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Upcoming Events

JAN

9

Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Grand Rounds: David Zhang, MD, PhD, "AI for Prostate Cancer Pathology - Hype or Today's Reality"

This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

12:00 PM - 1:00PM

Event Contact: Kyung Bae, klbae@hs.uci.edu

In-person: UCIMC Bldg 53 Auditorium

Virtual: Email event contact for zoom link

JAN

9

UC Lung Cancer Consortium Lung Cancer Investigators Project Updates

Tina Li, MD, PhD (UCSF), Emerging Novel Targets in Malignant Mesothelioma

David Wong, DMD, DMSc (UCLA), Novel Multi-Omics Ultra-short ctDNA for Early Detection of NSCLC

Stephanie Hachey, MS, PhD (UCI) and Sandip Patel, MD (UCSD), KRAS and STK11/KEAP1 in NSCLC

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Virtual Meeting

Register for zoom link

JAN

10

Department of Neurological Surgery Grand Rounds: Benjamin Uy, MD, PhD, "Immunotherapies: Tandem Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells Targeting IL-13RA2 and TGF-B to Potentiate An Anti-Tumor Response in GBM"

This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Event Contact: Bianca Gutierrez, biancag5@hs.uci.edu

In-person: 200 Manchester, 2nd Floor, Suite 212

Virtual: Email event contact for zoom link

JAN

10

Genetics, Biomedical Computing and Genomics Seminar Series: Rui Chen, PhD, "Advancements in Single-Cell Transcriptomics Through Long-Read scRNA-seq, Spatial Analysis, and GPT"

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Host: GRT Hub

Virtual Meeting

Join zoom meeting

JAN

16

Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series: Nancy Carrasco, MD

Community Lecture: A Look into the Black Box: Uncovering the Remarkable Biology of an Elusive Protein  

7:00 PM

The Beckman Center, Irvine

Register Here

JAN

17

Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series: Nancy Carrasco, MD

Scientific Lecture: The Tale of the Sodium/Iodide Symporter (NIS): From Cloning to Structure 

12:00 PM

UCI Medical Education Building

Register Here

JAN

17

UCI Skin Distinguished Speaker Series: Brian Capell, MD, PhD, "Epithelial Epigenetics: Chromatin at the Nexus of Epithelial Development, Differentiation, and Disease"

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Host: UCI SKIN A Skin Biology Resource Center

In-person: Gross Hall, Thorp Conference Center (4th Floor)

Virtual: Join zoom meeting

FEB

5

CFCCC and CRI Research in Progress Quarterly Seminar: Devon Lawson, PhD, "Tumor Initiation and Metastasis in BRCA1 Mutant Breast Cancer"

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Hosts: Warren Chow, MD, FACP & David Fruman, PhD

Virtual Meeting

Register for zoom link

FEB

21

8th Annual UCI Skin Symposium

9:00 AM - 5:30 PM

UCI Gross Hall, Thorp Conference Center (4th floor)

Register Here

Poster Submissions

FEB

27

Chao Lectureship: Karen Winkfield, MD, PhD

Community Lecture: Trust and the National Cancer Plan: Empowering our Community

5:00 PM Reception, 6:00 PM Lecture

The Beckman Center, Irvine

Register Here

FEB

28

Chao Lectureship: Karen Winkfield, MD, PhD

Scientific Lecture: Implementing COE Strategies: Enhancing a Cancer Center’s Impact in the Community

10:00 AM Lecture, followed by social lunch

UCI Gross Hall, Thorp Conference Center (4th floor)

Register Here

Belonging, Equity and Empowerment (BEE) Scene

Accepting Nominations! Learning about each other cultivates an inclusive environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute and succeed. Nominate a colleague for a spotlight showcasing their unique stories beyond their roles at the CFCCC. Faculty, staff, and self-nominations are encouraged.

Beyond Cancer Spotlight: Krystina Jarema


We're excited to spotlight Krystina Jarema, Manager of Administrative Programs on the CFCCC Research Administration team. With nine years of experience supporting UCI's cancer research community, Krystina’s early life values have shaped her educational and career path, leading to her role in supporting researchers and clinicians in advancing their work. Learn more about her story and interests, including the intentional ways in which she builds her own sense of community and belonging at UCI.

Learn More About Krystina

New Staff & Promotions

Joe Brook

Sr. Regulatory Affairs Coordinator

jbrook@hs.uci.edu


Joe Brook is a graduate of California State University Fullerton with a bachelor’s degree in Communications – Public Relations. He has 8 years of prior experience as a Research Professional for University of Colorado Cancer Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, coordinating sponsored clinical trials for various types of cancer and cancer investigative products. His background experience includes, but is not limited to, entering subject data in multiple industry EDC systems, consenting and screening subjects, participating in clinical research procedures, providing oversight of research activities, working with outside vendors, making regulatory submissions to a variety of oversight committees and regulatory authorities, and providing supervision of staff in regulatory affairs. His experience includes working through the entire life cycle of a clinical study, from study and site initiation until close out, while supporting patient safety, privacy, and ethical conduct of study activities.



Ashwini Ravichandran

Asst. Clinical Research Coordinator

aravich2@hs.uci.edu


Ashwini Ravichandran is a graduate of Avinashilingam University in India with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology and master’s degree in Bioinformatics. She has 4 years of prior experience as a Research Study Coordinator coordinating safety pharmacology and toxicology studies for Altasciences Research in Seattle and has been a Research Assistant for a year focused on Oncology for MemorialCare in California. Her background experience includes report management for formulation, manufacturing, and analytical chemistry, screening subjects, participating in tumor boards, performing research data collection and data entry into a variety of Electronic Data Capture systems providing oversight of research activities and facilitating meetings with Principal Investigators and study sponsors. She has experience working under HIPAA compliance and interacting with patients in order to support patient safety, privacy, and well-being. 



Announcements

NEW! Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials: Career Development Award (Winn CDA)


The Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials: Career Development Award (Winn CDA)* for Early-Stage Investigator Physicians is now accepting applications for its fifth cohort of scholars. Please visit the website for more details on eligibility and the program. 


*Formerly known as the Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials: Career Development Award.


Register for an upcoming informational webinar to learn more about the Winn CDA:

• Monday, Jan. 13, noon PT | Register

• Tuesday, Feb. 4, 11 a.m. PT | Register

• Thursday, March 13, 8 a.m. PT | Register

NEW! Physician Scientist Collective Network Hosts Daniela Bota, MD, PhD 


Lessons from Being a Woman Leader in Translational Research: Bridging Science, Patient Care and Family Priorities by Daniela Bota, MD, PhD, Vice Dean for Clinical Research & Professor of Neurology, Director, UCI Alpha Clinic, Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, UCI School of Medicine

• Coffee & Refreshments – 3:30 to 4 p.m.

• Presentation – 4 to 5 p.m. 

During coffee and refreshments, you can meet Dr. Bota and your colleagues. The School of Medicine Research Development staff will host office hours to address research-related questions.


Tuesday, January 21, 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Location: Sprague Hall, Conference Room 105


Register Here >>

NEW! Navigating the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy: Support and Resources from UCI Libraries


Join this informative session for an overview of the new NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy and its key elements, and learn about support and resources available at UCI Libraries to help you effectively meet the requirements.


Wednesday, January 22

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Online


Register for the Workshop >>

NEW! NCI CCHE Supplemental Awards Workshop 


UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center is offering a free NCI CCHE Supplemental Awards Workshop on the planning and submission of NCI individual trainee applications (i.e., F31, K01 & K08). 


NCI Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (CCHE) are administrative supplements to promote the diversity of the research workforce by recruiting, mentoring, and supporting research training for individuals throughout the continuum from high school students to early[1]stage investigators. 


This webinar will also cover the planning and submission for PIs of existing grants awards such as R01, P01 and P50. Tips on preparing a strong application will also be a major focus of the workshop. The goal of the webinar is to increase the number extramural support for research studies. The workshop will be on January 24, 2025, from 11:00 AM-12:30 PM EST. 


Learn More >>

NEW! Bringing Biology to the Patient: A Collaborative Faculty Retreat


You’re invited to attend Bringing Biology to the Patient: A Collaborative Faculty Retreat with the UCI School of Medicine and the UCI Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences. All event details, including the agenda, can be found on the Faculty Research Retreat website.  


Thursday, Feb.13, 2025, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m

Location: Beall Applied Innovation


Register Here >>

NEW! Trainee Membership & Travel Awards


Cancer Research Training & Education Coordination (CRTEC) is excited to introduce Trainee Membership - a trainee community for those involved in oncology-focused clinical training or cancer research (basic, population science, and clinical). 


Please encourage your trainees to complete the application to unlock benefits that enhance their education and training, including eligibility for Travel Awards. Travel Awards application deadlines: 


•January 21: For conferences between February 1 and April 30

•April 1: For conferences between May 1 and July 31

•July 1: For conferences between August 1 and October 31

•October 1: For conferences between November 1 and January 31


*Only one trainee per CFCCC member per conference may receive an award; a Letter of Support must be included in the application. 


Questions? Contact cfcccadmin@hs.uci.edu.


Learn More >>

UCI NIH Boot Camp Informational Sessions


The Research Development Unit will host three virtual informational sessions about the UCI NIH Boot Camp, a comprehensive, multifaceted mentoring program designed to help faculty and career researchers apply for their first research grants from NIH. Attend one to learn more about this program and how to apply for the upcoming 2025 UCI NIH Boot Camp! Learn more.

Applications are due February 10, 2025.


Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, Noon - 1 p.m. | Register

Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, 9 - 10 a.m. | Register

Cancer Clinical Trial Bootcamp - Now Accepting Applications


The Cancer Research Training & Education Coordination (CRTEC) is accepting applications for the Cancer Clinical Trial Bootcamp, an intensive 16-week program that equips clinical faculty and fellows with the skills to systematically design and write investigator-initiated cancer clinical trial protocols.

Application deadline: January 14, 2025


Learn More and Apply >>

Oncology Summer Internship (OSI) - Now Accepting Applications


CRTEC is accepting applications for the OSI, a comprehensive 4-week program that offers first-year UCI medical students an immersive exploration of oncology-related specialities through clinical shadowing, networking, mentorship, and more. 


Questions? Contact Kimberly Castellanos, Program Coordinator, Training & Education


Learn More >>

UCI Health Clinical Research Website Launch


We're excited to announce the launch of the new UCI Clinical Research website! This platform marks a significant step forward in advancing medical knowledge and providing valuable resources to patients, researchers, healthcare professionals and sponsors.


Visit the website at clinicalresearch.ucihealth.org

Experimental Tissue Shared Resource (ETR) Offers Custom Tissue Microarray and Brightfield Whole Slides Scanning


The ETR is excited to discuss your project’s study design and tissue needs. We can now create custom tissue microarrays (TMA) with tissue you provide or human tissue remnants and scan whole histology slides at 40X. Selection of optimal representative tissue regions can be performed by our pathologist. 

 

We can provide histology support for special transcriptomics platforms supported by GTH Share Resource

 

Questions? Contact Delia Tifrea, ETR Core Manager, 714-872-1093

Biobehavioral Shared Resource (BBSR) Consultation & Comprehensive Project Request


The BBSR is excited to discuss your project’s study design and needs, as well as see how our new menu of services can best support your project goals.


During our “Consultation Meeting” we’ll learn more about your project and how the BBSR can support your team. Ready to schedule? Complete the "Consultation Request" on iLab.


Questions? Contact Jose Lechuga, BBSR Core Manager

Biostatistics Shared Resource (BSR) - In-person Walk-in or Zoom Consultations Available


Informal statistical in-person walk-in or via Zoom consultations are available to discuss your study design and statistical needs. 


With Wen-pin Chen, MS, Senior Statistician & Manager for BSR:

Funding Opportunities

For a curated list of internal, federal and foundation funding opportunities, please refer to CFCCC's Funding Opportunities webpage. Highlighted funding opportunities are listed below.


UCI & UC FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES


NEW! School of Medicine New Investigator Faculty Research Grant

The School of Medicine Research Committee is pleased to announce the School of Medicine New Investigator Faculty Research Grant competition. It is the policy of the Committee to support seed research projects from new investigators that have a high probability of obtaining extramural funding as a result of this award. To qualify, the applicant must have the NIH “Early Stage Investigator” status and not yet competed successfully as a PI to receive substantial independent NIH funding. Please submit inquiries to somrd@hs.uci.edu.


Deadline: Thursday, March 6, 2025

Apply via InfoReady >>


Faculty Seed Grants in Cancer Research 2025-26 Request for Proposals

Purpose: To provide a one-year seed grants for topics in any discipline that address any aspect of cancer, including its origins, prevention and cure. CRCC funds support meritorious research spanning all areas from basic research to applied clinical and community-based research in any field relevant to cancer. 


There will be an applicant webinar on Friday, Jan. 10, at 1:30 p.m. | Register 

If you are a first-time applicant and/or new to SmartSimple, attendance is highly recommended.  


Eligibility: PIs must be members of the Academic Senate at one of the 10 UC campuses. 

Letter of Intent: January 23, 2025

Applications: April 3, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


UCI CFCCC: A1 Bridge

Up to $20k in bridge funding to investigators who have received scores on NIH grant applications (i.e., not triaged) that have missed the funding pay line and will be resubmitted.

Applications: Due on a rolling basis

Learn More and Apply >>

FOUNDATION FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES


NEW! 2025 V Foundation Women Scientists Innovation Award for Cancer Research

The Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center is seeking to nominate ONE candidate for the 2025 V Foundation Women Scientists Innovation Award for Cancer Research. This RFA is specifically to fund women cancer researchers via two grant mechanisms: a) V Scholar or b) Translational Grant. The special focus area is restricted to adult cancer research. Please note that research areas in epidemiology, behavioral science, and health services are outside the scope of this grant.

The SOLE nominee may apply in either the V Scholar or Translational grant type.

Deadline: January 12, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


California Breast Cancer Research Program: Californians Linking Action With Science For Prevention Of Breast Cancer (CLASP-BC): Phase 2 Full Awards 

Purpose: To advance the primary prevention of breast cancer by developing, disseminating, implementing, and evaluating high-impact population-based primary prevention interventions.

Proposals due: March 6, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


St. Baldrick's Foundation Summer Fellow Awards

Focus area: undergraduate, graduate, and medical school students who will work in a pediatric oncology research setting for a summer.

$5k / 8-10 weeks in the summer

Proposals due: February 20, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES


Utilizing the PLCO Biospecimens Resource to Bridge Gaps in Cancer Etiology and Early Detection Research (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Purpose: To advance research in cancer etiology and early detection biomarkers, utilizing the advantages of the unique biorepository resources of the NCI-sponsored Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer (PLCO) Screening Trial.

Letter of Intent: January 10, 2025

Applications: February 10, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


Pragmatic Trials across the Cancer Control Continuum (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required)

Purpose: To support research that tests the impact of cancer-related interventions on cancer-related outcomes across the cancer control continuum using a pragmatic trial study design. This NOFO will use the UG3/UH3 phased cooperative agreement mechanism. 

Letter of Intent: January 14, 2025

Applications: February 14, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


Innovative Approaches to Studying Cancer Communication in the New Information Ecosystem (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

Purpose: to support meritorious research projects in three distinct domains related to cancer communication: 1) the utility and application of new cancer communication surveillance approaches; 2) the development and testing of rapid cancer communication interventions using innovative methods and designs; and 3) the development and testing of multilevel cancer communication models emphasizing bidirectional influence between levels.

Deadline: February 5, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Purpose: To support innovative studies designed to investigate biological/genetic contributors of cancer health disparities, such as (1) mechanistic studies of biological factors associated with cancer health disparities, including those related to basic research in cancer biology or cancer prevention strategies, (2) the development and testing of new methodologies and models, and (3) secondary data analyses. 

Deadline: February 5, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Purpose: To facilitate a timely transition of talented postdoctoral researchers with a research and/or clinical doctorate degree from mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions. The program will provide independent NIH research support during this transition in order to help awardees to launch competitive, independent research careers.

Deadline: February 13, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


Secondary Analysis and Integration of Existing Data to Elucidate Cancer Risk and Related Outcomes (R21 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)

Purpose: To conduct secondary data analysis and integration of existing datasets and database resources, with the ultimate aim to elucidate cancer risk and related outcomes (e.g., risk prediction or reduction, survival, or response to treatment, etc.). The goal of this initiative is to address key scientific questions relevant to cancer by supporting the analysis of existing clinical, environmental, surveillance, health services, vital statistics, behavioral, lifestyle, genomic, and molecular profiles data.

Deadline: February 16, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


Systematic Testing of Radionuclides in Preclinical Experiments (STRIPE) (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Purpose: to study effects of different types of radiation used in radionuclide-based therapeutics (e.g., radiopharmaceutical therapy) on normal tissue, tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment.

Deadline: February 16, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


The Metastasis Research Network (MetNet): MetNet Research Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Purpose: to provide support to promote research efforts on the use of integrative systems-level approaches to address a defined gap in metastasis research.

Letter of Intent: May 20, 2025

Applications: June 20, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


NCI Small Grants Program for Cancer Research (NCI Omnibus) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-25-078)

Purpose: to provide support to well-defined projects in any area of cancer research using the NIH R03 small grant mechanism.

Deadline: February 24, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


Notice of Funding Opportunity: Mechanistic links between diet, lipid metabolism, and tumor growth and progression (UH2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Purpose: to provide support to applications that propose mechanistic investigations of the links between diet, lipid metabolism and tumor growth and progression. It is anticipated that this program will support fundamental studies designed to identify and define the molecular mechanisms through which lipid metabolism mediates tumor growth and progression, focusing specifically on the central role lipids play in linking diet with the biology of cancer; bridge the historically divided fields of nutrition and molecular metabolism; and stimulate research and tool development in this emerging area, which faces particular challenges because of the complexity of lipid biochemistry. 

Deadline: February 14, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


Notice of Funding Opportunity: Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)

Purpose: to support studies that will identify, develop, and/or test strategies for overcoming barriers to the adoption, adaptation, integration, sustainability, scale-up, and spread of evidence-based interventions, practices, programs, tools, treatments, guidelines, and policies (herein referred to collectively as evidence-based interventions). Studies that promote equitable dissemination and implementation of evidence-based interventions among underrepresented communities are encouraged. Conversely, there is a benefit in understanding circumstances that create a need to stop or reduce (de-implement) the use of practices that are ineffective, unproven, low-value, or harmful.

Deadline: February 16, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


Notice of Funding Opportunity: Academic-Industrial Partnerships (AIP) to Translate and Validate In Vivo Imaging Systems (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

Purpose: to stimulate translation of scientific discoveries and engineering developments in imaging, data science and/or spectroscopic technologies into methods or tools that address contemporary problems in understanding the fundamental biology, potential risk of development, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer.

Deadline: February 5, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


Notice of Funding Opportunity: Modular R01s in Cancer Control and Population Sciences (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

Purpose: to provide support to promote research efforts on novel scientific ideas that have the potential to substantially advance cancer research in statistical and analytic methods, epidemiology, cancer survivorship, cancer-related behaviors and behavioral interventions, health care delivery, digital health and data science, and implementation science.

Deadline: February 5, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


Notice of Special Interest: Administrative Supplements for Assessing Capacity to Address Obesity for Cancer Prevention and Control

Purpose: to support ongoing developments in obesity prevention indicate that using multiple policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) approaches across the diverse sectors that influence obesity offer considerable promise, but few efforts have been made to carefully evaluate such whole of systems, or PSE, approaches. Foundational work is needed to help set the stage for investigators from academic institutions, cancer centers, other research organizations, and community partners to lead collaborative groups to organize, implement, and evaluate such approaches. Furthermore, determining which specific combination of PSE approaches are most appropriate for a specific community requires significant preparatory work.

Deadline: February 3, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>


Newsroom

Anand Ganesan, MD, PhD (Dermatology), received a three-year $600k grant from the LEO Foundation for his project titled, “Identifying New, Molecularly-targeted Treatments for Rosacea.”


This project investigates the role of RhoJ and CDC42 GTPase signaling in the development of rosacea, focusing on the activation of the innate immune system and increased blood vessel formation. By employing single cell and spatial transcriptomics, the research aims to identify rosacea-inducing signals and evaluate the effectiveness of new CDC42 inhibitors in preventing angiogenesis, with the ultimate goal of discovering new drug targets and treatments for rosacea.


Read More >>

New technique triggers immune response in cells with damaged DNA


Biological chemistry researchers have found a way to trigger an inflammatory immune response in cells with damaged DNA, a discovery that may lead to more effective treatments for cancer. Their study found that UV irradiation or certain chemotherapeutic drugs activate a specific response when cells are too damaged to be repaired correctly, preventing them from becoming cancerous. “The implications of this research are far-reaching, because it reveals how cells can respond to injury even when they’re severely compromised,” says Rémi Buisson, an associate professor of biological chemistry, shown above, flanked by postdoctoral fellow Elodie Bournique and graduate student Ambrocio Sanchez.


Read More >>

The Mystery of What’s Causing Young People’s Cancer Leads to the Gut

The Wall Street Journal, Jan. 3, 2025


At the University of California, Irvine, cancer biologist Selma Masri has shown in mice that changing the body’s internal clock, called the circadian rhythm, changes the diversity and abundance of gut bacteria. … She also found a link between disrupting the circadian clock and colorectal cancer. Masri and some other scientists think near-constant light from cellphones, laptops and other devices could throw off internal clocks and promote cancer growth by tampering with the immune system, metabolism and the microbiome. 


Read More >>

Grammy-award winning rock band musician beats lung cancer


After 20 years of touring with Green Day, Jason Freese had to step away from his keyboard and saxophone last January to focus on beating lung cancer at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.


Read More >>

Questions? Contact us at cfcccadmin@hs.uci.edu