem cell hierarchical models in the biology of lung stem cells; and the potential role of endogenous stem/progenitor cells in the lung for repair/regeneration. Download the flyer (PDF) for more information and registration instructions.
Time to Fly™ Walk/Run
Saturday, June 28, 2008, Harriet Island Regional Park, St. Paul
Time to Fly is a family-friendly walk/run event perfect for everyone from the competitive runner to the recreational participant. Set along the banks of the beautiful Mississippi River, Time to Fly race events include: 10K run, 5K run, 5K walk, and a kids' fun run. The day also features live entertainment, performance t-shirts, event bags, complimentary food and beverages, an abundance of kids' activities, and inspirational stories by families with children affected by cancer. Awards are presented to top race finishers in eight age categories, as well as the top corporate, community, and individual fundraisers through a competitive online pledge program. The 6th annual Time to Fly will be held in conjunction with the Picnic of Hope.
Plan to form a team. For additional information visit the Children's Cancer Research Fund Web site.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 7:10 p.m., Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, 34 Kirby Puckett Place, Minneapolis
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network invites you and your family and friends for a night of fun with the Minnesota Twins as they play the Detroit Tigers. Help raise awareness for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network by wearing purple to the game and by joining the Twin Cities Affiliate as they lead the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" song during the 7th inning stretch!
Tickets are $20 each, and $8 of each ticket goes directly to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. To purchase tickets, visit the Web site. For more information, contact Toni Dachis at tdachis@pancan.org.
The Masonic Cancer Center Clinical Trials Office Training Series
How to make the clinical trial start-up process the most efficient possible
Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 7:30-9:30 a.m., 450 CCRB
Learn tips to streamline study start-up and learn what resources are available through the CTO. This session will cover the basic steps required to take a clinical trial from concept to initiation:
- Project Management (oversight from protocol to initiation)
- Budget/Contracts (draft budget to final contract)
- Medical writing of protocols, informed consents (review of template and required elements of protocol, how to survive CPRC review)
- Regulatory approvals (getting approval from the CPRC, IRB, and other committees); Guest speaker from IRB, Patrice Webster
- IND process (assist with preparation of documents)
- Systems (clinical trial management/data management)
- Study Initiation (staff training/open to enrollment)
RSVP by Tuesday, July 1, 2008, to Katy Lind, lindx141@umn.edu or 625-3650.
Challenges and Tensions in International Research Collaborations
October 2-3, 2008, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Sponsored by the U.S. Office of Research Integrity and the University of Minnesota
International research collaborations are expanding rapidly, but they involve certain challenges. Speakers will discuss problems stemming from cross-national differences in the organization and funding of science, cultural perspectives, the training of students and research personnel, and legal and policy systems. They will also propose ways to mitigate the effects of these challenges in collaborative research. Scientists who collaborate or intend to collaborate internationally, other scientific research personnel, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students, and others interested in international collaboration are encouraged to attend. Early registration deadline is July 1, 2008. Space is limited. Visit the conference Web site for information on the conference program and registration.
Program Meetings
Cancer Epidemiology Interest Group Seminar
Friday, June 20, 2008, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Mayo 1250
Hierarchical Models for Spatiotemporally Correlated Cancer Data
Bradley P. Carlin, Ph.D., Mayo Professor in Public Health, Division of Biostatistics
Lunch is provided. If you would like a lunch, please R.S.V.P. by 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, to Logan Spector at spector@umn.edu and indicate whether you require a vegetarian selection.
Special BMT Conference
Monday, June 23, 2008, 1:15-2:30 p.m., 450 CCRB
Transfusion Practices in BMT at UMMC: How to improve Blood Product Utilization
Presentation
and open discussion with BMT program faculty, fellows, NP/PA's, and nurse coordinators
Timothy Hannon, M.D., M.B.A., Transfusion Service Consultant; and Robert Bowman, M.D. and Nichole Zantek, M.D., Transfusion Medicine Staff, University of Minnesota Medical Center
Funding News and Opportunities
Preliminary applications for NCMHD Comprehensive Centers of Excellence (P60) Application due June 23
The University of Minnesota Program in Health Disparities Research is preparing an application to the National Center for Minority Health Disparities (NCMHD) for a comprehensive center of excellence (COE) with an August 29, 2008 deadline. This application will include funding for up to three major projects. These projects must demonstrate original and innovative basic laboratory, behavioral, clinical, or population-based research directed toward improving minority health, eliminating health disparities, or both, in any of the following diseases or conditions: cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, infant mortality, mental health, and obesity or other disease or conditions of major public health importance. All investigators are encouraged to apply irrespective of faculty rank or current NCMHD, NIH, or other funding. The amount of the major project award is up to approximately $750,000 in direct costs (i.e. $150,000/yr x 5 years or $250,000/yr x 3 years). The competitive process for these proposals is two-tiered, with the preliminary application due June 23, 2008. For more information, read the memorandum explaining the application process from Jasjit S. Ahluwalia, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., principal investigator, and Kola Okuyemi, M.D., M.P.H., co-principal investigator.
Lymphoma Research Foundation Research Program
Lymphoma Research Foundation
Application Receipt Date(s): September 10, 2008 (Letter of Intent due Aug 1, 2008 required for Follicular grants)
Post-Doctoral Fellowships
Funding: 2 years, $105,000 total
These two-year fellowships help attract the nation's best scientific talent to careers in lymphoma and allow them to pursue promising leads under the guidance of a Sponsor.Clinical Investigator Career Development Awards (CDAs)
Funding: 3 years, $75,000 per year
This three-year program funds training of clinicians who will participate in developing new therapeutics and diagnostic tools for lymphoma. Clinicians will be trained to design and administer clinical studies and to take on primary responsibility for trial design, protocol development, IRB submission, and publication. A Career Development Plan and the commitment of a mentor are required as part of the grant application.Follicular Lymphoma R01-Type Grant
Funding: 3 years, $250,000 per year
The goal of LRF's Follicular Lymphoma (FL) Research Initiative is to develop novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of FL. LRF is seeking proposals that advance the understanding of the human biology of FL or that verify molecular targets for FL therapeutics.Follicular Lymphoma Correlative Clinical Studies Award
Funding: 3 years, $125,000 per year
LRF is also seeking proposals for correlative clinical studies in follicular lymphoma (FL). Applications to this initiative must be adjunct to a major FL research project and work in the clinical setting or with primary FL patient samples.
Visit the Funding News & Opportunities Web page to see listings previously published in Update.