LOMBARDI THIS WEEK
Week of November 15, 2021
Director’s Blog
Dr. Louis Weiner
Normal(ish)

I don’t know that the data fully warrant it, but life is beginning to feel “normal(ish).” Interestingly, new cases have plateaued and perhaps have increased slightly across the U.S. and in DC, though deaths continue to drop, presumably because breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated people rarely lead to hospitalization and death. I had a full work week, mostly in the office, with Cheryl and/or Alexus there as well. There is some increasing presence of people in the New Research Building, though it feels like we have a long way to go to get to our pre-pandemic hubbub. Unlike some sectors of our economy, I simply don’t see how we can develop alternate work patterns when it comes to doing wet lab experimental research. By the way, if you are working on campus, you might want to schedule your required post-Thanksgiving COVID-19 test now. Here’s the announcement from this past week in case you missed it. There’s also information about two booster clinics being held on campus Dec. 3 and 4.
 

News & Announcements
BellRinger 2022 Date Announced

Mark your calendars for an amazing weekend of camaraderie and cycling: BellRinger will take place on October 22, 2022. Planning for the ride is already underway, starting with the announcement that fundraising commitments are reduced by $500 for all existing and new 25-, 50- and 100-mile riders. This change will enable BellRinger to grow faster and build a community with the big goal of ending cancer. All changes to existing rider profiles will be made automatically for those who’ve already committed to participate. Those with questions may reach out to Ride@BellRinger.org.
Last Chance to Register for the Ruesch Symposium

This year’s Ruesch Symposium is Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19 and 20. Register today to join this event. Topics to be addressed include expanding I/O therapies in GI cancer, targeted therapies in GI cancer, and health disparities in GI cancer. Join us Friday for exciting content and networking opportunities at the Washington Marriott Georgetown. Registration is free for all MedStar and Georgetown employees/trainees with the promo code MedStarEmp2021. Learn more and register.
Post-Thanksgiving Testing Required

Georgetown community members who will be on campus after the Thanksgiving break will need to get tested upon their return to campus, regardless of whether they have traveled or remained in the local area. Nonresidential students, faculty and staff need to test within five days of their return to campus (within three days for residential students). Schedule your free test on campus via the One Medical website or mobile app.
Georgetown Lombardi and GU/MedStar Health Co-branded Presentation Templates Available
 
A reminder that templates for research posters and PowerPoint slides are available to use when presenting Georgetown Lombardi-sponsored research at professional meetings. When using these templates, please do not alter or add to the Georgetown Lombardi logo in the top left corner or change the overall border/colors. Download those templates here. Co-branded templates with the joint brand marks for Georgetown and MedStar Health are available for research posters, PowerPoint presentations, and letterhead. View the appropriate use of the joint brand marks and download the co-branded templates.
AACR Now Accepting Applications for 2022 Early-Career Hill Day

The AACR is now accepting applications for its 2022 Virtual Early-career Hill Day. This annual event provides an opportunity for AACR Associate Members to learn about advocacy and policy and to take their message to members of Congress in support of federal funding for cancer research at the NIH and NCI. The 2022 Hill Day will be held virtually from March 2-3, 2022. Participants will receive training on advocacy and the federal appropriations process prior to the event. They also will have an opportunity to hear from key policymakers/staff. Applications for the Early-career Hill Day will be accepted through Nov. 30. View more information and apply. Those interested in attending who are not yet AACR Associate Members can view membership information here. Questions may be directed to membership@aacr.org.

Tuesday, November 16
3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Manpreet Bariana, PhD
Manpreet Bariana, PhD, and Jickky Sarathy, PhD, present their work in this series highlighting research by the postdoctoral and clinical fellows working within the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center research consortium. Presented by Georgetown Lombardi and Hackensack Meridian Health Center for Discovery and Innovation. Join the Postdoctoral Seminar via Zoom.
Jickky Sarathy, PhD

Wednesday, November 17
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Learn how to upload your CV, add your personal website information, upload a syllabus, publications and more. Register for this class.
Mark O'Connor

Wednesday, November 17
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Mark O’Connor, PhD, oncology R&D and head of DNA Damage Response Biology for AstraZeneca, presents “Targeting the DNA Damage Response to Generate New Treatments for Cancer Patients. Join the November 17 seminar via Zoom.
 
Thursday, November 18
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
 
Subreen Khatib, PhD candidate in Tumor Biology, defends his thesis, “Single-cell Biology Uncovers Cell Death as a Potential Driver of Tumor Heterogeneity and Fitness.” Mentor: Xin Wei Wang, PhD. Join via Zoom (Meeting ID: 440 081 108).
Barbara Sosnoski

Thursday, November 18
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Barbara Sosnowski, PhD, vice president and global head emerging science and innovation lead for Pfizer, presents “Partnering with Pfizer’s CTI: Funding Opportunities and Best Practices for Application Submission.” Sponsored by the Office of Technology Commercialization. Register for the I2I Seminar.
Rebecca Katz

Thursday, November 18
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Rebecca Katz, PhD, MPH, Georgetown professor and director of the Center for Global Health Science and Security, presents “Building the Evidence Base for Global Health Security Policy.” CME/CE credit will be offered for this seminar. Join the November 18 seminar via Zoom.

Friday, November 19
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Paul Kolm, PhD, associate director in the Department of Biostatistics and Biomedical Informatics at MedStar Health Research Institute, presents “Analytic Complexities of Observational Data: A Study of Modeling Atrial Fibrillation.” Sponsored by GHUCCTS. Register for this seminar.
In the News
Publications
Funding and Award Opportunities

Mary Kay Ash Foundation 2022 Cancer Research Grants

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, 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. Please submit grant documentation to Sharon Levy (sgl5@georgetown.edu) by January 21, 2022.
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Cancer Immunotherapy Translational Research Program Grant

The Cancer Research Institute offers Clinic and Laboratory Integration Program (CLIP) grants to qualified scientists who are working to explore clinically relevant questions aimed at improving the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies. The grants support basic, preclinical, and translational research that provides information that can be directly applied to optimizing cancer immunotherapy in the clinic. Applicants must hold a faculty appointment as a tenure-track assistant professor (or higher rank) at the time of award activation. Funding: $200,000 over two years. LOI deadline: Dec. 1. Full application deadline: March 1, 2022. View application guidelines.
Upcoming Events
Meetings in italics should be attended by all fellows.
Monday
8:00 AM | Monday Morning Oncology Report | Podium A / Microsoft Teams

8:30 AM | Division Weekly Update Meeting | Podium A / Microsoft Teams

9:00 AM | Breast Research Meeting | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 528212194)

11:00 AM | GU/Melanoma Research Meeting | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 796253566)

12:15 PM | Dr. Tan – Fellows Research Talk | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 988 4150 0923)

4:00 PM | GU Tumor Board (on 1st/3rd Mondays of the month) | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 869742463)
Tuesday
9:00 AM | Hematology Path Conference - Inpatient Heme fellows + Outpatient Heme + BMT fellow | Podium A / Microsoft Teams (CME code: 87757)

12:15 PM | Dr. Latif (WHC) – DOACs and Reversal Agents | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 987 3224 3543)

4:00 PM | Liver Tumor Board | WebEx (dial 844-302-0362; Meeting number (access code): 711 507 430, password: Mse4mGSA2N5)

5:00 PM | Breast Tumor Board | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 93777073374; CME code: 80044)
Wednesday
8:00 AM | Thoracic Tumor Board Thoracic Fellow | Podium A / Zoom

9:00 AM | Thoracic Research Meeting Thoracic Fellow | Podium A / Microsoft Teams

12:00 PM | Melanoma Tumor Board | Podium A / Microsoft Teams

12:15 PM | Dr. Shenoy (WHC) – T Cell Lymphomas 2 | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 987 3224 3543)

5:00 PM | GI Tumor Board | Podium A / Microsoft Teams
Thursday
9:00 AM | PhD Thesis Defense - “Single-cell Biology Uncovers Cell Death as a Potential Driver of Tumor Heterogeneity and Fitness” | Speaker: Subreen Khatib | Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 440 081 108)

9:30 AM | Head and Neck Tumor Board - Thoracic Fellow attendance encouraged as clinic allows | Microsoft Teams

12:15 PM | Drs. Reetu Mukherji and Julia M. Cunningham – Journal Club | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 987 3224 3543)

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

1:30 PM | Dr. Serzan – Mock Job Talk | Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 987 3224 3543)
Friday
7:00 AM | CNS Tumor Board | Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 378 807 316)

12:00 PM | Ruesch Conference Keynote Speaker – Derek Griffith, PhD

1:00 PM | Pancreas Tumor Board | WebEx (dial 844-302-0362, Meeting Number (access code): 712527865, HOST PIN: 5514)
Connect with Georgetown Lombardi on Social Media

If you would like to share news or updates from your department, please get in touch with Sarah Riehl.