LOMBARDI THIS WEEK

Week of December 2, 2024

Director’s Blog

Turkey Coma


I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. My regular blog will return next week.


Make the world a better place this week.


Lou

Lombardi Lectures & Meetings

Oncology Grand Rounds & Other Lectures

Join Grand Rounds in the New Research Building Auditorium (Zoom option).

THIS WEEK: Targeting Molecular Residual Disease (MRD) in Breast Cancer: Strategies and Challenges by Angela DeMichele, MD, MSCE, FASCO, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania (Add to Google Calendar)

NEXT WEEK: Personalized Cellular Immunotherapy for Metastatic Cancer by Udai Kammula, MD, FACS, Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (Add to Google Calendar)

Cancer Research Data Meetings

Join these meetings in W302 (Zoom option).

THIS WEEK: ROME, a Novel Membrane Protein in Vertebrates, is a Key Modulator of Embryonal Development and Cancer Metastasis,” presented by Anna Molotkova (Add to Google Calendar)

NEXT WEEK: Presentation by Douglas Kung (Add to Google Calendar)

News & Announcements

Celebrating Its 15th Anniversary, Ruesch Center Honors Founder

Jeanne Ruesch holds her Luminary Award and stands with John Marshall

Since its establishment in September 2009, the Otto J. Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers at Georgetown Lombardi has been dedicated to advancing transformative research to save lives. At the Luminary Awards in GI Cancer, the kickoff event for the center’s annual symposium, attendees honored the countless contributions of Jeanne Ruesch, chair of the Ruesch Family Foundation and founder of the Ruesch Center. Read more about this event.

Announcing the 4th Annual Edward M. Kovach Cura Personalis Endowed Lecture

Healy Hall in the summer against a blue sky with blooming cherry trees to one side

The annual Edward M. Kovach Cura Personalis Endowed Lecture, which celebrates the principle of cura personalis, or “care for the whole person,” will take place on Thursday, January 9, 2025, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., in Riggs Library, Healy Hall.

 

This year’s event is a conversation focusing on “How to Make a Difference in the Complicated Lives of Cancer Survivors,” featuring:

  • Karen Knudsen, PhD, MBA, executive strategic advisor and immediate past CEO of the American Cancer Society
  • Nicole Faison, cancer survivor
  • Nina Kadan-Lottick, MD, MSPH, director, Georgetown Lombardi’s Survivorship Research Initiative
  • Louis M. Weiner, MD, Georgetown Lombardi director

 

In addition, the Wooden Spoon Award will be presented to Patrick Jackson, MD, chief of the Division of General Surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, director of the Surgical Residency Program, and professor of surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine. RSVP to attend.

Georgetown Lombardi DEI Updates

Curating DEI News and Resources for the Georgetown Lombardi Community

Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion logo

Georgetown Lombardi’s DEI Office curates opportunities and information of interest to our constituents. Be sure to check our Announcements page for updates.

Meetings & Events This Week

Tuesday, December 3

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

CDI Seminar: Make Our Livers Great Again — Insights in Liver Disease and Liver Cancer Mechanisms and Treatment


Presented by Robert F. Schwabe, MD, professor of medicine, Departments of Medicine and the Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, director, Columbia University Digestive and Liver Disease Center. Join this seminar via Zoom. (Add to Google Calendar)

3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Mini-Symposium: Successful Grant Submission 101


Barry Hudson, PhD, associate professor of oncology and Georgetown Lombardi member, presents this virtual mini-symposium 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.

5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

GWIM Wine and Cheese Social Event


Georgetown Women in Medicine (GWIM), an organization dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment for medical women faculty at Georgetown, hosts a wine and cheese social meeting. Join members for an evening of socializing, networking and discussing the future of GWIM, with remarks from Dr. Norman Beauchamp Jr. and Dr. Lisa Boyle. Join this event in the Med-Dent North Lobby. Contact gwim@georgetown.edu with questions.

Wednesday, December 4

11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

PhD Thesis Defense


Qiaohui Zhou, MS, PhD candidate in Biostatistics, presents “Estimand Framework in Clinical Research.” Mentors: Ming Tan, PhD, and Ao Yuan, PhD. Join this event in New Research Building W402. (Add to Google Calendar)

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

CDI-Georgetown Postdoctoral Seminar


Ashley Varkey, DO, Dr. Johannes Zakrzewski Lab, presents “Immunotherapy of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Enabled By Targeting of Pan-Cancer Molecular Patterns with a Novel Trispecific T Cell Engager”; and Chen-Yu Tsai, PhD, Dr. Martin Gengenbacher Lab, presents “Splenic Marginal Zone B Cells Restrict Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection by Shaping the Cytokine Pattern and Cell-Mediated Immunity.” Host: Erika Shor, PhD. Join this seminar via Zoom. (Add to Google Calendar)

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Distinguished Scientist Seminar Series: Advancing Biomedical Research through Bioinformatics: Bridging World-Class Molecular Resources and Clinical Data for AI-Driven Insights


Presented by Raja Mazumder, PhD, professor of biochemistry and molecular medicine, co-director, McCormick Genomic and Proteomic Center, co-director, Genomics & Bioinformatics PhD and Bioinformatics MS Program, GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Join this seminar in the New Research Building Auditorium and via Zoom. (Add to Google Calendar)

Thursday, December 5

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Cancer Research Data Meeting


“ROME, a Novel Membrane Protein in Vertebrates, is a Key Modulator of Embryonal Development and Cancer Metastasis,” presented by Anna Molotkova, MD/PhD student in the Üren Lab. Join this meeting in-person in W302 New Research Building with Zoom option. (Add to Google Calendar)

Bill Rebeck

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Brain Tumor Working Group Meeting


Agenda includes the presentation “Approaches to Identifying the Effects of Cancer and Chemotherapy on the Brain” by Bill Rebeck, PhD, professor of neuroscience, Georgetown. Join in-person, New Research Building E501 Conference Room, with Zoom option. (Add to Google Calendar)

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Distinguished Scientist Seminar Series: Mitochondria on the Move: Mitochondria Transfer in Metabolic Diseases


Presented by Jonathan Brestoff, MD, PhD, assistant professor, Pathology & Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis. Join this seminar in the New Research Building Auditorium and via Zoom. (Add to Google Calendar)

Friday, December 6

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Oncology Grand Rounds Seminar Series: Targeting Molecular Residual Disease (MRD) in Breast Cancer: Strategies and Challenges


Presented by Angela DeMichele, MD, MSCE, FASCO, Mariann T. and Robert J. MacDonald Chair in Breast Cancer Research, professor of medicine and co-leader of the Breast Cancer Program, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania. Join in-person, New Research Building Auditorium, with Zoom option. (Add to Google Calendar)

Dr. Nina Kadan-Lottick

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Clinical and Translational Research Grand Rounds: Optimizing Long-Term Health in Childhood Cancer Survivors: From Observation to Intervention


Presented by Nina S. Kadan-Lottick, MD, MSPH, professor of oncology and pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine; director, Survivorship Research Initiative, Georgetown Lombardi. Sponsored by GHUCCTS and its partner institutions. Join this lecture via Zoom. (Add to Google Calendar)

Meetings & Events Next Week

Tuesday, December 10

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

CDI Seminar: γδ IEL Regulation of the Intestinal Barrier


Presented by Karen L. Edelblum, PhD, associate professor, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Ichan Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Join this seminar via Zoom. (Add to Google Calendar)

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.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 Zoom workshop.

Thursday, December 12

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Cancer Research Data Meeting


Presentation by Douglas Kung, 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.

Radiation Sciences Working Group Seminar


Featuring 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. (Add to Google Calendar)

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Information Session: Faculty Performance and Compensation Plan


Learn about the new Faculty Performance and Compensation Plan and how to opt in to the Incentive Track. Hosted by the Office of Faculty and Academic Affairs (OFAA). Register to join via Zoom.

Friday, December 13

10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Survivorship Research Initiative Seminar: Cognitive Outcomes in Cancer Survivors: Predictors and Potential Interventions


Presented by Noha Sharafeldin, MBBCh, MSc, PhD, assistant professor of medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, member, Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, and associate scientist, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. Presentation to be followed by a Meet the Speaker Session at 11:00 a.m. Join via Zoom. (Add to Google Calendar)

Udai Kammula

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Oncology Grand Rounds Seminar Series: Personalized Cellular Immunotherapy for Metastatic Cancer


Presented by Udai Kammula, MD, FACS, director of the Solid Tumor Cellular Immunotherapy Program, associate professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology, Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Join in-person, New Research Building Auditorium, with Zoom option. (Add to Google Calendar)

Paul Kenny

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Standaert Lecture: Cellular Mechanisms of Nicotine Craving


Presented by Paul J. Kenny, PhD, Ward-Coleman Professor and Chair, Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Sponsored by the Department of Pharmacology & Physiology. Join this lecture in Med-Dent NE401 or via Zoom. (Add to Google Calendar)

Publications

Community Engagement in Behavioral Medicine: A Scoping Review


Mutation Burden and Anti-PD-1 Outcomes are Not Universally Associated With Immune Cell Infiltration or Lymphoid Activation



Patient Navigation in Mothers at Risk for and Surviving with Breast/Ovarian Cancer: The Role of Children's Ages in Program Utilization and Health Outcomes

In the News

OncLive Explore the Latest Treatment Updates in EGFR-Mutated NSCLC: With Chandler Park, MD; and Stephen V. Liu, MD


The Hoya UPenn Professor Sheds Light on Diagnostic Tools for Rare Blood Cancer

Funding and Award Opportunities

NEW 2025 Basser External Research Grant Program


The Basser Center for BRCA at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center announces the Basser External Research Grant Program, which focuses on projects that have the potential to advance the care of individuals living with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Research grant applications in basic science, prevention, disease interception, and early detection and relevant to the study of BRCA1 or BRCA2 will be considered. Grants that demonstrate a potential for translation into clinical practice will be prioritized for funding. One-year projects, up to $100,000, will be awarded. View full application information and portal. Application deadline is 11:00 p.m. ET, Monday, February 10, 2025

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.

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).

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 20, 2024).

Tumor Board & Research Meeting Schedule

Meetings in italics should be attended by all fellows.
Monday

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)

Tuesday

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)

Wednesday

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

Thursday

9:00 AM | Cancer Research Data Meeting | Anna Molotkova: “ROME, a Novel Membrane Protein in Vertebrates, is a Key Modulator of Embryonal Development and Cancer Metastasis” | 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

Friday

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


12:00 PM | Oncology Grand Rounds | Angela DeMichele, MD: “Targeting Molecular Residual Disease (MRD) in Breast Cancer: Strategies and Challenges” | New Research Building Auditorium / Zoom


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


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

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