Election Week!

Greetings on a beautiful and brisk Saturday. I had a very productive week, highlighted by our Faculty Meeting on Monday and attendance at the Festschrift honoring Larry Gostin, a leading global health expert at Georgetown Law’s O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law and a dear friend. Read more.

Lombardi Lectures & Meetings

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

Join these meetings in W302 (Zoom option).

Months After Chemotherapy, MD/PhD Student Bikes 50 Miles for Cancer Research

A year and a half into medical school at Georgetown, Bryan Weselman (M’30, G’30), who is pursuing his MD/PhD in the Tumor Biology Program, was diagnosed with cancer. Now, he’s working in the lab of Cancer-Host Interactions Program member Alejandro Villagra, PhD, and on October 26 rode the 50-mile route for BellRinger in support of cancer research at Georgetown Lombardi. Read more about Bryan’s story.

Research Examines New Medicine to Treat Advanced HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer

Ami Chitalia, MD, affiliate member of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program and MedStar Health hematologist and medical oncologist, is the principal investigator for the DC arm of a phase III interventional, randomized, open-label trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of a new second-line treatment for patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced/metastatic breast cancer. Read more about this study.

Smith Recognized for Pharmacogenomics Leadership

Cancer Prevention and Control Program affiliate member D. Max Smith, PharmD, BCPS, also a clinical pharmacogenomics specialist at MedStar Health, was a recipient of the inaugural STRIPE Double Helix Awards, which honor individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to the field of pharmacogenomics. Smith was recognized in the “Excellence in Advancing Pharmacogenomics Through Collaboration” award category, which honors leaders who have driven significant advancements in pharmacogenomics by fostering collaboration across disciplines, organizations and sectors.

New Editing Appointment for Atkins

Michael B. Atkins, MD, has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of UpToDate Oncology, for a term that began in October of this year.

Information Sessions on GUMC’s New Faculty Performance and Compensation Plan

The Office of Faculty and Academic Affairs (OFAA) is offering information sessions about GUMC’s new faculty performance and compensation plan. Tenure-line faculty hired on or after July 1, 2024, are automatically on the Incentive Track and do not need to opt in. Tenure-line faculty hired before July 1, 2024, may choose to opt-in to the Incentive Track. To opt in, please complete this form by 11:59 p.m., December 23.

Join information sessions about the new plan via Zoom on:

• Thursday, November 14 at 9:00 a.m.
• Thursday, December 12 at 4:00 p.m.

RSVP to attend an information session. Contact ofaa@georgetown.edu with questions.

DUE TODAY: Request for Applications — American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant Pilot Project Grants

Up to three American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant (IRG) Pilot Project Grants will be funded to help launch promising new projects by early career faculty members. These are one-year, non-renewable $30,000 research grants that are funded through Georgetown Lombardi’s IRG, which is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Open to early career faculty (e.g. assistant professor or equivalent), who are eligible to apply for independent national competitive research grants (e.g. NIH R-level grants, ACS Research Scholar Grants, and similar), but who do not currently hold and have not previously held such a grant, with the exception of an R00, which is allowed. View application package with full eligibility criteria, application form, and mentoring requirements. Application deadline: Monday, November 4, at 11:59 p.m. For scientific or eligibility questions, contact Dr. Rebecca Riggins (PI of the ACS IRG), rbr7@georgetown.edu. For application download or upload questions, contact Denise Harley, flessatd@georgetown.edu, or Karen Howenstein, khowenst@georgetown.edu. 

NEW: Georgetown Lombardi Developmental Funds Request for Proposals Announced

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).

NCI Early K99/R00 Pre-applications Now Accepted

Pre-applications are now being accepted for the NCI Early K99/R00. Candidates must be within two years of their doctoral degree at grant submission and in a mentored postdoctoral position. Nominations will identify single applicants within the described four scientific areas and submit pre-application materials by November 15 for the February 15, 2025, deadline within GU-PASS as a New Limited Submission; select 2025 NCI Pathway to Independence for Early Stage Postdocs (K99/R00). Email Richard Cecil (rc398@georgetown.edu) with questions.

2024 Luminary Awards in GI Cancers



Join the Ruesch Center for this year’s Luminary Awards in GI Cancer on Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Westin Georgetown, Washington, D.C., from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. 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

Registration is now open for the 15th Annual Ruesch Center Symposium: Innovations in GI Cancer, held in person this 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.

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.

GHUCCTS Funding Opportunity for Early Stage Investigators

The Georgetown-Howard Universities Center for Clinical and Translational Science (GHUCCTS) KL2 mini-symposium program is expanding and invites early career faculty members of its hub institutions to propose mini-symposia in their area of scientific interest, with the goals of internal and external networking, building new collaborative and mentoring relationships, increasing local recognition of multidisciplinary translational research efforts, and highlighting translational science. Apply before Friday, November 22. Visit the DEI Funding Opportunities Announcements page for more information.

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Center for Metabolomic Studies Seminar Series: “Dissecting AADAT Functions to Enable Low-Toxicity Metabolic Therapies of TNBC”

Presented by Arun Sreekumar, PhD, Charles C. Bell Jr. Endowed Professor of Cell Biology; co-director, Center for Translational Metabolism and Health Disparities; co-leader, Tumor Biology Program, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine. Join this seminar via Zoom. (Add to Google Calendar)

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Bhussry Seminar Series: “Spatial Engineering of Salivary Epithelia through Biofabrication”



Presented by Daniel Harrington, PhD, associate professor, Department of Diagnostic & Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Sponsored by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology. Join this presentation via Zoom. (Add to Google Calendar)

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

GUFaculty360 Class - Updating Your Profile

Learn how to upload your CV, add your personal website information, upload a syllabus, publications and more. Register for this class held via Zoom.

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Faculty Appointment and Promotions Workshop

This virtual workshop is for adjunct faculty members. Hosted by the Office of Faculty and Academic Affairs (OFAA). RSVP. 

12:30 - 2:00 p.m.

Clinical Research Coordinator Seminar Series

Designed for clinical research professionals and others vested in the care of research participants, this series provides opportunities for professional development and updates on Georgetown policies, procedures and operations related to clinical research. Register for the Zoom seminar series. (Add to Google Calendar)

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Spatial Biology at Georgetown with Bruker Spatial Biology (formerly NanoString) in Cooperation with the Biotechnology Program

The Georgetown Bruker Spatial Biology support team highlights the GeoMx and CosMx platforms offered through the HTSR and GESR Shared Resources. Join this presentation in the Basic Science Building, GA2/4. (Add to Google Calendar)

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Cancer Research Data Meeting

“The Transcriptional Role of Phosphorylated p27 in Regulating Early-G1 Cell Cycle Progression,” presented by Amir Bagheri, PhD student in the Tumor Biology Program. Join this meeting in-person in W302 New Research Building with Zoom option. (Add to Google Calendar)

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Distinguished Scientist Seminar Series: “Regulation of Mitochondrial Structure and Function During Metabolic Cycles and Stress”

Presented by Gökhan S. Hotamışlıgil, MD, PhD, James S. Simmons Professor of Genetics & Metabolism, director, Sabri Ülker Center for Metabolic Research, Department of Molecular Metabolism, Harvard-MIT Broad Institute, Harvard Stem Cell Institute. Join this presentation in the New Research Building Auditorium or via Zoom. (Add to Google Calendar)

10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Bio3 Seminar Series: “Varying Coefficient Models for Survival Data Analysis”

Presented by Seong Jun Yang, PhD, associate professor, Department of Statistics, Jeonbuk National University, South Korea, and visiting scholar, Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics & Biomathematics, Georgetown. Join this presentation in Warwick Evans Conference Room, Building D. (Add to Google Calendar)

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Oncology Grand Rounds Lecture Series: “Integration of Germline Genetics Into Cancer Care”

Presented by Mark E. Robson, MD, chief, Breast Medicine Service; lead, Inherited Breast Cancer Genomics, Niehaus Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Join in-person, New Research Building Auditorium, with Zoom option. (Add to Google Calendar)

Meetings & Events Next Week

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Bhussry Seminar Series: “Engineered Multiscale DNA-Based Materials for Biomedical Applications”

Presented by Remi Veneziano, PhD, associate professor, Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, College of Engineering and Computing. Sponsored by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology. Join this seminar in Basic Science 341 or via Zoom. (Add to Google Calendar)

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Cancer Research Data Meeting

Presented by Alexander Lekan, MD/PhD student working in the Weiner Lab. Join this meeting in-person in W302 New Research Building with Zoom option. (Add to Google Calendar)

4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

GUMC Town Hall: “Creating the Path Forward — Together”

Join us for a GUMC Town Hall with Norman J. Beauchamp Jr., MD, MHS. In-person attendance requested, New Research Building Auditorium. Zoom option will be available. Reception to follow on the Research Building podium.

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Oncology Grand Rounds Lecture Series: “New Insights Into the Biology and Treatment of T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Lymphoma”

Presented by David Teachey, MD, professor of pediatrics and the Distinguished Endowed Chair in the Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. Join in-person, New Research Building Auditorium, with Zoom option. (Add to Google Calendar)

Publications

Clinical and Genomic Features of Classical and Basal Transcriptional Subtypes in Pancreatic Cancer

Duration of Anticoagulation for Venous Thromboembolism in Pediatric Patients: Kids-DOTT Trial Outcomes at Two Years

The Role of Peer Support and Patient Navigation for Empowerment in Breast Cancer Survivors: Implications for Community Cancer Control

Discussion of Emotions Among Newly Diagnosed Non-Hispanic White and Chinese American Patients With Breast Cancer and Their Oncologists



Transformation of the Tobacco Product Market in Japan, 2011-2023

In the News

OncLive ctDNA Generates Momentum in Adjuvant Stage II/III Colon Cancer Setting

The Georgetowner BellRinger 2024: Over $4 Million and Counting Raised to End Cancer

The Georgetowner Lombardi Women Celebrates Breast Cancer Patients, Researchers

The Hoya Fighting Cancer on All Fronts: John F. Potter, MD Award Recipients Present Innovative Research and Community Impacts

The Hoya SPOTLIGHT: Alcohol Found To Cause Cancer, Other Chronic Illnesses

New Jersey Business John Theurer Cancer Center First in US to Evaluate New AI Technology

NEW: 2024-2025 Mary Kay Ash Foundation® Innovative/Translational Cancer Research Grant

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation, a funding source for cancer research, is currently accepting applications for innovative grants for translational research for cancers affecting women, including but not limited to ovarian, endometrial, uterine, breast and/or cervical cancer. Principal Investigator must be appointed a full-time assistant professor or higher at the time of application submission and commit a minimum 5% effort. Grants will be awarded in the amount of $100,000 over a two-year period. View more information. Those interested in applying should contact Sharon Levy (sgl5@georgetown.edu) by Nov. 15 with an LOI of no more than two paragraphs.

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:

• November 4: Proposals for Established Investigator, Young Investigator, Pilot and Dermatology Career Development awards due
• January 6: Invited Special Opportunity Team Science Award full proposals due
• April 2025: Awardees notified of funding decisions

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.

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 October 30, 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 | Amir Bagheri: “The Transcriptional Role of Phosphorylated p27 in Regulating Early-G1 Cell Cycle Progression” | 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 | Mark E. Robson, MD: “Integration of Germline Genetics Into Cancer Care” | New Research Building Auditorium / Zoom

12:00 PM | Oncology Seminar Series | Podium A | Teams Conference Link (Text In Code: 81202 or 81203 / Text In Telephone: 202-796-7323)

1:00 PM | Dr. Shmuel Shoham: Infectious Disease Management in Cancer Patients | 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 | Reverse CCC Evaluations | Podium A | Teams Conference Link (Text In Code: 81202 or 81203 / Text In Telephone: 202-796-7323)