Winter Wonderland

Happy New Year! I hope you had time to recharge, refresh and spend time with the people you love. I also hope you are prepared for the looming snowstorm that has shut down the university on Monday. Be safe out there! Read more.

Lombardi Lectures & Meetings

Join Grand Rounds in the New Research Building Auditorium (Zoom option).

Join these meetings in W302 (Zoom option).

Submit an Abstract for the MedStar–Georgetown Research & Education Symposium

Abstract submissions for the 2025 MedStar Health–Georgetown University Research & Education Symposium will be accepted starting this Wednesday, January 8, through February 24. The symposium, scheduled for May 19, will feature research posters for more than 300 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 participate. View complete submission guidelines.

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Georgetown Lombardi Developmental Funds Request for Proposals

Proposals continue to be accepted for grant opportunities designed to provide developmental funds for the initiation of promising new cancer-related projects leading to multi-PI (MPI) peer-reviewed funding and high-impact publications, with an emphasis in cross-consortium collaborations and/or inter-programmatic collaborations. Projects will be funded by CCSG, BellRinger and other gifts as available, as well as institutional funds.

Projects may be submitted for consideration in two categories:

• Large multi-project pilots that will lead to a P01, SPORE or U grant (1-year award at up to $100,000, with the option of renewal dependent on progress)
• Smaller pilots that will lead to an MPI R01 submission (1-year award of up to $50,000)

Proposed projects must have a cancer-relevant research focus, including basic, clinical, translational, or population sciences, with additional requirements for each category. Submissions will be reviewed and scored based on current NCI review processes by a peer-review committee. View full proposal requirements and application instructions. All applications are now due Wednesday, January 15 to Sharon Levy (sgl5@georgetown.edu).

DISCOVER Grant Call for Proposals and Information Sessions

The DISCOVER grant offers early-stage investigators (postdoctoral fellows, instructors and assistant professors) up to $100,000 over 12 months for proposals focused on community engagement and addressing disparities in cancer, stroke or maternal health in the Washington, D.C., area. Read more about this opportunity. The proposal submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, February 3.

DISCOVER pilot grant information sessions will be held via Zoom to offer guidance and answer questions:

• Monday, January 13, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
• Thursday, January 16, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
• Friday, January 24, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Email questions about the grant to discover@georgetown.edu.

Updated Postdoctoral Fellow Hiring Process: Drop-in Office Hours

GUMC Human Resources officers will answer questions about the hiring process for GUMC postdoctoral fellows during a series of Zoom drop-in office hours in January as follows:

• SOH and SON: Monday, Jan. 13, between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.
• Lombardi: Tuesday, Jan. 14, between 10 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
• SOM Basic Science Departments: Thursday, Jan. 16, between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.
• SOM Clinical Departments: Wednesday, Jan. 22, between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.
• GUMC Centers: Thursday, Jan. 23, between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m.

RSVP here for a drop-in session. View the updated process and forms on the webpage for HR officers, faculty mentors and PIs. Email ofaa@georgetown.edu with questions.

Announcing a New Lombardi DEI Workshop Series in 2025

The Lombardi DEI Office invites all faculty, staff and students to attend the inaugural workshop for the DEI Workshop Series in 2025. Please stay tuned for future workshop topics and dates.

Workshop 1: Building LGBTQI+ Competencies in Cancer Care and Research

Wednesday, February 12, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. ET

Register to receive a calendar invite with Zoom link.

Featuring Scout, MA, PhD, executive director, National LGBT Cancer Network, this inaugural workshop has the following learning objectives:

• Creating Welcoming Spaces: Learn effective communication strategies to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQI+ communities, including language use, signage and clinical policies.
• Understand SOGI+ Data Collection: Learn the importance and methods of collecting SOGI+ data to better address the specific health-care needs of LGBTQI+ individuals.
• Promote Inclusion in Clinical Trials: Gain insight into the significance of inclusive practices in clinical trials and be empowered to advocate for the representation of LGBTQI+ populations in cancer research, ensuring that treatments are effective and relevant for all communities.

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Center for Metabolomic Studies Seminar Series: “Metabolic Symbioses in Complex Tumor Neighborhoods”

Presented by M. Celeste Simon, PhD, scientific director and investigator, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute; associate director, Shared Resources, Abramson Cancer Center; Arthur H. Rubenstein, MBBCh Professor, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.

Join this seminar via Zoom.

CANCELED - TO BE RESCHEDULED

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Distinguished Scientist Seminar Series: “Exploiting Metabolic Vulnerabilities in IDH1-Mutant Gliomas”

This presentation by Mioara Larion, PhD, of the Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, will be rescheduled.

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

CDI Seminar: “Addressing Tobacco-Related Disparities Among Latinos Via Community-Based Participatory Research”

Presented by Francisco Cartujano, MD, assistant professor, Public Health Sciences and Community Health and Prevention, University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). Join this seminar via Zoom.

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Bhussry Seminar Series: “De Novo Engineered Living Materials From Bacteria”

Presented by Sara Molinari, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park. Sponsored by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology. Join this seminar in Basic Science Building 341 or via Zoom.

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Cancer Research Data Meeting

Presentation by Stanley Tam. Join this meeting in-person in W302 New Research Building with Zoom option.

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Radiation Sciences Working Group Seminar

Featuring the presentation “Targeting Lipid Metabolism to Restore Immune Reactivity of Irradiated Glioblastoma” by Claire Vanpouille-Box, PhD, assistant professor of cell biology in radiation oncology and director, Radiation Therapy Preclinical Core, Weill Cornell Medicine. Join this meeting via Zoom.

4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Edward M. Kovach Cura Personalis Endowed Lecture

A conversation on “How to Make a Difference in the Complicated Lives of Cancer Survivors” with Karen Knudsen, PhD, MBA, American Cancer Society; Nicole Faison, cancer survivor; Louis M. Weiner, MD, director, Georgetown Lombardi; and Nina Kadan-Lottick, MD, MSPH, director, Survivorship Research Initiative, Georgetown Lombardi. In addition, the Wooden Spoon Award will be presented to Patrick Jackson, MD, chief of the Division of General Surgery and director of the Surgical Residency Program at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, and professor of surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Join this event in Riggs Library, Healy Hall. RSVP.

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Clinical and Translational Research Grand Rounds: “Using a 3B Approach To Translate Discoveries: From Bedside to Bench and Back”

Presented by Alessia Fornoni, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and molecular and cellular pharmacology; director, the Peggy and Harold Katz Drug Discovery Center; co-director, MSTP and CTSA/KL2 programs, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Sponsored by GHUCCTS. Join this lecture via Zoom.

10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

GUFaculty360 Class - Updating Your Profile

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

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Thesis Defense

Presented by Sidharth Jain, PhD candidate in the Tumor Biology Program. Mentor: Anton Wellstein, MD, PhD. Join this meeting in-person in W302 New Research Building with Zoom option.

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Distinguished Scientist Seminar Series: “Physical Principles of Spatial Organization Within Nuclei Via Phase Separation”

Presented by Rohit Pappu, PhD, Gene K. Beare Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering, director, Center for Biomolecular Condensates, Washington University in St. Louis. Join this seminar in the New Research Building Auditorium or via Zoom.

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

MHRI-GHUCCTS Monthly Statistical Seminar Series: “Time Series Analysis”

Presented by Paul Kolm, PhD, associate director in the Department of Biostatistics and Biomedical Informatics at MedStar Health Research Institute. Sponsored by GHUCCTS. Register to join this Zoom webinar.

Publications

Effects of Expressive Helping Writing During Stem Cell Transplant: Randomized Controlled Trial

Simulated Galactic Cosmic Radiation Exposure-Induced Mammary Tumorigenesis in ApcMin/+ Mice Coincides with Activation of ERα-ERRα-SPP1 Signaling Axis

Biased Language in Simulated Handoffs and Clinician Recall and Attitudes

DOT1L Mediates Stem Cell Maintenance and Represents a Therapeutic Vulnerability in Cancer

An Update of a Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses Exploring Flavours in Intervention Studies of E-Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation



Challenges and Lessons Learned in Recruiting Participants for School-Based Disease Prevention Programs During COVID-19

Prognostic Value of Residual Disease (RD) Biology and Gene Expression Changes During the Neoadjuvant Treatment in Patients with HER2+ Early Breast Cancer (EBC)

The Efficacy of Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring as a Behaviour Change Tool in Populations With and Without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

US Tobacco 21 Policies and Potential Mortality Reductions by State

The Impact of a Small-Group Mammography Video Discussion on Promoting Screening Uptake Among Nonadherent Chinese American Immigrant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Feasibility of Implementing a Culturally And Linguistically Adapted Telephone-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Intervention For Depression and Anxiety With Hispanic and Latino Cancer Survivors

Inactivation of the SLC25A1 Gene During Embryogenesis Induces a Unique Senescence Program Controlled by p53

Comprehensive Characterization of MCL-1 in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: Expression, Molecular Profiles, and Outcomes



Cigarette Smoking and Symptom Burden: Baseline Results From 9 ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Clinical Trials

In the News

FOX 5 Stuff a Santa Fe: Lombardi Cancer Center gifted $25K from Hyundai Hope on Wheels

OncLive Uncovering the Power of Introspection to Drive Personalized Cancer Care

OncLive Explore the Latest Treatment Updates in EGFR-Mutated NSCLC

OncLive Taletrectinib Displays Efficacy, Tolerability in ROS1+ NSCLC in Multiple Clinical Trials

NHL.com Capitals Spread Holiday Cheer During Hospital Visit

NEW V Foundation RFA: 2025 Women Scientists Innovation Award for Cancer Research

Sustaining the careers of women in research and preventing the loss of women from academic careers focused on cancer is paramount to accomplishing the V Foundation’s mission. Georgetown Lombardi has been invited to nominate one applicant to apply for the V Foundation’s Women Scientists Innovation Award for Cancer Research. Please review the eligibility criteria and scope for each of the following opportunities:

• Women Scientists V Scholar RFA
• Women Scientists Translational RFA

This grant opportunity is specifically for cancer research led by a woman Principal Investigator, and the nominee may apply in either the V Scholar or the Translational grant type. View V Foundation grant FAQs. Those interested in being considered as the Lombardi nominee should email Sharon Levy (sgl5@georgetown.edu) a letter of intent by COB on Friday, January 24.

Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award

The Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award supports independent young physician-scientists conducting disease-oriented research that demonstrates a high level of innovation and creativity. 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. Finalists will be invited to be interviewed by the selection committee. Only one application will be accepted from a mentor (including co-mentorships) per review session. View detailed award information, eligibility criteria, application guidelines and forms. As soon as possible, those interested should contact Sharon Levy (sgl5@georgetown.edu), who will connect them with the appropriate institutional supports to apply. Institutional application deadline: February 3.

Melanoma Research Alliance RFP for Multiple Awards

The Melanoma Research Alliance has issued a request for proposals for preclinical, translational and early clinical research with the potential to produce unusually high impact, near-term advancements in melanoma prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment.

This cycle, proposals will be accepted for Established Investigator Awards, Academic-Industry Partnership Award (for Established Investigator Awards), Young Investigator Awards, Pilot Awards, Dermatology Career Development Awards and Special Opportunity Team Science Awards, Academic-Industry Partnership Award (for Special Opportunity Team Science Awards). View full descriptions of each award opportunity offered, including all Special Opportunities, as well as eligibility criteria and instructions.

Key deadlines:

• January 6: Invited Special Opportunity Team Science Award full proposals due
• April 2025: Awardees notified of funding decisions

2025 Basser External Research Grant Program

The Basser Center for BRCA at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center announces the Basser External Research Grant Program, which focuses on projects that have the potential to advance the care of individuals living with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Research grant applications in basic science, prevention, disease interception, and early detection and relevant to the study of BRCA1 or BRCA2 will be considered. Grants that demonstrate a potential for translation into clinical practice will be prioritized for funding. One-year projects, up to $100,000, will be awarded. View full application information and portal. Application deadline is 11:00 p.m. ET, Monday, February 10.

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 January 1, 2025).

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; CME Code: 87253)

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 | Stanley Tam | 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 | None | 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 | Dr. Doucette - Myeloma | 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 | Dr. Doucette - Myeloma + Questions | Podium A | Teams Conference Link (Text In Code: 81202 or 81203 / Text In Telephone: 202-796-7323)