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Researchers and Staff
January 6 , 2008
Update is sent to Masonic Cancer Center members and staff every Tuesday morning. Please submit items to Sandi Sherman, sherm019@umn.edu, by noon the previous Friday.
In This Issue
Funding News and Opportunities
Director's Message
Dear Masonic Cancer Center community,
Happy Holidays! 2008 has been an eventful year for our Masonic Cancer Center so please join me on January 21, 2009 at 9 a.m., 450 MCRB to ring in the New Year (Gregorian and Chinese!).
The program will include the annual State of the Masonic Cancer Center report and presentation of years of service awards for individuals.
Given the long-standing, historic support of our cancer center from the Minnesota Masonic Charities, Masons Steve Johnson and Neil Neddermeyer will present a history of the Masons and discuss the charitable focus of their organization.
I hope you'll find time in your busy schedule to join us and celebrate the year(s)!
Douglas Yee, M.D.
Director
Today's Seminar
Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Epigenetic profiles in lung carcinogenesis
Heather Nelson, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota
A peek at the next seminar:
Tuesday, January 13, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Ras activity levels determine cell fate in genetic models of pancreatic cancer
Craig Logsdon, Ph.D., Professor, Cancer Biology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Host: Ashok Saluja, Ph.D.
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
News
Members in the news
Douglas Yee, M.D., director and co-leader, Women's Cancer Research Program, was cited in the December 12, 2008 issue of The Cancer Letter regarding his appointment to the John H. Kersey Chair in Cancer Research.
Ed Greeno, M.D., was quoted in news reports about colorectal cancer on Duluth radio stations KDAL and WDSM on December 17, 2008.
Ashish Kumar, M.D., Ph.D., Genetic Mechanisms of Research Program, was interviewed on KTLK and WCCO radio about his discovery that a gene involved in infant leukemia is also associated with glioblastoma. This study was selected for a "Best of ASH" presentation. Read more.
Tribute to a pioneer in prostate cancer research and treatment
The Masonic Cancer Center wishes to pay tribute to Donald Gleason, M.D., Ph.D., a pioneer in prostate cancer research and treatment, who died December 28 at age 88. Dr. Gleason, who retired from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1986, was a central figure in developing the widely used system for rating prostate cancer tumors, known as the Gleason grading system.
"His work is the gold standard for prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment selection," said Akhouri Sinha, Ph.D., a colleague of Gleason's as well as a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a member of the Masonic Cancer Center. "Worldwide, his system is used annually at least one million times—that's the number of people diagnosed with this cancer. In the United States alone, about 230,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually. His original work was published in 1966, and it remains unchanged in spite of numerous attempts to change it." (To read Dr. Gleason's description of how he developed the grading system, see his narrative addendum to his curriculum vitae (PDF).)
Dr. Gleason earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota in 1944, completed his internship with the Army Medical Corps Reserve, and served his residency in pathology at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Minneapolis. He was named chief of pathology at the VA Hospital in 1950 and worked there until his retirement. Among his numerous honors was the Outstanding Achievement Award from the University of Minnesota. Read the Star Tribune obituary.
Cancer Center member Anna Masellis passes away
After a long, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, Anna Masellis, Ph.D., passed away on Christmas Day at Vancouver General Hospital surrounded by her family. Dr. Masellis was an adjunct assistant professor of medicine and Masonic Cancer Center member. The funeral was held in Vancouver on December 31. Read the obituary.
Friends in Minnesota have organized a memorial service for Anna on Sunday, January 11, 2009, at 4 p.m. at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in St. Paul (corner of Summit and Lexington Parkway; parking lot accessible from Lexington, if full, please park on Summit).
A short religious service (10-15 minutes) will be followed by a tribute to Anna and a light meal in the social hall. Angela Panoskaltsis-Mortari requests that photos of Anna that represent the different facets of her life and the activities in which she was involved be forwarded to her (panos001@umn.edu).
Pennell presents poster at American Society of Cell Biology meeting
Chris Pennell, Ph.D., Immunology Program, presented a poster at the annual meeting of American Society of Cell Biology, held San Francisco in December. The poster, "Interactive Computer Simulations for Teaching Cancer Cell Biology," described computer models that Pennell, Nels Dokken (a biology teacher at Bloomington Kennedy High School) and researchers at Crowley Davis Research in Eagle, Idaho, have created to teach principles of cell biology, experimental design and data analysis associated with mechanisms of tumorigenesis. The models demonstrate the key principle that cancer is a genetic disease arising from the accumulation of mutations.
'Batman' to receive Hero Animal Hall of Fame award
Batman, the shepherd mix dog that had surgery and experimental treatment for a brain tumor, was selected by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) to receive the Hero Animal Hall of Fame award on February 7. MVMA gives this award to animals that have saved or preserved human life. Masonic Cancer Center members Liz Pluhar, D.V.M., Ph.D., and John Ohlfest, Ph.D., are leading the research and treatment of Batman and other dogs to find better ways of treating brain tumors in animals and people. This research endeavor is a collaboration of the Masonic Cancer Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, and Medical School.
New member
Yvonne H. Datta, M.D.
Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology/Transplantation
Clinical focus: Hematologic malignancies
Area of scientific interest: The development of care algorithms and seamless transition to stem cell transplant in patients with hematologic malignancies; the mechanisms for formation and secretion of platelet granules to improve supportive care.
Education and Events
State of the Masonic Cancer Center
Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 9 a.m., 450 MCRB
Douglas Yee, M.D., Director, will present the annual State of the Masonic Cancer Center report and presentation of years of service awards for staff and faculty. Masons Steve Johnson and Neil Neddermeyer, will present a history of the Masons and discuss the charitable focus of their organization.
Program Meetings
Immunology Program Meeting
Please note time/location change
Wednesday, January 7, 2009, 2-3 p.m., 450 MCRB
Anti-IL-6 receptor antibody therapy for autoimmune and malignant diseases
Norihiro Nishimoto, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Wakayama Medical University
Dr. Nishimoto is the person who developed an anti-IL-6R therapeutic antibody (Actemra®) at Osaka University. He will talk about its development, application for benign and malignant diseases, and future direction.
Sponsored by the Division of Basic and Translational Research, Department of Surgery
Contact: Masato Yamamoto, 4-9131 yamam016@umn.edu
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program Meeting
Thursday, January 8, 2009, 4:15 p.m., 450 MCRB
Genotyping and phenotyping for lung cancer susceptibility
Yan Zhong, B.S., doctoral candidate, Hecht Lab, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Transdisciplinary Tobacco Research Center Lecture
Friday, January 9, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Toxicants and carcinogens in smokeless tobacco: Beyond nicotine and nitrosamines
Irina Stepanov, Ph.D., Research Associate, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
BMT Program Conference
Monday, January 12, 2009, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 MCRB
UCB Transplantation at the U of M: An update
Claudio Brunstein, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Women's Cancer Interest Group
Tuesday, January 13, 2009, 10 a.m., 450 MCRB
Cytokine stimulated allogeneic NK cells in an in vivo ovarian cancer model
Melissa Geller, M.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Funding News and Opportunities
Genetic, Epigenetic or Immunologic Program for the Management of Cancer
Nolan Miller Lung Cancer Research Grant
The Doctors Cancer Foundation
Deadline: January 31, 2009
Funding: $50,000 each
The Doctors Cancer Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation whose primary purpose is the funding of translational research. Two grants are available. Applications should be as concise as possible, with a maximum of 10 pages, including references. The reviewers are physicians in practice and the application should be understandable by practicing physicians. -Applications should be emailed to dcf@doctorscancerfoundation.org.
2009 Rita Allen Foundation Award in Pain
Rita Allen Foundation and the American Pain Society
Deadline: January 23, 2009,
Funding: $50,000/yr for three years
The Rita Allen Foundation and American Pain Society may award two grants in the amount of $50,000 annually, for a period of up to three years to those research proposals demonstrating the greatest merit and potential for success. Candidates must be in the early stages of their career with a faculty appointment and provide persuasive evidence of distinguished achievement or extraordinary promise in basic science research in pain. For additional information contact the American Pain Society, 847-375-4715, info@ampainsoc.org.
ASCO Medical Student Rotation
Susan G. Komen for a Cure®
Funding: $5,000 stipend, $1,500 travel fund to the ASCO annual meeting, $2,000 to student's mentor
Deadline: February 20, 2009
The ASCO Medical Student Rotation, funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, provides 8-to-10-week clinical or clinical research oncology rotations for U.S. medical students from populations underrepresented in medicine who are interested in pursuing oncology as a career.
ASCO Resident Travel Award
Susan G. Komen for a Cure®
Funding: $1,500 travel advance, complimentary annual meeting registration, and access to the annual meeting housing block and ASCO's travel agent
Deadline: February 20, 2009
The ASCO Resident Travel Award provides financial support for residents from underrepresented populations to attend ASCO's Annual Meeting. The intention of this award is to attract residents from under-represented populations to a possible career in one of the oncology specialties. This travel award will allow the recipients to travel to the ASCO Annual Scientific Meeting, where they will have an opportunity to meet oncologists and to understand the career possibilities in this area.
Visit the Funding News & Opportunities Web page to see listings previously published in Update. Also, a list of organizations that provide funding for cancer research is provided on our Research Funding Resources page.