Lasting Impact

Greetings after the long weekend, which included observance of the majestic life, work and lasting impact of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. In musing about King’s impact, I could not help but share with you a remarkable story from this past week.

On Friday, we rededicated the Lombardi Atrium as the Founder’s Atrium in honor of Georgetown Lombardi’s founding director, Dr. John Potter. It was a marvelous tribute to Dr. Potter, whom I have written about extensively, most recently after he passed away at the age of 95 almost two years ago.

Read more.

Georgetown Lombardi Faculty Members Aim To Improve Lung Cancer Screening and Smoking Cessation Rates by Focusing on Equity in Care

The Lung Screening, Tobacco, and Health research lab, co-led by Georgetown Lombardi members Kathryn Taylor, PhD, and Randi Williams, PhD, explores ways to help reduce cancer-related mortality due to tobacco use. The lab’s work is especially relevant to underserved communities, who are often the target of tobacco product marketing. Read more about this research.

‘Georgetown Faces’ Series Highlights Georgetown Lombardi Metrics and Analytics Coordinator

Georgetown Faces, the storytelling series that highlights outstanding individuals, unsung heroes and beloved figures on campus, recently featured Karen Howenstein (C’93), metrics and analytics coordinator for Georgetown Lombardi’s Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) Office. Howenstein compiles data that is used to support grant efforts and strategic decision-making around education and training. But she also leads a nonprofit inspired by her experience as a contestant in the Hyundai Hands On Hope Contest. Read more.

Accelerating Innovation: Funding Your Biomedical Technology through the NIH SBIR/STTR Programs

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Development Center presents a workshop on Tuesday, February 6, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. in Warwick Evans Conference Room, Building D about funding opportunities for biomedical innovators, as well as application tips, programs, and available entrepreneurial resources for small business applicants and grantees. Speaker presentations are followed by a Q&A. Attendees may book one-on-one meetings from 3:30 - 4:00 p.m. with NIH program staff to discuss their projects (contact Bryce Geiling, bryce.geiling@nih.gov, by Friday, Feb. 2). Co-sponsored by Georgetown University, George Washington University and the National Cancer Institute. Register by Friday, Jan. 26, 2 p.m.

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.

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.

Applications can be submitted for the following specific initiatives:

• Trainee Stipends for Georgetown Lombardi Students/Trainees (Summer, Fall, Spring)
• Booster Funding for Georgetown Lombardi Faculty
• Leadership Coaching / Training for Georgetown Lombardi Faculty
• Scientific Editing and Grant Writing Support for Georgetown Lombardi Faculty
• Development Funding for Georgetown Lombardi Staff

Opportunities have different deadlines and requirements; the earliest deadlines start January 22. Applications will be evaluated on applicant eligibility, alignment of the proposal with Georgetown Lombardi DEI aims, clarity of the proposal’s goals and outcomes, and relevance to Georgetown Lombardi’s overall mission. View more information 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.

About the program:

• Ten-week full-time program available beginning June 3, 2024 ($5,000 stipend).
• In-Person/virtual workshops, seminars, scientific meetings, mentoring and career development activities during the 2024-’25 academic year.
• Carefully matched mentors and peer mentors for each intern.
• Georgetown campus housing offered for in-person interns (in addition to stipend)

Application deadline: February 16, 2024. View more information and application portal. Questions: cancerresearchtraining@georgetown.edu.

Department of Microbiology & Immunology Seminar Series: “The Viral Protein Fragment Theory of Cardiovascular and Neurological Pathogenesis: Implications for COVID-19 and HIV”

Tuesday, January 16

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

Presented by Yuichiro Suzuki, PhD, professor, Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Georgetown University. Join this seminar in Med-Dent NE301 and via Zoom.

Bhussry Seminar Series: “Mapping in Utero Cell Fate Dynamics Using Lineage Barcoding” 

Tuesday, January 16

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Presented by Reza Kalhor, PhD, assistant professor of biomedical engineering,

molecular biology & genetics, neuroscience, and genetic medicine, Center for Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Sponsored by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology. Join this seminar via Zoom.

Distinguish, Promote, & Simplify your Research Output with ORCID presented by DML

Wednesday, January 17

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Learn how to take advantage of ORCID (including the connection with GUFaculty360) to help promote your research output. Presented by Dahlgren Memorial Library. Register to join this workshop via Zoom.

Distinguished Scientist Seminar Series: “The Failing Kidney Allograft: Mechanisms and Management” & “Beyond Being Basic: Sodium Bicarbonate's Effects on Kidney Function, Blood Pressure and Inflammation”

Thursday, January 18

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Co-presented by Roslyn Mannon, MD, professor of medicine, vice chair of research, associate chief of nephrology research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Elinor Mannon, MD/PhD candidate, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University. Held in-person in the New Research Building Auditorium with Zoom option.

Oncology Grand Rounds Lecture Series: “Synthetic Lethal Therapy for HPV-Negative Head and Neck Cancer”

Friday, January 19

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. 

Presented by Barbara Burtness, MD, Anthony N. Brady Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology); chief translational research officer, Yale Cancer Center; chief, head and neck cancers/sarcoma; co-leader, developmental therapeutics, Yale Cancer Center; associate cancer center director for translational research, Yale Cancer Center. Held in-person in the New Research Building Auditorium with Zoom option.

Phase 2 Trial of Tremelimumab in Patients With Metastatic Urothelial Cancer Previously Treated With Programmed Death 1/Programmed Death Ligand 1 Blockade

How Do Users Compare the Costs Between Nicotine Vaping Products and Cigarettes? Findings From the 2016-2020 International Tobacco Control United States Surveys

Preliminary Effects of a Rural Skin Cancer Prevention Intervention for Youths



CCR5 and CCL5 Gene Expression in Colorectal Cancer: Comprehensive Profiling and Clinical Value

DEADLINE THIS WEEK: Mary Kay Ash Foundation Innovative/Translational Cancer Research Grant

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 Friday, Jan. 19, 2024.

V Foundation 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. To help level the playing field for women in cancer research, Georgetown Lombardi may nominate one applicant to apply for the V Foundation’s “Women Scientists Innovation Award for Cancer Research.” This grant opportunity is specifically for cancer research led by a woman Principal Investigator. The nominee may apply in either the V Scholar or the Translational grant type (note the strict eligibility criteria and scope for each). Those interested should submit a letter of intent to Sharon Levy (sgl5@georgetown.edu) by Monday, January 22.

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.

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: 937 7707 3374; CME code: 80044)

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 - Megan McNamara - Thesis Defense: “Methylation Patterns of Cell-Free DNA in the Circulation Reveal Tissue-Specific Cellular Damage” | 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 | Barbara Burtness, MD: “Synthetic Lethal Therapy for HPV-Negative Head and Neck Cancer” | New Research Building Auditorium / Zoom

12:00 PM | Dr. Gomez Lobo - Fertility - GU/Survivorship | Podium A | Teams Conference Link (Text In Code: 81202 or 81203 / Text In Telephone: 202-796-7323)

1:00 PM | Oday/Chitalia - Onc Path: Inflammatory/High-Risk Breast | 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. Chitalia - Pregnancy Associated BC/Surveillance | Podium A | Teams Conference Link (Text In Code: 81202 or 81203 / Text In Telephone: 202-796-7323)