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August 23, 2019
MEMBER/CENTER HIGHLIGHTS
First Cohort of Scholars Completes Cancer-focused Summer Undergraduate Research (CanSUR) Program 
Though the summer academic break is often a time to relax and rest, as temperatures rose in Cleveland, so did the buzz across the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) as students from across the nation assembled for the  Cancer-focused Summer Undergraduate Research (CanSUR) Program.
Directed by  Mark Jackson, PhD, the inaugural year of the program amassed a staggering number of applications, nearly 300, in fact. Of those applications, 32 scholars were selected to spend their summers working alongside established researchers in Case CCC labs.

For 10 weeks from June through August, the undergraduate trainees were immersed in all aspects of cancer research. The best part, said Jackson, was the sense of camaraderie amongst the cohort that was evident from   week one's kick-off events. Mentors and junior mentors from various research programs across the Case CCC graciously gave of their time and expertise to the incredibly motivated scholars contributing to their lab activities.

Each Friday, the scholars gathered for "lunch and learn" sessions covering subjects in career and personal development as well as presentation skills and elevator pitch coaching. Their summer experience culminated in a symposium where each scholar gave concise presentations of lab work they took part in.  Photos from the program and final symposium now are available to view.

The Program is sustained by the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Research Education Grants Program, also known as the R25 mechanism, which supports educational activities to enhance the training of the nation's biomedical, behavioral and clinical research workforce. While we won't know for another five-to-ten years what the future has in store for our scholars as they choose career paths, scholar feedback as the program's first year came to a close was promising.

Applications for the 2020 program are expected to open November 1, 2019. Cancer Center Members who wish to volunteer as mentors or are interested in hosting additional students next year are encouraged to contact Gena Richmann at  [email protected].
$2.14M Grant from NCI to Fund Study of Family Caregiver Training led by Mazanec
The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center extends congratulations to  Susan Mazanec, PhD, RN  as she is leading a study recently granted $2.14 million from the National Cancer Institute to explore new approaches to training and preparing family caregivers of patients with cancer. Dr. Mazanec is an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University and a member of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center 's Cancer Prevention, Control, and Population Research Program. The study will recruit family caregivers of patients from University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and was designed with oncology clinicians from the Case CCC. more>
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Career Networking Happy Hour
August 28, 4-6p | Sears Think[box] 2nd Floor

The CWRU EnRICH Program and Biomedical  Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club welcome all School of Medicine graduate students, postdocs, faculty and staff to a Career Networking Happy Hour featuring Cleveland Biomedical Companies next Wednesday, August 28. The event will take place at the Sears Think[box] with parking available at the Veale parking garage. Food and beverages will be provided. Please RSVP to Tessiana at [email protected].
Cancer Center Guest Seminar
September 5, 1p | WRB 3-136

Please join us Thursday, September 5 at 1 pm in the Wolstein Research Building Conference Room 3-136 to hear from Graham W. Warren, MD, PhD. Dr. Warren is professor and Vice Chairman for Research in Radiation Oncology, departments of Radiation Oncology, Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at Hollings Cancer Center, part of the Medical University of South Carolina. He will present, "Improving the Effectiveness of Cancer Treatment by Addressing Tobacco Use."
Cancer Center Special Seminar
September 12, 4p | WRB 2-136

All are welcome to hear from Jennifer Cullen, PhD, MPH on Thursday, September 12 at 4 pm in the Wolstein Research Building Conference Room 2-136. Dr. Cullen is the Interim co-Director of the Center for Prostate Disease Research (CPDR) - a supported program of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine. She is also Director, Epidemiologic Research at the CPDR and associate research professor of surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). Dr. Cullen will present, "Leveraging a Racially Diverse, Military Cohort to Address Health Disparities in Prostate Cancer Outcomes, 1990-2017."
Save the Date: Women's Cancers Initiative Mini-Retreat
September 28, 8a-1p | WRB Auditorium

Members: as the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center builds the Women's Cancers Initiative, a mini-retreat will be held Saturday, September 28 to identify investigators, projects and general themes of research strengths and interests.

Please click here to register for the retreat should you wish to attend.  Our goal is to be as comprehensive as possible to ensure that all aspects of Women's Cancers research being conducted in Cleveland are represented at the retreat and in the initiative. Additional information regarding the retreat structure will be available soon.
Next Month: Cancer Center Seminar Series Returns for the 2019-2020 Academic Year
September 13, 12p | WRB Auditorium

Our interdisciplinary seminar series addresses cutting-edge clinical, translational, and basic research topics in cancer. Held weekly on Fridays at 12 pm in the Wolstein Research Building Auditorium, 1-413, attendees are able to interact with our speakers and receive CME credit for the educational activity.

Our series returns Friday, September 13, 2019 with Abhishek Chakraborty, PhD presenting, " Exploiting Dioxygenase Dysfunction to Target Cancer" on behalf of the GU Malignancies Program. Dr. Chakraborty is Assistant Staff, GU Malignancies Research Center at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute.

We look forward to seeing you each week as the academic year begins again. View the seminar series schedule>
Early Bird Registration: Artificial Intelligence in Oncology Symposium
Oct 24, 2019 | Tinkham Veale University Center
On October 24, the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center will host the inaugural Artificial Intelligence in Oncology Symposium: Advancements in Policy at Case Western Reserve University.

The symposium will bring together experts in AI and machine learning  as well as clinical, industry and federal agency experts in pathology, radiology, oncology and immuno-oncology to speak on research developments, regulatory policy, reimbursement and ethics surrounding AI.

Keynote Presentation
Sohrab Shah, PhD, Chief of Computational  Oncology
at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center will present a keynote entitled, "Co-evolution of Malignant and Immune Cells in High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer" at the symposium.

Symposium Highlights:
  • Focused panel discussions
  • Networking opportunities
  • Exhibitions available throughout the day
Be sure to register by August 30, 2019 to secure our discounted early bird registration. A discount for students and trainees who wish to attend is available. We look forward to seeing you in October!  Save your seat>
Early Bird Registration and Call for Abstracts: Innovators in AYA Cancer
Nov 14-15, 2019 | Tinkham Veale University Center
November 14-15, 2019 the Angie Fowler Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Research Initiative of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center will present  Innovators in AYA Cancer: Driving Science and Policy toward a Brighter Future for Teens and Young Adults with Cancer at Case Western Reserve University.

This symposium will engage physicians, practitioners, advocacy organizations, patients and survivors, their families and caregivers in a conversation about the steps being taken to improve outcomes and address challenges specific to cancer in the AYA population.

Call for Abstracts
Innovators in AYA Cancer will feature a poster session and Rising Star oral presentations. All students, postdocs, residents, fellows and faculty conducting research in AYA cancer are invited to submit abstracts. A committee will review abstracts based on the relationship to AYA cancers, novelty, significance of findings and clarity. Monetary prizes will be awarded. The deadline to submit abstracts is Friday, October 18, 2019.  View abstract submission instructions>

Be sure to register by October 18, 2019 to secure our discounted early bird registration. A discount for students and trainees who wish to attend is available. We look forward to seeing you in November! Save your seat>
Call for Abstracts: 4th Annual Cancer Disparities Symposium
March 6, 2020 | Tinkham Veale University Center

The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Office of Cancer Disparities Research will present the 4th Annual Cancer Disparities Symposium: Cultivating Science and Community Engagement to Address Cancer Health Disparities on March 6, 2020. 

The symposium  will feature keynote presentations by renowned  disparities  researchers and community leaders, a poster session highlighting academic research and community programs, networking session and an all-attendee forum.

Call for Abstracts
The 4th Annual Cancer Disparities Symposium is a premier event for presenting cutting-edge cancer disparities science and related community programs and services. The Office of Cancer Disparities Research will divide abstracts into two tracks: Scientific Research and Community Programs and Services. Scientific Research abstracts are encouraged from multidisciplinary researchers that are focused on various aspects of health disparities and/or community-focused science. Community programs and service abstracts are encouraged from organizations that provide programs and services that benefit the community. Meritorious abstracts will be selected for oral presentation. Abstracts must be submitted electronically by 5 pm EST on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. Learn more>

Further registration details will be released soon! Sign up for updates>
FEATURED PROFILE: STAFF
Julie DeJager Glavic, MA, Manager of Research Administrative Operations
Overseeing and managing the collection and organization of all program-related information needs of the Case CCC is our very own data wizard,   Julie Glavic ! She designs and implements systematic approaches to collecting and updating the information needed to ensure accuracy and timeliness in reporting across the center's 3 consortium institutions.

Julie is lead administrator for EVAL (a system designed by Forte primarily for NCI-designated cancer center data collection), developing processes for data collection and import into the system and designing reports to extract information for reporting and review purposes. She works closely with Program Leaders to ensure all required information meets the highest standards for relevance and accuracy, and provides ongoing guidance as needed in all aspects of Case CCC reporting requirements. She oversees and manages the production of grant applications, reports, and presentations that are initiated and submitted through the Case CCC, and maintains the active grants databases required by the NCI.

Outside of her work at the cancer center, Julie enjoys dabbling in ceramic handbuilding, biking to the "dinosaur museum" with her son and hiking with her family and bulldog. She claims she can toast a perfect marshmallow, but cooking anything else is best left to her husband. You can find Julie's neatly decorated office on the 3rd floor of the WRB!
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Open Funding Opportunities at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center is 
Case CCC logo
currently  accepting applications for the following additional  funding opportunities. Click each opportunity for award descriptions, funding criteria and application instructions.

Opportunities for Pilot Projects from American Cancer Society IRG Awards
EXTENDED LOI Deadline: Monday, August 26, 2019
Common Fund Initiative Funding Opportunities
NIH Director's New Innovator Award Program (DP2 Clinical Trial Optional)
Deadline: August 27, 2019
  • Must have Early Stage Investigator status (completed doctoral degree or postgraduate clinical training within last 10 years and never received an NIH R01 or equivalent award)
  • Single PI award
  • No preliminary data required
  • $1.5M in direct costs disbursed in first of 5 years
  • Minimum of 35% research effort
NIH Director's Pioneer Award Program (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional)
Deadline: September 6, 2019
  • Open to all career stages
  • Single PI award
  • No preliminary data required
  • Must be new scientific research direction
  • $700,000 in direct costs per year for up to 5 years
  • Minimum of 51% research effort in first 3 years
  • 3 letters of reference required
NIH Director's Transformative Research Awards (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

Deadline: September 21, 2019

  • Open to all career stages
  • Open to individuals or teams
  • No preliminary data required
  • Flexible budgets
  • Effort commensurate to project needs
Conquer Cancer Awards
Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, is accepting applications for the funding opportunities below. Click each opportunity for award descriptions, funding criteria and application instructions.

Career Development Award
Deadline: September 25, 2019
Provides research funding to clinical investigators who have received their initial faculty appointments.

Young Investigator Award
Deadline: September 25, 2019
Provides research funding to promising physicians to support the transition from final years of training to faculty appointments. 

Global Oncology Young Investigator Award
Deadline: September 25, 2019
Provides research funding to early-career investigators to encourage and promote quality research in global oncology. 

$1.5M Gateway Discovery Grant in Immunotherapy Research
Deadline: September 27, 2019
Provides funding of up to $1.5 million to support immunotherapy research. 

Medical Student Rotation for Underrepresented Populations
Deadline: October 31, 2019
Provides financial support for U.S. medical students from populations underrepresented in medicine to complete a clinical or clinical research oncology rotation. 

Resident Travel Award for Underrepresented Populations
Deadline: October 31, 2019
Provides financial support for residents from populations underrepresented in medicine to attend the ASCO Annual Meeting. 
IN THE NEWS
Life-saving research going on in Cleveland
Fox 8 Cleveland - July 31, 2019
Co-Leader of the Case CCC's GI Cancer Genetics Program  John Wang, PhD and his "colon cancer dream team" are featured in this video by Fox 8, explaining how they are starving the fast-growing cancer of glutamine in order to cause cancer cell death.
Chicago Tribune - August 19, 2019
A study by researchers at CWRU found that rates of obesity-related cancers are rising among people aged 50 to 64. Senior author  Nathan A. Berger, MD and lead author Siran M. Koroukian, PhD provide insight.
NIH BULLETIN - Notices and Funding Opportunities
Notices
Notice of FY2020 Cohort Dates for PA-19-029, Innovation Corps (I-Corps) at NIH Program for NIH and CDC Translational Research (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Notice to Extend the Expiration Date for PA-18-141 "Mechanisms, Models, Measurement, & Management in Pain Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)"

Notice to Extend the Expiration Date for PA-18-159 "Mechanisms, Models, Measurement, & Management in Pain Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)"
IN THIS ISSUE
EVENTSevents
Tues, Aug 27
Cancer Impact Lecture
Yogen  Saunthararajah, MD, THOR, Cleveland Clinic
1p NE1-205
Weds, Aug 28
Career Networking Happy Hour
Hosted by EnRICH and BIEC 4-6p Sears Think[box]
Thurs, Aug 29
Developmental Therapeutics Journal Club
9a NE6-218

Molecular Biology and Microbiology Virology Journal Club
1p SOM W203
Tues, Sept 3
Immuno-Oncology Seminar Series
Subra Malarkannan, PhD
Nan Gardetto Chair of Immunology and Immunotherapy
Professor of Medicine-Hematology & Oncology
Medical College of Wisconsin
Blood Research Institute, Blood Center of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI
1p NE1-205
Thurs, Sept 5
Developmental Therapeutics Journal Club
9a NE6-218

Molecular Biology and Microbiology Virology Journal Club
1p SOM W203

Cancer Center Guest Seminar
Graham W. Warren, MD, PhD
Professor 
Vice Chairman for Research in Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiation Oncology Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Hollings Cancer Center 
Medical University of South Carolina
"Improving the Effectiveness of Cancer Treatment by Addressing Tobacco Use"
3p WRB 3-136
Fri, Sept 6
Taussig Cancer Institute Grand Rounds
8a CA5-120
ADDITIONAL UPCOMING SYMPOSIUMS & EVENTS

prev-funding
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED OPPORTUNITIES

Deadline: Open

Deadline: Open

Deadline: Open
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center