Hu Elected IAMBE Fellow

Tony Hu, PhD, the Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Biotechnology Innovation and Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering, and Microbiology at Tulane University School of Medicine, has been elected as a Fellow of the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering (IAMBE), a significant milestone reflecting his outstanding contributions to biomedical engineering, particularly in pathogen diagnostics through nanotechnology.

Congratulations, Dr. Hu!

Fruit Fly Research Innovation Wins Prize

Congratulations to Caique Costa, PhD candidate in Dr. Wu-Min Deng's Lab, (pictured in the center above) for winning the $2,000 second-place prize in Tulane Innovation Institute's recent Open Season pitch competition. The event showcased innovative entrepreneurial ideas from students, faculty, staff, and alumni across the University, all competing to turn their business concepts into reality. Costa won for his research tool FlyFast!, which automates repetitive tasks in fruit fly labs.  

Don't Die From Embarrassment! Strip the Stigma & Get Screened Today!

That was the message when Lawrence Jenkins, MD, MBA, FACS, Director of Men's Health, sat down with Fox 8's Shelby Latino on NOLA Now to talk about breaking the stigma around men's health issues.

The interview helped promote Tulane Cancer Center's sponsorship of The Real Full Monty—a powerful and entertaining special featuring six male celebrities stripping down to spark crucial conversations about men's health that aired on Fox 8 Monday, December 9.

Pop Up Market

TODAY, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Hutchinson Lobby

The Med School Market -- a cashless event -- offers a selection of fruits, vegetables and specialty baked goods.

The Fall 2024 NSF Virtual Grants Conference is open for registration! The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is hosting the semi-annual event from December 9 – 12, 2024. This is an excellent opportunity to gain insights into NSF’s current issues, policies and procedures, and specific funding opportunities.

There is no cost to attend.

REGISTER

Dean's Virtual Town Hall with

Dean Lee Hamm &

Executive Dean Patrick Delafontaine

Wednesday, December 11 - 5:00 PM

REGISTER

IP Office Hours

During these open sessions, Samuel Jativa and John Scott will answer your questions on intellectual property and licensing matters related to research endeavors. Open to all Tulane faculty and researchers.

Tulane National

Primate Research Center

December 12 - 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

The EmpowerUS Gulf South Women's Health Symposium hosted by Tulane, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the University of Alabama System, and LSUHSC New Orleans will be held December 12-13 in Tidewater. This symposium aims to promote rigorous, gender-specific research to improve health outcomes for women across their lifespans. Registration is open to students, researchers, healthcare providers, and community members.

For more information or to register, click here.

Ladies Leukemia League Call for Applications

The Ladies Leukemia League (LLL) - an organization dedicated to raising funds for leukemia and lymphoma research in the Gulf South region - is presently seeking applications for their 2025-2026 grant program.   

GRANT AMOUNT - $35,000

APPLICATION DEADLINE – December 13, 2024

Instructions for preparing your research grant application and other submission documents are available on the Ladies Leukemia League website at Ladies Leukemia League, Inc. of the Gulf South Region - Research Grants

Please note, if your project has been previously funded by another organization or institution, it is not eligible to be funded by the Ladies Leukemia League.

Request for Applications - Predoctoral Clinical/Translational Research Program (T32 Program)

APPLICATION DEADLINE - DECEMBER 16, 2024 - 5:00 PM CST

This one- or two-year fellowship offers:



• NRSA stipend (currently $28,224) for full-time multidisciplinary mentored research training

• $1,500 travel support for ACTS national meeting

• $3,000 childcare reimbursement

• Up to $16,000 tuition support towards Master’s degree/certificate/coursework

• Training-related expenses available to support health insurance & research related costs

MORE INFORMATION

The mission of the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) is to address disparities and/or diseases disproportionally represented in the Deep South. Full-time doctoral students at CCTS partner institutions seeking an MD, PhD, DDS, DMD, DVM, and dual-degrees and who will have completed the first two years of their doctoral degree by July 2025 are invited to apply. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or have permanent residency status and must be able to demonstrate a commitment to full-time research training.

Addressing Breast Density & Risk in Primary Care

Tuesday, December 17

3:30 - 4:30 PM CST

The American Cancer Society is offering an ECHO program for adult primary care providers to address the unique needs of providing care to patients with dense breast tissue and other risk factors for breast cancer, such as family history and genetic markers.

REGISTER

LA CaTS 2025 Roadmap Scholars Program FAQS

INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN APPLYING

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, VIA ZOOM

Please see "Call for Applications" below.

ACS LION Clinical Trials Navigation Certificate Program

January 15, 2025

The American Cancer Society's Leadership in Oncology Navigation (ACS LIONTM) initiative will launch the Clinical Trials Navigation Certificate program, which is designed to empower navigators with specialized knowledge to support clinical trial recruitment, retention, and inclusive participation. By promoting trial access and understanding, navigators can directly contribute to advancing health care innovation and delivering high-quality, inclusive care.

REGISTER

SOM Faculty Recognition Awards:

Call for Nominations

DEADLINE: MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 11:59 PM

The Faculty Recognition Awards demonstrate the School’s sincere appreciation of the faculty and their contributions to advancing the mission of the School of Medicine.

Award Categories:

• Research
• Clinical Care
• Early/Emerging Career
• Professionalism
• Women in Medicine
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Humanitarianism & Community Outreach
• Mentorship
• Allyship

To nominate a faculty member or self-nominate, please complete the NOMINATION FORM and send to SOMAwards@tulane.edu.

Startup Sprint Registration is LIVE!

OPEN TO EVERYONE

Friday, January 31 -

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Tulane Lavin-Bernick Center

Imagine launching your own business in just one weekend! The Tulane Innovation Institute invites the community to its Inaugural Startup Sprint. This three-day event equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools and guidance to transform a business idea into reality. Participants will enjoy networking and a collaborative environment where they can brainstorm, prototype and refine their ideas as a team. At the conclusion of the event, a cash prize will be awarded to the top pitch.

MORE INFORMATION

Call for Independent Medical Education Grant Applications

Oncology – Urothelial Carcinoma (UC) 

APPLICATION DEADLINE - DECEMBER 24, 2024

The purpose of this CGA is to encourage Organizations with ex - US experience to submit grant applications for independent either accredited or non-accredited activities designed to enhance understanding of the management of urothelial carcinoma (UC). 

MORE INFORMATION

LA CaTS 2025 Roadmap Scholars Program Call for Applications

APPLICATION DEADLINE - FEBRUARY 3, 2025 - 5:00 PM

INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 VIA ZOOM

SUPPORT:

• 75% of the Scholar's salary and fringe up to an annual maximum designated amount.
• travel to present at the Translational Science (ACTS) meeting and at another scientific research conference of the Scholar’s specialty.
• One-time allocation of $10,000 to the Scholar’s mentor to support the Roadmap Scholar’s research and career development.
• Cost of tuition for courses in the Master of Science in Clinical Research curriculum.
• Provided for 2 years, by the end of which it is anticipated that the scholar will have competed successfully for an NIH Career Transition (K) award

Eligibility: Three Roadmap Scholars will be chosen each year. Applicants should hold an MD, DO, PhD, DDS, or PharmD. Please refer to any NIH K award guidelines for eligibility criteria. Applicants may be current members of the faculty or candidates for appointment to the faculty (prior to July 1, 2025) at any LA CaTS Institution.

Application packets should be sent via email to: CareerDevel@LACaTS.org

MORE INFORMATION

CCTS Partner Network: Postdoctoral Dissemination and Implementation Research Program (T Award)

APPLICATION MATERIALS ACCEPTED ON A ROLLING BASIS WITH A PRIORITY DEADLINE OF MARCH 15, 2024 

This two-year fellowship offers:



• NRSA annual stipend based on years from terminal degree (currently ranging from $56,404 – $68,604) for full-time multidisciplinary mentored research training
• $1,500 travel support for ACTS national meeting
• Tuition support towards degree/certificate/coursework
• Training-related expenses available to support health insurance, childcare & research related costs

MORE INFORMATION

This mentored research training program is currently accepting applications from post-doctoral students in health-related profession programs. Post-doctoral students at all CCTS partner institutions holding an MD, PhD, PharmD, DDS, DMD, DVM, and dual degrees are invited to apply. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or have permanent residency status and must be able to demonstrate a commitment to full-time research training.

Tulane Research Administration Service Units (RASUs) and the Office of Research Proposal Development (ORPD)

The Office of Research is pleased to provide two dedicated and interconnected teams that provide direct service to faculty researchers: the Research Administration Service Units (RASUs) and the Office of Research Proposal Development (ORPD).

RASU provides pre- and post-award support for all faculty researchers, while ORPD provides pre-award support for Federal research grant proposals of any size. To identify and contact your dedicated RASU or ORPD representative, please click here.

Call for Abstracts: 4th Annual CAGLA NeauxCancer Conference

Registration is now open for the 4th Annual CAGLA NeauxCancer Conference, taking place March 27-29, 2025, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans!

This free, multi-day, multi-track CME/CNE conference features over 85 speakers and brings together healthcare professionals across disciplines. Space is limited and registration will close once capacity is reached, so secure your spot today:

Register Here

Additionally, the NeauxCancer Abstract Competition is accepting submissions. CAGLA invites medical students, residents, fellows, physicians, scientists, pharmacists, nurses, advanced practice providers, and other healthcare professionals to submit abstracts related to cancer therapy or care.

Highlights of the Abstract Competition:

• 200 finalists will present posters on March 28 or 29 (100 posters per day).
• The top three trainee-authored abstracts will present podium presentations.
• Prizes:
• 1st Place: $2,500
• 2nd Place: $1,500
• 3rd Place: $1,000
• Plus, special categorical prizes

Abstract Submission Deadline: January 24, 2025

Submit Your Abstract Here: Submission Link

For questions about the abstract competition, email CAGLAabstracts@gmail.com.

Income disparities have a significant impact on thyroid cancer recurrence and survival. Hussein MH, McGee JA, Alexandria L, Tsang MM, Fawzy MS, Toraih EA, Kandil E. J Cancer Policy. 2024 Dec;42:100511. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpo.2024.100511. Epub 2024 Oct 21. PMID: 39442650

Bortezomib in cancer therapy: Mechanisms, side effects, and future proteasome inhibitors. Sogbein O, Paul P, Umar M, Chaari A, Batuman V, Upadhyay R. Life Sci. 2024 Dec 1;358:123125. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.123125. Epub 2024 Oct 15. PMID: 39413903 Review.

Sex-dimorphic tumor growth is regulated by tumor microenvironmental and systemic signals. Wang X, Bao H, Huang YC, Barua A, Lai CM, Sun J, Zhou Y, Cong F, Gong S, Chang CH, Deng WM. Sci Adv. 2024 Dec 6;10(49):eads4229. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ads4229. Epub 2024 Dec 6.

PMID: 39642218

The Prevalence and Prognostic Implications of BRAF K601E Mutations in Thyroid Neoplasms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Webster A, Elshazli RM, Pinion D, Clark RDE, Kelly G, Issa PP, Hussein MH, Fawzy MS, Toraih EA, Kandil E. Head Neck. 2024 Dec;46(12):3133-3145. doi: 10.1002/hed.27950. Epub 2024 Oct 14. PMID: 39400963 Review.

Can oral cancer screening reduce late-stage diagnosis, treatment delay and mortality? A population-based study in Taiwan. Tsai E, Walker B, Wu SC.

BMJ Open. 2024 Dec 2;14(12):e086588. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-086588. PMID: 39622576

Mechanical Disruption by Focused Ultrasound Re-sensitizes ER+ Breast Cancer Cells to Hormone Therapy. Murad HY, Sabol RA, Nyiramana J, Twizeyimana A, Bortz EP, Matossian MD, Hong S, Kelly CA, Burow ME, Bunnell BA, Khismatullin DB. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2024 Dec;50(12):1885-1892. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2024.08.015. Epub 2024 Sep 14.

PMID: 39277462

METTL3-mediated m6A modification regulates the polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) components BMI1 and RNF2 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Wu T, Chen W, Zhang J, Ma W, Liu N. Mol Cancer Res. 2024 Dec 3. doi: 10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-24-0362. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39625677

Please visit Tulane Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn and follow us for all the latest news in cancer research, education and patient care.

You can access our profile pages by clicking on the icons below.

Tulane Cancer Center now has an institutional subscription to The Cancer Letter, an independent weekly newsletter that is the leading source of information on:

• National Cancer Institute
• cancer research funding
• cancer legislation and policy
• the pharmaceutical industry

Our institutional subscription allows anyone with a Tulane IP address to be automatically logged in when visiting www.cancerletter.com. For more information, please click here.

Acknowledging Tulane Cancer Center Support in Publications

We suggest using the following wording when acknowledging Tulane Cancer Center support: "This work was supported by the Tulane Cancer Center, part of Tulane School of Medicine, and a consortium partner of the Louisiana Cancer Research Center."

One of the responsibilities of membership in the Tulane Cancer Center is acknowledgement of Cancer Center membership and/or use of shared resources, salary support or other Tulane Cancer Center funding in presentations and publications

Tulane Cancer Center Branded Assets

Please use the following for your external presentations, external-facing meetings and emails:

1. A Tulane Cancer Center-branded PowerPoint Slide Master
2. A Tulane Cancer Center-branded Scientific Poster Template (sized at 4 feet x 3 feet)
3. Tulane Cancer Center-branded Zoom Backgrounds
4. Tulane Cancer Center’s updated logo
5. Tulane Cancer Center-branded Email Signature Blocks

All Tulane Cancer Center Members should have received these files via a recent listserv email (Subject: Tulane Cancer Center Branded Assets). If you did not receive the email but would like to begin using these templates, please contact Melanie Cross at mcross@tulane.edu. 

Thank you for your assistance in helping us to expand our visibility while showcasing the depth and breadth of our outstanding basic, translational and population science research and clinical care.  

Next Generation Sequence Analysis Core

The Tulane Cancer Center NGS Analysis Core team assists investigators with furthering their research through comprehensive processing and analysis of data obtained from widely used high-throughput sequencing applications.

More Information 

Cell Analysis Core

The Cell Analysis Core Facility is designed to collaborate with investigators and contribute to all aspects of the research process, including consultation in experimental design, data analysis and storage, troubleshooting, interpretation of results, and the preparation and production of presentation graphics.

More Information

Tulane Cancer Center & LCRC Membership

Any Tulane University faculty member whose research relates to or could potentially relate to cancer – directly or indirectly – should become a member of the Tulane Cancer Center (TCC). As a member, you have access to TCC's funding opportunities, research collaboration events, and shared resources. Please click here for our membership guidelines and our online application form.

Cancer-focused faculty are also encouraged to become members of the Louisiana Cancer Research Center, a partnership between the State's foremost cancer research institutions - Tulane University School of Medicine, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, Xavier University of Louisiana and Ochsner Health. Membership in the LCRC provides access to additional funding opportunities exclusively offered to LCRC members. Please click here for the LCRC's membership guidelines and online application form.

Trainee Membership in the Tulane Cancer Center

Tulane graduate students, medical students, postdocs, medical school-affiliated residents or fellows, and some undergraduates who are engaged in cancer-focused research can now apply to become Trainee Members of the Tulane Cancer Center.

Trainee Member applicants must be sponsored by a current Tulane Cancer Center Member and, once their membership is approved, will benefit through association with Tulane Cancer Center Research Programs and Disease-Oriented Teams, as well as access to shared resources for cancer-focused projects and invitations to scientific retreats, seminars and special events.

Please share this opportunity with your lab teams and other trainees/mentees.

To access the Trainee Membership Sponsor Nomination Form as well as the online membership application, please click here.

Subscribe to Nexus

If you know someone who is interested in subscribing to Nexus, a weekly round-up of news and information for Tulane cancer researchers, please have them contact Melanie Cross at mcross@tulane.edu.

Please share your feedback. Is this newsletter helpful? What other information should we include? And send us your news and announcements regarding seminars, workshops, funding opportunities, new grants, recent publications or events by emailing Melanie Cross at mcross@tulane.edu.