January 2017
 
Table of Contents
 


Funding Opportunities


Cancer Immune Monitoring and Analysis Centers (U24)

 

Tobacco Use and HIV in Low and Middle Income Countries (R01) 

 

Exploratory/Developmental Grants Program for Basic Cancer Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R21)

 

 

 

View a full list of current funding opportunities. 




Open
Recruitments
Highlighted positions related to cancer for which VCU is currently hiring.

 

Sr Physician Scientist - Director Cancer Immunotherapy Program (F16770)

 

Director, Center for the Study of Biological Complexity (F41000)





Shared Resource Spotlight
Lipidomics/
 Metabolomics Core

The VCU Lipidomics/ Metabolomics Shared Resource (VLMC) provides cost effective and highly quantitative lipid and small metabolite analyses for Massey members. Additionally, the facility staff offers consultative services for experimental design and data interpretation, education to certify end-users in the use of the equipment, operator-assisted analysis and instrument maintenance. Located on the 2nd floor of Sanger Hall in rooms 2-012 and 2-006, the VLMC is built around four tandem triple quadrupole/linear ion trap mass spectrometers, two high-end AB SCIEX 4000 QTRAPs, an AB SCIEX 5500 QTRAP and an AB SCIEX 6500 QTRAP.

 

For more information, contact Charles Chalfant, Ph.D., VLMC scientific and executive director; Dayanjan Shanaka Wijesinghe, Ph.D., VLMC technical director; Jeremy Allegood, Ph.D., VLMC operational director, or visit the Massey website.


Leaders' Update Update 
 
A message from Devanand Sarkar, associate director for education and training

I am honored to serve as Massey's first associate director for education and training.

This message continues with more about:
-The new role of associate director for education and training at Massey
-Massey's current career development efforts and plans for advancing this work
-Opportunities for researchers to participate in mentoring, teaching and training activities

Research HighlightsHighlights
Clinical trial tests novel combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer treatment
 
Andrew Poklepovic, M.D.
Developmental Therapeutics member
A phase 1 clinical trial developed at Massey and led by Andrew Poklepovic is testing a combination of targeted therapy with standard chemotherapy and radiation given prior to surgery in patients with non-metastatic pancreatic cancer. The primary objective of this trial is to determine the appropriate dosage of the drugs in combination with the radiation therapy schedule. The study will also evaluate the percentage of patients who are able to undergo surgery following neoadjuvant therapy, and it will examine cellular biomarkers in tumor samples from before and after treatment. In addition, the trial will analyze progression-free survival and overall survival of participants.

 

Center News Center1
New patient-centered program raises the bar for pancreatic cancer care

Massey recently opened its Pancreas and Biliary Neoplasm Program. Operating a clinic located at VCU Health Stony Point, the program is the first of its kind in the Richmond area, and it aims to reduce treatment delays and improve treatment outcomes through a multi-disciplinary, patient-centered approach. The new program brings together Massey experts in a variety of disciplines who subspecialize in pancreatic cancer to review each patient's case and suggest the best treatment plan. Patients see all the necessary specialists in one day at one location and are guided through their care by a nurse navigator.

Member Showcase MemberShowcase

Sarkar named Massey's associate director for education and training


  Cancer Molecular Genetics member
Devanand Sarkar was appointed as Massey's associate director for education and training. In this role, he will oversee and coordinate the cancer center's professional education and career development activities. Sarkar is the Harrison Foundation Distinguished Professor in Cancer Research at Massey, a member of Massey's Cancer Molecular Genetics research program, an associate professor in the Department of Human and Molecular Genetics at the VCU School of Medicine and associate scientific director, Cancer Therapeutics, at the VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine. He also co-directs the Cancer and Molecular Medicine Ph.D. program of the VCU Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Sarkar's research is focused on examining the molecular mechanism of carcinogenesis in order to develop targeted anti-cancer therapies.


Researcher Recognition Recognition
Bos awarded grant to develop treatment for metastatic cancer

Cancer Cell Signaling and Cancer Molecular Genetics member
Paula Bos was awarded a 2016 Metastatic Cancer Research Grant from METAvivor Research and Support Inc. to expand her research on brain metastasis. Using genetic models of a tumor microenvironment, her research team is trying to understand the reprogramming that occurs upon removal of the Treg cell compartment, which leads to regression of tumors and disseminated disease. The ultimate goal is that her discoveries will have the potential to benefit patients at advanced stages of metastatic disease.


EventsUpcoming Events

Cancer Research Seminars
Wednesday, February 1st: Graham A. Colditz, Ph.D., M.D., M.P.H., of the Institute for Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis, will lead a talk titled 'When reducing cancer risk in our population, let's not exacerbate disparities' in the Molecular Medicine Research Building.

Monthly Research Meetings

Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k
Massey is the official charitable partner of the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k  presented by Kroger on Saturday, April 1st. The 10k is many things: a pep rally, a block party, a gateway to fitness, one more chance for a cure. Together, let's raise money for Massey's research mission, celebrate your health and share our community pride! Join Team Massey and enjoy block after block of great local music and spirit groups.

For a full listing of events, 

mediaMassey in the Media
 

NewsTop Cancer News
  
Annals of Internal Medicine
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