Research published in Science Signaling identifies new ways that telomeres regulate the aggressiveness and survival of tumors, making them potentially vulnerable therapeutic targets for killing cancer. The discovery was made by a team of researchers led by William Schiemann, PhD at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, while studying how cancer cells switch telomere regulation and maintenance mechanisms during disease development and response to therapy.

Co-authors on the paper include Case Comprehensive Cancer Center members Masaru Miyagi, PhD, Jacob G. Scott, MD, PhD, and Derek J. Taylor, PhD; trainees Nathaniel J. Robinson, PhD and Jessica A. Scarborough.

From The Daily: The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) received a $250,000 gift from brothers Lorne and Eric Novick to fund a cutting-edge, collaborative research study. The Andrew Novick Study on Artificial Intelligence and Epigenomics for Cancer Disparities, which honors the Novicks’ late father, pairs the work of two renowned researchers in oncology: Anant Madabhushi, PhD and Peter Scacheri, PhD.

“Our center has done a lot of work in artificial intelligence (AI), and Dr. Scacheri is a national leader in the area of epigenetics,” says Madabhushi, the Donnell Institute Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University and director of the Center for Computational Imaging and Personalized Diagnostics. “This study will represent one of the first times that AI and imaging are being coupled with epigenetics and molecular profiling to identify patterns and features that are key to cancer risk stratification and outcomes.”

In addition, combining these very powerful technologies will help the researchers gain a deeper understanding of cancer disparities between different patient populations.

Thursday, July 22, we will host TED-style talks from prominent leaders from each of our partner institutions and hear an update from Cancer Center Director Stan Gerson, MD to kick off our Annual Scientific Retreat. All are welcome to attend these talks, though registration will be required to receive virtual access. Learn more about our speakers below!

KeyBank Professor and Professor and Chair, Department of Organizational Behavior, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University

Chief Research & Academic Officer, Cleveland Clinic

Vincent K. Smith Chair in Radiation Oncology, Seidman Cancer Center, University Hospitals

The countdown to VeloSano Bike to Cure weekend is on! To date, our team has raised $15,825 for the cause between just 18 riders! Supporters of Team Case CCC have several options to choose from in bringing sustainable funding to cancer research right here in Cleveland, whether that's by riding, fundraising virtually, making a donation, or volunteering for our cheer station!

In 2019, our riders were joined by dozens of volunteers both on-campus and down at the VeloSano starting line. Cheers from our volunteers were certainly missed during Virtual VeloSano in 2020. This year, Team Case Comprehensive Cancer Center will support a Cheer Station on Marginal Road from 11 am - 4 pm on Saturday, September 11. Our team will cheer on VeloSano Riders by ringing cowbells, holding signs and making noise to keep everyone motivated as they approach the last leg of their ride. We need as many people as possible, so please encourage your friends, families and kids to join in the fun!

Contact Tracy Rehl at tdr3@case.edu for more information on signing up for a shift to volunteer with us!

Did you miss the National Science Foundations free Virtual Grants Conference? You can now watch the session recordings and access presentation slides from the resource center! Topics for faculty, researchers and administrators included: new programs and initiatives, NSF Directorate sessions, future directions and strategies for national science policy, proposal preparation, NSF’s merit review process and conflict of interest policies.

The Center for Computational Imaging and Personalized Diagnostics (CCIPD) at Case Western Reserve University is hiring for positions including postdoctoral research associates, predoctoral research scientists, and undergraduate and graduate student researchers. A successful candidate would have or be pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field and have a record of accomplishments in medical image analysis, neuroimaging, computer vision, or image registration and feature extraction. Candidates should have an interest and expertise in computer science to apply to radiomics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning in the fields of medical imaging, radiology, digital pathology, oncology, cardiovascular disease, nephrology, neurology, and ophthalmology. Experience in programming is preferred with knowledge in MATLAB and Python, statistic, and data analysis being a plus. Applicants for postdoctoral positions must have a PhD and demonstrated excellent qualifications in research.

Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research invites the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center to nominate two applicants for their junior faculty grant program. The Case CCC may nominate one researcher who is conducting mainstream or conventional research and one who is conducting complementary or integrative research.

Investigators should submit Letter of Intent (one page, template available) and an NIH-style biosketch through this InfoReady application form by Friday, July 9, 2021.

Case Comprehensive Cancer Center leadership will review all applicants. Selected nominees will work with their department research administrators and the Case CCC to submit full applications to the sponsor before August 27, 2021.

The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) remains dedicated to finding a cure for lymphoma through an innovative research program and by supporting the next generation of lymphoma researchers and is currently accepting applications for their 2022 grants:

Early Career Grants

With the generous support from VeloSano Bike to Cure 2020, the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) is providing seed funding for innovative and impactful proposals that will generate key data for larger, nationally competitive multi-investigator/team grants (MPI R01, P01, U01, SPORE, etc.). The Case CCC has recently undertaken a reorientation of its scientific programs, and this award will provide funds for each of our six scientific programs. Program Leaders will select the award aligned to their program, and therefore will not serve as project PI. Projects must be focused on the establishment or support of a collaborative effort by a team of 2 or more independent investigators from the case Case CCC research program. The goal is to submit a federal team science grant application.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Equity and Inclusion Program seeks actionable recommendations to enhance diversity and inclusion in the cancer research workforce through the following two Requests for Information (RFIs).

Jennifer Cullen, PhD, MPH (jxc1650@case.edu) and Erika Trapl, PhD (erika.trapl@case.edu) are coordinating a response on behalf of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, and welcome your feedback and comments.

Request for Information (RFI): Seeking Stakeholder Input on Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion in the Cancer Research Workforce (NOT-CA-21-067) seeks input on any of the following topics by July 15, 2021.