We’re Not Gonna Sink

It has been a challenging few weeks, with uncertain and, in some cases, concerning implications of pending governmental changes on the work we do, let alone the lives we lead. Yet, I have hope that we will find a way forward. I have never been more hopeful about GUMC, and anybody who attended the GUMC Town Hall on Thursday afternoon will surely understand why. Norman Beauchamp inspires optimism and radiates authenticity and capability. Whatever comes our way, I am confident that we’ll find a way to excel and succeed. With that in mind, I thought I would share a personal reflection that you might find interesting and illuminating. Read more.

Lombardi Lectures & Meetings

Join these lectures in the New Research Building Auditorium (Zoom option).

Join these meetings in W302 (Zoom option).

Oral Health Scholars Raise Awareness About the Relationship Between Oral and Systemic Health

While often treated as something separate from overall health, oral health can act as an early warning system for serious conditions including cancer and heart disease. With funding from the George E. Richmond Foundation, researchers at Georgetown Lombardi are training graduate and undergraduate students to educate their communities about the importance of oral health and studying how to promote oral health in cancer survivors via a novel telehealth intervention. Read more about this work.

At-Home Therapy Via Smart Speaker Can Help Cancer Survivors Solve Insomnia

A study recently completed at MedStar Health Research Institute and published in JAMA Open Network by researchers including Cancer Prevention & Control member Hannah Arem, PhD, has found that cognitive behavioral therapy delivered at home via a daily, voice-activated smart speaker can significantly improve insomnia symptoms in patients after breast cancer treatment. Read more about this research.

Mini-Symposium: Successful Grant Submission 101

Georgetown Lombardi member Barry Hudson, PhD, presents this virtual mini-symposium on Tuesday, December 3, from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. for GUMC faculty who are new to the grant submission process. Attendees will learn about the basics of grant submission and how to develop successful proposals. Contact Dr. Puru Tiwari (pbt7@georgetown.edu) with questions. RSVP to attend.

Georgetown Women in Medicine Hosts Wine and Cheese Social

Georgetown Women in Medicine (GWIM), an organization dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment for medical women faculty at Georgetown, will host a wine and cheese social meeting on Tuesday, December 3, from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. in the School of Medicine Lobby. Join members for an evening of socializing, networking and discussing the future of GWIM, with remarks from GUMC EVP Dr. Norman Beauchamp Jr. and MGUH President Dr. Lisa Boyle. RSVP by Nov. 30. Contact gwim@georgetown.edu with questions.

Mark Your Calendar: Radiation Sciences Working Group Meeting

The next Radiation Sciences Working Group meeting will take place Thursday, December 12, from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. It features the presentations “Overview of Research Activities at the Radiation Physics Division of Department of Radiation Medicine” by Dalong Pang, PhD, chief, Radiation Physics Division, MedStar Health, and “Treatment Planning Automation for Proton RT” Parts 1 and 2, by Peter Jermain, PhD, and Mohammad Zarenia, PhD, radiation physics residents. Join this meeting via Zoom.

Georgetown Lombardi Developmental Funds Request for Proposals

Proposals are now being accepted for grant opportunities designed to provide developmental funds for the initiation of promising new cancer-related projects leading to multi-PI (MPI) peer-reviewed funding and high-impact publications, with an emphasis in cross-consortium collaborations and/or inter-programmatic collaborations. Projects will be funded by CCSG, BellRinger and other gifts as available, as well as institutional funds.

Projects may be submitted for consideration in two categories:

• Large multi-project pilots that will lead to a P01, SPORE or U grant (1-year award at up to $100,000, with the option of renewal dependent on progress)
• Smaller pilots that will lead to an MPI R01 submission (1-year award of up to $50,000)

Proposed projects must have a cancer-relevant research focus, including basic, clinical, translational, or population sciences, with additional requirements for each category. Submissions will be reviewed and scored based on current NCI review processes by a peer-review committee. View full proposal requirements and application instructions. All applications are due January 6, 2025, to Sharon Levy (sgl5@georgetown.edu).

Save The Date: The 2025 MedStar Health-Georgetown University Research & Education Symposium

Each year, the MedStar Health-Georgetown University Research & Education Symposium brings together investigators, educators, executive leaders, associates and collaborative partners from across our academic health system to share research, build meaningful relationships, and advance health for our communities. Please mark your calendars to attend this celebration of research and education across our academic health system partnership on Monday, May 19, 2025, at the North Bethesda Marriott. A call for abstract submissions will be announced this fall.

Applications Due Today: AIM-AHEAD PAID Training Opportunities!

AI and machine learning are transforming the research field, but underrepresented groups are not yet fully benefiting. The National Institutes of Health’s AIM-AHEAD program has released multiple PAID training opportunities in AI and machine learning for graduate students, postdocs, early career faculty, health care professionals, and other non-academic professionals from underrepresented populations.

• Application Due: November 18, 11:59 p.m. ET
• Notice of Award: January 6, 2025

Visit Lombardi DEI Funding Announcement webpage for more information to apply to each of the five programs.Copy

3:00 - 4:15 p.m.

Georgetown University Med & Nursing Faculty-Student Dialogue on AI

In a collaborative discussion on the practical applications of artificial intelligence in teaching, research and learning, School of Medicine and Nursing faculty and students share their experiences and perspectives on how AI is enhancing academic work. Sponsored by CNDLS. Register for this Zoom session.

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Department of Microbiology & Immunology Seminar: “Systematic Identification of Molecular Mediators Underlying Polymicrobial Sensing and Responses in Pseudomonas aeruginosa”

Presented by Tiffany Zarrella, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Biology, Georgetown University. Join this seminar in Med-Dent NE301 or via Zoom. (Add to Google Calendar)

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Bhussry Seminar Series: “White Nose Syndrome: A Fungal Wildlife Disease of Bats”

Presented by Evan Pannkuk, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Oncology, secondary appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center. Sponsored by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology. Join this seminar in Basic Science 341 or via Zoom. (Add to Google Calendar)

12:00 - 1:15 p.m.

I2I OTC Seminar Series: “Preparing for Pre-Seed: How to Attract Early-Stage Investors”

Lydia McClure, CEO of Research Bridge Partners, leads a seminar for researchers, inventors and graduate students explaining how to attract early stage investors and prepare for pre-seed funding, with tips on crafting compelling pitches and building relationships. Held in Warwick Evans Conference Room, Building D. Register. (Add to Google Calendar)

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Computational Biology Working Group Meeting

Agenda includes the presentation “Developing a Harmonized Data Ecosystem to Accelerate Cancer Research at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center” by Vasileios Stathias, PhD, assistant director, data science; lead data scientist, molecular and cellular pharmacology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. Join this meeting via Zoom. (Add to Google Calendar)

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Cancer Research Data Meeting

Presentation by Maryam Abdussamad, PhD student in the Tumor Biology Program. Join this meeting in-person in W302 New Research Building with Zoom option. (Add to Google Calendar)

6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

2024 Luminary Awards in GI Cancers



Join the Ruesch Center for this year’s Luminary Awards in GI Cancer at the Westin Georgetown, Washington, D.C. The Luminary Awards honors individuals who have made transformative strides in the lives of patients with Gastrointestinal Cancers. Learn more about this year’s honorees. For questions or to register, email rueschcenter@georgetown.edu.

15th Annual Ruesch Center Symposium: Innovations in GI Cancer

The 15th Annual Ruesch Center Symposium: Innovations in GI Cancer will be held in person on November 22 to 23 at the Westin Georgetown. The symposium provides a unique forum for discussion, networking, and debate on critical issues related to GI cancers.

Presented as part of the symposium: Thomas R. Schafer Memorial Lecture, Friday, November 22, 1:20 - 2:20 p.m., featuring Anirban Maitra, MBBS, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center presenting “Why Is Pancreatic Cancer So Hard To Treat and What Can We Do About It.”

Registration is free for Georgetown and MedStar staff and trainees with the promo code Guest2024. View the full agenda and register.

Publications

Cancer Survivor Preferences on the Timing and Content of Interventions to Mitigate Financial Toxicity Associated With Cancer Treatment

Wnt Signalosomes: What We Know That We Do Not Know

Multilevel Facilitators and Barriers to Healthcare Organization and Delivery among Childhood Cancer Survivors

Ultradeep O-GlcNAc Proteomics Reveals Widespread O-GlcNAcylation on Tyrosine Residues of Proteins

Reducing UVR Exposure in Pregnant Women and Infants: A Pilot Study

Development and Refinement of a Chatbot for Birthing Individuals and Newborn Caregivers: Mixed Methods Study



A Multidimensional Assessment of In-Host Fitness Costs of Drug Resistance in the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Candida glabrata

In the News

The Eagle BellRinger Bike Ride Raises Millions of Dollars For Cancer Research

St. Baldrick’s Foundation Spring Grant Cycle

The following programs/categories are available in the Spring Cycle:

• St. Baldrick's Scholar (Career Development) Award: Intended to help develop the independent research of highly qualified individuals early in their careers.
• St. Baldrick's Research Grant Awards: For specific two-year research projects that are hypothesis driven and may be either laboratory, clinical, or epidemiological.

One LOI/application can be submitted per award per institution, with an exception for the following areas: brain tumors – all types, including rare forms; Burkitt lymphoma (all types, especially sporadic); Ewing sarcoma; rhabdoid tumors – extrarenal. Those interested should send the title of their project and a one-paragraph synopsis to Sharon Levy via email (sgl5@georgetown.edu) by Sunday, Dec. 1.

Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award

The Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award supports independent young physician-scientists conducting disease-oriented research that demonstrates a high level of innovation and creativity. The award will provide $600,000 over three years in financial support for the investigator’s scientific needs. In addition, the foundation will retire up to $100,000 of medical school debt owed by the awardee. Five nominations will be accepted for review from Georgetown. Finalists will be invited to be interviewed by the selection committee. Only one application will be accepted from a mentor (including co-mentorships) per review session. View detailed award information, eligibility criteria, application guidelines and forms. As soon as possible, those interested should contact Sharon Levy (sgl5@georgetown.edu), who will connect them with the appropriate institutional supports to apply. Institutional application deadline: Feb. 3, 2025.

Melanoma Research Alliance RFP for Multiple Awards

The Melanoma Research Alliance has issued a request for proposals for preclinical, translational and early clinical research with the potential to produce unusually high impact, near-term advancements in melanoma prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment.

This cycle, proposals will be accepted for Established Investigator Awards, Academic-Industry Partnership Award (for Established Investigator Awards), Young Investigator Awards, Pilot Awards, Dermatology Career Development Awards and Special Opportunity Team Science Awards, Academic-Industry Partnership Award (for Special Opportunity Team Science Awards). View full descriptions of each award opportunity offered, including all Special Opportunities, as well as eligibility criteria and instructions.

Key deadlines:

• January 6: Invited Special Opportunity Team Science Award full proposals due
• April 2025: Awardees notified of funding decisions

Federal Grants Digest: Colleges & Universities Edition



A weekly curated digest of federal funding opportunities of interest to colleges and universities to support programming, research, infrastructure and other efforts, provided by Thorn Run Partners. View current issue (for November 13, 2024).

8:00 AM | Division Weekly Update Meeting | Podium A / Microsoft Teams

8:30 AM | Monday Morning Oncology Report | Inpatient Oncology Fellow | Podium A / Microsoft Teams

9:00 AM | Breast Research Meeting | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 528 212 194)

11:00 AM | GU/Melanoma Research Meeting | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 796 253 566)

4:00 PM | GU Tumor Board (on 1st/3rd Mondays of the month) | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 869 742 463)

9:00 AM | Hematology Path Conference - Inpatient Heme fellows + Outpatient Heme + BMT fellow | Podium A / Microsoft Teams (CME code: 80737; phone: 202-796-7323)

4:00 PM | Liver Tumor Board | Microsoft Teams

5:00 PM | Breast Tumor Board | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 932 1012 3816; CME Code: 87253)

8:00 AM | Thoracic Tumor Board | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 993 7680 5192; Passcode: 4231; CME 86693)

12:00 PM | Melanoma Tumor Board | Podium A / Microsoft Teams (CME: 80988)

5:00 PM | GI Tumor Board | Podium A / Microsoft Teams

9:00 AM | Cancer Research Data Meeting | Maryam Abdussamad | W302 New Research Building or Zoom

9:30 AM | Head and Neck Tumor Board | Microsoft Teams

12:30 PM | GI Research Meeting | WebEx (dial 844-302-0362, Meeting Number (access code): 712527865, HOST PIN: 5514)

5:00 PM | Lymphoma Tumor Board - every other week | Microsoft Teams

5:00 PM | Myeloma Tumor Board - every other week | Microsoft Teams

7:00 AM | CNS Tumor Board | Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 298 285 483 265, Passcode: rJWpmU)

12:00 PM | Oncology Grand Rounds | None - Ruesch Symposium | New Research Building Auditorium / Zoom

12:00 PM | Dr. Alcedo - Coagulation (Factor Deficiency, Inhibitor) | Podium A | Teams Conference Link (Text In Code: 81202 or 81203 / Text In Telephone: 202-796-7323)

1:00 PM | Dr. Smith - Coagulation Testing | Podium A | Teams Conference Link (Text In Code: 81202 or 81203 / Text In Telephone: 202-796-7323)

1:00 PM | Pancreas Tumor Board | Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 299 996 740 910, Passcode: z7j7Rc)

2:00 PM | Dr. Alcedo/Dr. Smith - ABIM Questions | Podium A | Teams Conference Link (Text In Code: 81202 or 81203 / Text In Telephone: 202-796-7323)