Sen. Amy Klobuchar visited the Masonic Cancer Center October 31 to meet with scientists and tour the research building. The researchers talked with Klobuchar about breast cancer and other research at the cancer center. Klobuchar discussed cancer research support and initiatives in Washington, D.C.

Masonic Cancer Center researchers who attended the meeting included:

• Douglas Yee, M.D., Masonic Cancer Center director and breast cancer researcher. Yee's research of growth regulation of tumors provided the foundation for the development of new anti-cancer drugs focused on growth factor receptors.
• Philip McGlave, M.D., deputy director, Masonic Cancer Center. McGlave's research focuses on experimental therapy (stem cell transplantation, immunotherapy, and gene transfer) for leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other hematologic disorders.
• Patrick Bolan, Ph.D. Bolan's research focuses on developing methods to monitor the effectiveness of chemotherapy through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy.
• Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., associate director, cancer prevention and control. Hatsukami's research focuses on nicotine addiction and methods to reduce tobacco toxin exposure.
• Mindy Kurzer, Ph.D., director, Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives Initiative. Kurzer is researching the effects of exercise, omega-3 fatty acids, and green tea supplementation on breast cancer.
• Carol Lange, Ph.D., co-leader of the Women's Cancer Research Program. Lange's research focuses on biological mechanisms that affect breast tumor growth.
• Todd Tuttle, M.D., Tuttle is a cancer surgeon who is researching why an increasing number of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast are choosing also to have the healthy breast surgically removed.
• Daniel Vallera, Ph.D. Vallera's laboratory develops new anti-cancer agents and translates them into clinical trials.
• Beth Virnig, Ph.D. co-leader of the Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship Resarch Program. Virnig studies cancer trends and outcomes at a population level.

Also attending the meeting were Mary Sumpmann, associate director, administration; Mary Lawson, director, public relations, Masonic Cancer Center; and Erika Nelson, Klobuchar's outreach director.