Theater Magic

Greetings on a rainy weekend. Harriet and I made a weekend excursion up to New York and had a marvelous time. We took train up on Friday and had a great meal at a Greek restaurant, Avra, in Rockefeller Center. Our hotel was located in Midtown, so we were able to walk there, and everywhere else we wanted to go, pretty easily.

Read more.

BellRinger 2023 Numbers Are In;

2024 Registration Is Now Open

Hearty thanks to all who participated in BellRinger in 2023! Through your efforts, we raised a total of $1,413,159 in support of cancer research at Georgetown Lombardi. It’s now time to turn our sights toward BellRinger 2024, which will take place October 25-26. Registration officially opened last Friday. (Read Dr. Weiner's Resonance blog post about it.) We hope to see everyone who rode last year again, plus some new faces to join in the fun. As a head start, you can enter registration code LOMBARDI2024 when you sign up, which will waive the $100 registration fee. Register now.

Staying Hands-on in Hope: For the Future of Pediatric Cancer Research (and Maybe a New Car)

For 44 consecutive hours (minus a few breaks) during this year’s Washington, D.C. Auto Show, the members of Team Georgetown Lombardi stayed in physical contact with a 2024 Hyundai IONIQ6 as part of the 2024 Hands On Hope contest, sponsored by the Washington Area Hyundai Dealers. They were motivated by a shot at being the one to drive it home and by the chance to raise awareness for pediatric cancer research. Read more about this year’s event.

Submit Abstracts for the 2024 MedStar Health-Georgetown University Research & Education Symposium

The 2024 symposium takes place Monday, April 29, at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. It will feature research posters for peer-reviewed projects from across the academic health system. All MedStar Health and Georgetown University physicians, nurses, researchers, staff, residents, and fellows are encouraged to submit. Abstract submissions will be accepted through February 5.



Please submit abstracts/case reports using the following links:

• Health Care & Research Team Members/Faculty Abstracts
• Residents/Fellows Abstracts
• Residents/Fellows Case Reports

Only selected abstracts will be presented as posters during the event as determined by the Scientific Review Committee; those whose abstracts are selected will be notified the week of March 25. Please contact research@medstar.net with questions. NOTE: If you submit an abstract or case report, it is expected that you will attend the Symposium on Monday, April 29. Please save the date.

Remembering Edith P. Mitchell, MD

The Georgetown Lombardi community was saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Edith P. Mitchell, MD, MACP, FCCP, FRCP, on January 22. Her career as a trailblazer included time as a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown Lombardi, where she was the first African American and second woman in that role. She was also the first female physician to achieve the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Air Force, a member of the President’s Cancer Panel and a distinguished GI cancer researcher. Most recently, Mitchell was director of the Center to Eliminate Cancer Disparities, clinical professor of medicine and medical oncology, and enterprise vice president for cancer disparities for Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health. Read a message from Jefferson Health.

Call for Proposals: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Cancer Research, Education & Training Opportunities and Funding

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Georgetown Lombardi, in collaboration with the Cancer Research, Education and Training (CRTEC) Office, is issuing a call for proposals for 2024: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Cancer Research, Education & Training Opportunities and Funding. Funding is available to faculty, staff or trainees doing work affiliated with Georgetown Lombardi, John Theurer Cancer Center, Hackensack Meridian Health or MedStar Health. View information about specific initiatives and a link to the application portal. Contact LombardiDEI@georgetown.edu with questions.

Diversity in Cancer Research Summer 2024 Undergraduate Internship Program Now Accepting Applications

This internship program is open to rising sophomores, juniors and seniors with an interest in STEM, cancer and/or biomedical research. Applicants from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research are strongly encouraged to apply. Application deadline: February 16, 2024. View more information and application portal. Questions, please email cancerresearchtraining@georgetown.edu.

Georgetown Lombardi Faculty Meeting

Monday, January 29

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.



This meeting will be hybrid format; lunch will be provided for in-person attendees. A portion of the meeting will address faculty evaluations. Join the meeting in person in Med-Dent NE201C or online via Zoom.

Department of Microbiology & Immunology Seminar Series: “Regulation of Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis During Infection”

Tuesday, January 30

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Presented by Damian Krysan, MD, PhD, professor, division director, pediatric infectious disease, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa. Join this seminar via Zoom.

Bhussry Seminar Series: “Single-Cell to Tissue-Scale Inflammatory Memory”

Tuesday, January 30

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Presented by José Ordovas-Montanes, PhD, research faculty, Division of Gastroenterology, co-director, Cell Discovery Network, Boston Children's Hospital; assistant professor of pediatrics, Harvard Medical School; Robertson Investigator, New York Stem Cell Foundation; principal faculty, Harvard Stem Cell Institute; associate member, Broad Institute. Sponsored by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology. Join this seminar via Zoom.

Weight Change and Metabolic Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Prevention



Thursday, February 1

8:00 a.m.

The David Meyer’s Grand Rounds Lecture Series features Chiranjeev Dash, MBBS, MPH, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine. Presented by the Department of Family Medicine. Join this Grand Rounds via Zoom.

Cancer Research Data Meeting

Thursday, February 1

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Presented by MD/PhD student Alex Lekan. Join the meeting in W302 or via Zoom.

Distinguished Scientist Seminar Series: “T0 to T4: From the Diaries of a Translational Scientist”

Thursday, February 1

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Presented by Israel Gannot, PhD, Kodesz Institute for Technologies in Healthcare, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University and adjunct professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University. Held in-person in the New Research Building Auditorium with Zoom option.

Brain Tumor Working Group Meeting

Thursday, February 1

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Bakhos Tannous, PhD, head of neuro-oncology discovery at Astra Zeneca, presents “Friend or Foe? Radiation Therapy in GBM and the Tumor Microenvironment.” Join this meeting via Zoom.

IO/Heme Working Group Meeting

Thursday, February 1

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Presenters are Louis Weiner, MD, and Ben Weinberg, MD, discussing “Phase II Trial of BXCL701 and Pembrolizumab in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (EXPEL PANC).” Join this meeting via Zoom.

Oncology Grand Rounds Lecture Series: “R-Loop Dynamics and Function in BRCA1-Related Tumorigenesis”

Friday, February 2

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. 

Presented by Rong Li, PhD, Ross Professor of Basic Science Research and chair, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences. Held in-person in the New Research Building Auditorium with Zoom option.

GUFaculty360 Class - Updating Your Profile

Monday, February 5

4:00 - 5:00 p.m. 

Learn how to upload your CV, add your personal website information, upload a syllabus, publications and more. Register for this class held via Zoom.

Save the Date

GI Oncology Research Review

Friday, February 9

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Join Ruesch Center Doctors John Marshall, Aiwu Ruth He, Ben Weinberg, Marcus Noel, and Reetu Mukherji for a review of research from the 2024 ASCO Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers Symposium. They will highlight the most compelling abstracts in colorectal, pancreatic, liver, and upper GI cancers. Register.

In the News

OncLive Taletrectinib Continues to Demonstrate High Clinical Activity in Advanced ROS1+ NSCLC

ForexTV.com The 2024 Washington, D.C. Auto Show Spotlights Automotive Innovation and Advocacy

Autobody News Washington, D.C. Auto Show Sparks Policy Debate, Showcases Future of Cars



Miami Herald Dog Study Published in PLOS ONE Shows Statistically Significant Results for Use of Jaguar Health’s Crofelemer for Preventive Treatment of Cancer Therapy-Related Diarrhea (CTD)

Individualised Neoantigen Therapy mRNA-4157 (V940) Plus Pembrolizumab Versus Pembrolizumab Monotherapy in Resected Melanoma (KEYNOTE-942): A Randomised, Phase 2b Study

Metabolomic Changes in Plasma of Preterminal Stage of Rhesus Nonhuman Primates Exposed to Lethal Dose of Radiation

Implicating the Cholecystokinin B Receptor in Liver Stem Cell Oncogenesis



Metabolomic Profiles in Tissues of Nonhuman Primates Exposed to Either Total- or Partial-Body Irradiation

Non-fatal Outcomes of COVID-19 Disease in Pediatric Organ Transplantation Associates With Down-Regulation of Senescence Pathways

Long-Term Survival in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated With Tivozanib: Analysis of the Phase III TIVO-3 Trial

SPINT2 Mutations in the Kunitz Domain 2 Found in SCSD Patients Inactivate HAI-2 as Prostasin Inhibitor Via Abnormal Protein Folding and N-glycosylation

LOI DUE 1/29: Twisted Pink Metastatic Breast Cancer Impact Award

Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, in collaboration with Twisted Pink are pleased to announce a new grant funding opportunity for independently conducted basic, translational, and clinical research in metastatic breast cancer. The overall goal of this funding is to accelerate understanding and advancements in clinical applications for people living with metastatic breast cancer. The grant will provide $200,000 in funding for the direct costs of the research over a 24-month project period. Indirect costs are not allowed. There is funding for one award. The grant agreement term is August 1, 2024 – July 31, 2026. View complete eligibility and application requirements. The application requires a two-step application process, and a Letter of Intent (LOI) is required. All application materials must be in English and must be submitted through the Application Portal. Paper applications or applications sent by e-mail or fax will not be accepted. If you have questions, please email the grants team. Letter of Intent due date: January 29 at 11:59 EST.

Damon Runyon Scholars Program for Advancing Research and Knowledge (SPARK)

The Damon Runyon Scholars Program for Advancing Research and Knowledge (SPARK) is a one-year research opportunity open to current college seniors and those who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree within the last 36 months who are:

• From a racial, ethnic, or other group underrepresented in biomedical fields, including first-generation college students, those from economically and/or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds as defined by the Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity, and those with disabilities
• A U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA recipient who is eligible to legally work in the United States 
• Strongly committed to a future career in research, with a curiosity for cancer research, and planning to pursue a PhD or MD/PhD degree following completion of post-baccalaureate research

The program will provide students who have the potential to become leaders in cancer research with rigorous scientific training and a network of mentors and peers to support their next steps into graduate school and beyond. The award includes a stipend and expense allowances for the recipient. Application deadline: Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. View more details and application guidelines.

Federal Grants Digest: Colleges & Universities Edition

A weekly curated digest of federal funding opportunities of interest to colleges and universities to support programming, research, infrastructure and other efforts, provided by Thorn Run Partners. View current issue (for Jan. 24, 2024).

8:00 AM | Division Weekly Update Meeting | Podium A / Microsoft Teams

8:30 AM | Monday Morning Oncology Report | Inpatient Oncology Fellow | Podium A / Microsoft Teams

9:00 AM | Breast Research Meeting | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 528 212 194)

11:00 AM | GU/Melanoma Research Meeting | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 796 253 566)

4:00 PM | GU Tumor Board (on 1st/3rd Mondays of the month) | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 869 742 463)

9:00 AM | Hematology Path Conference - Inpatient Heme fellows + Outpatient Heme + BMT fellow | Podium A / Microsoft Teams (CME code: 80737; phone: 202-796-7323)

4:00 PM | Liver Tumor Board | Microsoft Teams

5:00 PM | Breast Tumor Board | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 932 1012 3816)

8:00 AM | Thoracic Tumor Board | Podium A / Zoom (dial 646-558-8656; Meeting ID: 993 7680 5192; Passcode: 4231; CME 86693)

12:00 PM | Melanoma Tumor Board | Podium A / Microsoft Teams (CME: 80988)

5:00 PM | GI Tumor Board | Podium A / Microsoft Teams

9:00 AM | Cancer Research Data Meeting - Alex Lekan | W302 New Research Building or Zoom

9:30 AM | Head and Neck Tumor Board | Microsoft Teams

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

5:00 PM | Lymphoma Tumor Board - every other week | Microsoft Teams

5:00 PM | Myeloma Tumor Board - every other week | Microsoft Teams

7:00 AM | CNS Tumor Board | Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 298 285 483 265, Passcode: rJWpmU)

12:00 PM | Oncology Grand Rounds Lecture Series | Rong Li, PhD: “R-Loop Dynamics and Function in BRCA1-Related Tumorigenesis” | New Research Building Auditorium / Zoom

12:00 PM | TBA | Podium A | Teams Conference Link (Text In Code: 81202 or 81203 / Text In Telephone: 202-796-7323)

1:00 PM | TBA | Podium A | Teams Conference Link (Text In Code: 81202 or 81203 / Text In Telephone: 202-796-7323)

1:00 PM | Pancreas Tumor Board | Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 299 996 740 910, Passcode: z7j7Rc)

2:00 PM | TBA | Podium A | Teams Conference Link (Text In Code: 81202 or 81203 / Text In Telephone: 202-796-7323)