LOMBARDI THIS WEEK
Week of January 10, 2022
Director’s Blog
Louis M. Weiner
DC Goes Viral

So, here we are: 2022, still living in the time of coronavirus. Omicron is having its way, predictably, with the world, and with the United States in particular. Remarkably, DC has risen to the unenviable position of being the leading or second-leading SARS-CoV-2 hot spot in the U.S. since my last blog in mid-December. Viral chaos is everywhere. While most infected people are more inconvenienced than desperately ill, the impact of this pandemic wave on our society is profound. Effective vaccination clearly mitigates disease severity, though it certainly does not prevent breakthrough infections. Our university’s functions are constrained, the hospital is challenged by people admitted for COVID (the vast majority of severely ill people are unvaccinated) or admitted for something else, but with COVID as well. Because so many health care workers have tested positive, staffing shortages compound the challenges. Primary and secondary schools are beset by chaotic responses.
 
News & Announcements
Guidance for Maintaining Research Activities on Campus

Researchers were recently reminded of actions they can take to reduce potential disruptions to their work:

  • Consider restricting research with animal models to those projects that are ongoing or of the highest priority to minimize the potential loss of valuable research assets should animal care services be interrupted by the pandemic’s impact on staffing in the Department of Comparative Medicine.
  • Faculty, staff and students should wear a properly fitted, high-grade mask (e.g., N95, KN95, KF94) inside at all times. Georgetown will be providing free N95 masks at the entrances to most campus buildings. Questions on the use of N95s should be addressed to the Office of Environment Health and Safety at 202-687-4712.
  • Prior to January 31, staff members who are able to telework are encouraged to do so as much as possible.
  • Research activities requiring in-person work should be scheduled in a way that allows for reduced density; physical distancing should be maintained when possible.
  • Students, faculty and staff must get tested prior to their arrival on campus after the winter break, regardless of their vaccination status or whether they have traveled or remained in the local area. Read more about spring 2022 arrival testing.
COVID-19 Booster Shots Required by January 21, Booster Clinics to be Held This Week

Georgetown University requires students, faculty, staff and visitors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and, effective January 21, to have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, or to have an approved medical or religious exemption. Read more about Georgetown’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

Students, faculty and staff can get the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster shot at on-campus booster shot clinics in the Student Health Center (on the ground floor of Darnall Hall, next to Epicurean) on Thursday, January 13, and Friday, January 14, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Please register in advance. There is limited availability and appointments will be scheduled based on the time of form submission and eligibility.
Georgetown Lombardi Research Included in ‘Most Influential Articles’ Collection

The Annals of Internal Medicine selected an article co-authored by Jeanne S. Mandelblatt, MD, MPH, Georgetown Lombardi professor of oncology and medicine, to include in a collection of the most influential articles published in the journal during the past year. That article, “Identifying Equitable Screening Mammography Strategies for Black Women in the United States Using Simulation Modeling,” identified a screening schedule that could reduce breast cancer deaths for Black women while maintaining the same ratio of benefits to harms as occur when white women undergo biennial screening starting at age 50.
Help Shape GUMC Faculty Wellness by Participating in a Virtual Focus Group
All GUMC faculty members are invited to participate in a virtual focus group to share thoughts on faculty wellness. After the focus groups conclude, the Faculty Wellness Task Force will provide recommendations on enhancing faculty wellness to GUMC's executive vice president. There will be two focus groups on January 12 and January 24, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Complete this form to participate. Email questions to Karen Walters (kb1170@georgetown.edu).
American Cancer Society Extramural Discovery Science Grants Workshop

Wednesday, February 9
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Open to postdocs and professors from all disciplines

American Cancer Society (ACS) Extramural Grants Program staffers Susanna Greer, PhD, and Nicole Lopanik, PhD, host a webinar orientation to the funding mechanisms available for the April and October 2022 ACS application cycles, highlighting program features, such as eligibility requirements, and providing insights for preparing a successful application. Address questions to Amy Deavitt (amy.deavitt@cancer.org), or Suzi Ford (suzi.ford@cancer.org). Register via Zoom by February 3.
Call for Proposals: RADIANCE Grants
 
The Office of Faculty and Academic Affairs is pleased to announce a request for proposals focused on diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism through the newly launched RADIANCE Grants Program. RADIANCE Grants (Respect, Advocacy, Diversity, Inclusion, ANti-racism, Collaboration, Equity) aim to contribute to a culture of respect, inclusion and belonging through strategies that promote advocacy, diversity, anti-racism, collaboration and/or equity. View the Call for Proposals and the Application Portal. Deadline for proposal submission: January 31, 5:00 p.m. EST. Three information sessions about the grant program will be held via Zoom on January 12, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., January 20, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. and January 25, 9:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Big Data Training for Cancer Research
 
Big Data Training for Cancer Research, offered by Purdue University Center for Cancer Research and Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, is a 14-day National Cancer Institute-funded virtual workshop to help cancer researchers develop skills for managing, visualizing, analyzing and integrating various types of omics data in cancer studies. To be held May 13 - 27, the workshop is open to cancer researchers, including oncologists, faculty, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students, who can commit to the full 14 days. Individuals from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Note: The workshop may also be offered on-site at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., depending on the COVID-19 situation. Read more about the workshop. Application deadline is Tuesday, February 1. View the application.
Special Seminar

Monday, January 10
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

T32 postdoctoral candidate Jordan Walter, PhD, presents “Basic and Translational Studies in Substance Use Disorders.” Join the special seminar via Zoom.

Monday, January 10
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Learn how to upload your CV, add your personal website information, upload a syllabus, publications and more. Register for this class.
Joint Forum with Main Campus Executive Faculty, Faculty Senate and CNDLS

Monday, January 10
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. 

Medical center faculty are invited to participate in a joint forum with the Main Campus Executive Faculty, the Faculty Senate and CNDLS on teaching and learning plans for the beginning of spring semester, public health, and resources and support for faculty. Join the forum via Zoom.
 
Thursday, January 13
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
 
Chan Nguyen, PhD candidate in the Tumor Biology program, presents “Prmt1 Drives PDAC Resistances to Chemotherapy Through MAFs Transcription Factor Family.” Mentor: Chunling Yi, PhD. Join via Zoom.
CDI Seminar Virtual Presentation

Thursday, January 13
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
 
Gerhard Grüber, PhD, of the Division of Structural Biology and Biochemistry in the School of Biological Sciences at Nanyang Technological University presents “Novel targets and -molecules derived from mechanistic and structural understanding of the mycobacterial F-ATP synthases.” Join this presentation via Zoom.

Thursday, January 13
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Patricia Heberer Rice, PhD, senior historian and director of the Senior Historian’s Office, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, presents “How Healers Became Killers: German Physicians and the Nazi ‘Euthanasia’ Program.” Note: CME/CE credit may be offered for this seminar. Join the 1/13 Dean’s Seminar via Zoom.

Friday, January 14
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Stella Alimperti, PhD, principal investigator, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, American Dental Association Science and Research Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology, presents “Organ-on-a-Chip and 3D Printing: Emerging Paradigms in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine.” Note: CME/CE credit may be offered for this seminar. Join the 1/14 Dean’s Seminar via Zoom.

Tuesday, January 18
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Esther Braselmann, PhD, Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor in the Chemistry Department at Georgetown, presents “Investigating RNA Dynamics with Fluorescence Lifetime-Based Sensors in Live Mammalian Cells.” Sponsored by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology. Join this seminar via Zoom.
Publications
Funding and Award Opportunities

Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation Diversity in Clinical Trials Career Development Program

The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation Diversity in Clinical Trials Career Development Program (BMSF DCTCDP) is a two-year program designed to support the career development of early-stage investigator (as defined by NIH) physicians underrepresented in medicine, or physicians who have a demonstrated commitment to increasing diversity in clinical research, to become independent clinical trial investigators who are engaged in advancing health equity through their research and mentoring. Awardees receive $120K/year for two years; requires at least 40% of the scholar’s time. View more information. LOI deadline: Jan. 14. Application opens (by invitation only): Jan. 31.
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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 Jan. 21.
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Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award

The Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award supports the most promising early career physician-scientists willing to devote their efforts to the development and application of new diagnostic approaches and therapeutic strategies for cancer and cancer prevention through clinical investigation. Preference is given to those whose research adheres to the “Handshake Rule,” meaning that the physician will conduct research studies that directly involve patients. 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 Lombardi. Finalists will be invited to be interviewed by the selection committee. Only one application will be accepted from a mentor (including co-mentorships) or investigator per review session. View detailed award information, eligibility criteria, application guidelines and forms. Application deadline: Feb. 1.
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 | TBD | 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: 80737; phone: 202-796-7323)

12:15 PM | Dr. Gallagher – Chemotherapy Part 1 | 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. Latif - von Willebrand Disease | 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 | Cancer Research Data Meeting – “Prmt1 Drives PDAC Resistances to Chemotherapy Through MAFs Transcription Factor Family” | Speaker: Chan Nguyen | Zoom

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

12:15 PM | TBD – Board Review (we can go over resources to use for upcoming ITE) | 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)
Friday
7:00 AM | CNS Tumor Board | Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 378 807 316)

12:15 PM | Fellows Round Table | Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 987 3224 3543)

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.