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Researchers and Staff
August 12 , 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
News
Members in the news
Douglas Yee, M.D., director, was featured in a FOX 9 TV news report on August 4 about MRI and mammography for detection of breast cancer.
John Ohlfest, Ph.D., Jaime Modiano, D.V.M., Ph.D., and Elizabeth Pluhar, D.V.M., Ph.D., were featured in reports about Batman, a dog that received an experimental treatment for a brain tumor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, on KARE-11 TV, Star Tribune, WCCO Radio's Mondale and Jones Show, and KSTP-TV. Read more.
Welcome new faculty
Welcome to Antonella Borgatti Jeffreys, D.V.M., M.S., who joined the College of Veterinary Medicine faculty in July as an assistant clinical professor of oncology. Her areas of interest include comparative oncology, novel therapeutics, tumor progression and metastasis, and the relationship between aging and cancer. Jeffreys' clinic is based at the Veterinary Medical Center on the St. Paul campus. Her office is E309 VMC, 612-626-5786, abj@umn.edu.
Education and Events
College of Veterinary Medicine Comparative Oncology Program meeting
"Rehabilitation in the Cancer Patient: A Comparative Approach"
Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Pomeroy Center, Room 215, College of Vet Med, St. Paul campus
A panel of experts will discuss the application of rehabilitation as part of the standard care for cancer patients, which includes approximately 400 dogs per year at the College of Veterinary Medicine. The presentations will be followed by a roundtable discussion that will center on the value of patients for basic and clinical research and discovery. The program's objectives are to establish partnerships leading to new research projects between faculty who work on rehabilitation and cancer at the College of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Minnesota's Medical School and the Mayo Clinic.
For more information contact: Jan Swanson, 612 624-3434
Macy's Glamorama
Friday, August 15, 2008, Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis
Macy's Glamorama 2008 is heading back to the '80s with an arcade of eye candy couture and modern sounds. Headlined by the chart-topping '80s superstar Cyndi Lauper and late '80s hip-hop sensation MC Hammer, Macy's fashion spectacular will rock the runway in true '80s style, once again supporting Children's Cancer Research Fund (CCRF). Topping this year's list of designers are Varvatos USA, Michael Kors, Marc by Marc Jacobs, BCBG Runway, Donna Karan and Just Cavalli. All proceeds benefit CCRF, whose support enables the Masonic Cancer Center to continue its pioneering efforts in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of childhood cancers. More information and tickets are available on the CCRF Web site.
Hope Lodge Picnic
Wednesday, August 20, 2008, The Richard M. Schulze Family American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 2500 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis
Health care providers are invited to a Hope Lodge Picnic to visit with their patients, tour their free home-away-from home, and visit with other Twin Cities physicians, nurses, social workers and healthcare providers. RSVP to Mary or Joan at 612-379-6352.
Visit the Web site for more information on referrals to the Hope Lodge or call Mary Wiles, Hope Lodge Manager at 612-379-6352, mary.wiles@cancer.org.
Norma K.C. Ramsay, M.D. Distinguished Visiting Professor Lectureship
Wednesday, September 10, 2008, 12:15-1:30 p.m., Moos Tower 2-690
Smita Bhatia, M.D., M.P.H., will present "The Quality of Survival after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation." Bhatia is professor and chair of the Division of Population Sciences, and associate director of population research at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, Calif. The third annual Norma K.C. Ramsay, M.D. Distinguished Visiting Professor Lectureship is sponsored by the Children's Cancer Research Fund.
Silent No More 5K Walk/Run for Ovarian Cancer
Saturday, September 13, 2008, Rosland Park, Edina
The Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MOCA) Silent No More 5K Walk/Run for Ovarian Cancer raises funds for ovarian cancer research, education, and support for women with ovarian cancer and their families. In just eight years, MOCA has awarded more than $2 million for ovarian cancer research in Minnesota, thanks in large part to the success of the Silent No More event. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; a survivor photo will be taken at 8:30 a.m.; 5K run begins at 9 a.m.; 2K walk begins at 9:30 a.m.; and a Kids Fun Run begins at 10 a.m. For more information or to register, call 612-822-0500 or visit the Web site.
Cannon Valley Cancer Ride
Saturday, September 20, 2008, Riverside Park, Cannon Falls, Minn.
The Cannon Valley Cancer Ride is a fun, family-oriented 20-mile bike ride on the scenic Cannon Valley Trail. The event is organized by Red Wing Masonic Lodge and Cannon Falls Oriental Lodge to raise money for the Partners for Life Campaign, which was established by the Grand Lodge of Minnesota to help raise funds for the Masonic Cancer Center. Through the help of Minnesota Masonic Charities, every dollar raised from the Cannon Valley Cancer Ride will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
The ride starts in Riverside Park in Cannon Falls and goes to Welch and back. The registration fee is $35 for riders 12 and older and $20 for riders under 12, and includes lunch and a t-shirt. Same-day registration is $30 for riders 12 and older and $15 for riders under 12, and includes lunch, but no t-shirt. Registration and t-shirt handout will start at 8 a.m.; the ride will start at 9 a.m. Visit the Web site for more information and a registration form.
Write Winning Grants Seminar
Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn Metrodome, Minneapolis
The popular day-long seminar is open to AHC faculty and research staff currently involved in clinical and translational research. Space is limited to 100 participants. AHC faculty may register at the AHC Web site. Non-AHC faculty members may register separately through central administration in early September.
Developmental Biology Center/Lillehei Heart Institute Symposium
Tubes, Branches and Pumps in Development
September 24-25, 2008, McNamara Alumni Center, A.I. Johnson Great Room
Registration is now open for the Developmental Biology Center/Lillehei Heart Institute Symposium. The first 25 graduate students who register and are presenting a poster at the symposium will have their registration and banquet fees waived. All registrants are welcome to present a poster. Visit the Web site for more information and to register.
Hormel Institute Symposium "Frontiers in Cancer Research" and the 8th International Skin Carcinogenesis Conference
October 4-7, 2008, Austin, MN
The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota is hosting a three-day conference in Austin, Minn., as part of the grand opening to celebrate its major expansion. The goal of this joint conference is to provide a scientifically driven symposium involving didactic sessions and facilitating discussions regarding molecular and cellular targets of cancer causation and prevention, and to provide a forum for exchange of the most recent and relevant information on the biological, cellular, and molecular changes that occur during tumor development. Newer technologies such as computer modeling of protein/protein interactions and small-molecular/protein interactions will also be highlighted, and a substantial translational focus will be included. Conference chairs are Zigang Dong, M.D., Dr. P.H., Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program member and executive director of The Hormel Institute, and Susan M. Fischer, Ph.D., professor, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas. Masonic Cancer Center Director Douglas Yee, M.D., and Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program Leader Stephen Hecht, Ph.D., are presenters at the conference. Visit the Hormel Institute Web site for more information and to register.
Program Meetings
Tumor Biology and Progression Program meeting
Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 9-10 a.m., 2-110 Weaver Densford
The goal of this program meeting is to bring members up to date on the key challenges and opportunities facing the program. Douglas Yee, M.D., director, will discuss his vision of how he sees the program developing during the next CCSG funding period.
A continental breakfast will be provided.
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Cancer Epidemiology Interest Group
Friday, August 15, 2008, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Mayo 1250
Development of PEITC as a chemopreventive agent against lung carcinogenesis in smokers
Jian-Min Yuan, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Funding News and Opportunities
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Promise Grants
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Deadlines: Pre-application-September 25, 2008, 7 p.m. CST; full application-December 4, 2008, 7 p.m. CST
Promise Grants provide up to $1.5 million annually over five years to support programs with collaborative and cross-disciplinary research projects that provide integrated approaches to solving critical challenges to the rapid translation of scientific discoveries into new or enhanced clinical tools and applications that have the greatest potential to significantly reduce breast cancer incidence and/or mortality within the next decade. Integrated programs of research projects addressing critical challenges in population disparities in breast cancer outcomes and triple negative breast cancer are of special interest and may receive funding priority. Pre-applications are required prior to starting a full application.
Information about Komen's Research Program and details about funding opportunities are available on the Web site.
Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program
National Cancer Institute
Deadline: September 1, 2008
Funding: Stipend, paid health insurance, reimbursement for moving expenses, and a travel allowance to attend scholarly meetings or training
The Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program at the National Cancer Institute is an excellent postdoctoral training opportunity that provides training in public health and mentored research with world-renown investigators at the NCI. The overarching goal of the CPFP is to provide a strong foundation for clinicians and scientists to train in the field of cancer prevention and control. As part of the program, we offer training toward an M.P.H. degree at an accredited university during the first year, followed by mentored research with investigators at the NCI. The typical duration in the CPFP is 4 years. Applicants must possess an M.D., Ph.D., J.D., or other doctoral degree in a related discipline (e.g., epidemiology, biostatistics, ethics, philosophy, or the biomedical, nutritional, public health, social, or behavioral sciences) or must be enrolled in an accredited doctoral degree program and fulfill all degree requirements by June 22, 2009. Foreign education must be comparable to that received in the United States. Applicants must also be US citizens or permanent residents.
American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant
American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant applications are being accepted until October 6, 2008. 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 $30,000. Applications may be obtained by contacting LeeAnn Micek, 612-626-1926, micek003@umn.edu.
Visit the Funding News & Opportunities Web page to see listings previously published in Update.