Member News & Updates - The University of Chicago Medicine ...

cancer.uchicago.edu VOL. 4, ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2011
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Funding Opportunities
Funding opportunities for cancer
research with internal or agency
deadlines from Oct. 11–Nov. 10:
UCCCC
• American Cancer Society
Institutional Research Grant
Request for Applications from
Junior Faculty
American Cancer Society
• Mentored Research Scholarship
Grants in Applied and Clinical
Research
• Research Scholar Grants in
Cancer Control: Health Policy
and Health Services Research
American Lung Association
• Clinical Patient Care Research
Grant
• Biomedical Research Grant
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
• Specialized Center of Research
Award
Melanoma Research Foundation
• Career Development Award
National Institutes of Health
• Translational Scholar Career
Awards in Pharmacogenomics
and Personalized Medicine
• NIH Director’s New Innovator
Award Program
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
• Pathway to Leadership Grant
• Fellowship Awards
For a complete listing, visit the
Funding Opportunities section of the
UCCCC website.
Member News & Updates
Salgia to Enhance Translational
Medicine at UChicago
Professor of Medicine Ravi Salgia, MD, PhD, has been named
the associate director for translational science for the UCCCC
and the new vice chair for
translational research for the
Department of Medicine (DOM)
to bolster UChicago’s cancer
research and translational
medicine programs. His
responsibilities as vice chair
for translational research will
include: helping recruit translational researchers; promoting
translational research across the DOM; reorganizing the DOM
Research Advisory Committee; and facilitating the development
of new scientific programs. As the new associate director for
translational science for the UCCCC, Dr. Salgia will work closely
with UCCCC leaders to promote translational research within
the UCCCC and across The University of Chicago Medical Center
cancer programs.
Artz, Zimmerman Serve as Interim
Transplant Program Directors
Andrew Artz, MD, assistant professor of medicine, has
assumed responsibilities as interim director of the Bone Marrow
Transplant (BMT) Program
and will have oversight
and responsibility for all
clinical, administrative,
and research aspects of
the program. Dr. Artz
is joined by Associate
Professor of Medicine Todd
From left: Andrew Artz, MD, Todd Zimmerman, MD
Zimmerman, MD, who
will assume responsibilities
as interim director of Autologous Blood and Marrow
Transplantation. In this role, Dr. Zimmerman will work closely
with Dr. Artz to supervise and enhance autologous transplant
activities.
Continued on Page 2
At the Forefront of Discovery ®

Member News OCTOBER 2011
Continued from Page 1
Armato Selected for Research
Fellowship in Japan
Samuel Armato, PhD, associate
professor of radiology, was invited
by the Japanese Society for the
Promotion of Science to visit Japan
as a research fellow for 2 weeks in
March. He will travel to five Japanese
universities to deliver lectures on his
research, including his leadership
with the National Cancer Institutefunded
Lung Image Database Consortium of thoracic
CT scans with nodules. During his visits, he will also
provide guidance to the Japanese research groups on
their research methodology.
Weichselbaum Earns Award
Ralph Weichselbaum, MD,
professor of radiation and
cellular oncology, and colleagues
have received $50,000 from
UChicagoTech’s Innovation Fund
to validate the gene signature
that predicts individual benefit
from radiation therapy for early
stage, localized breast cancer. The
Innovation Fund, which supports proof-of-concept
projects, will allow Dr. Weichselbaum and colleagues
to potentially develop a test that can identify which
patients will benefit from radiation and chemotherapy
for many types of cancer, including head and neck,
breast, lung, prostate, and high-grade glioma.
Olopade Delivers Distinguished
Lecture on Cancer Health
Disparities
The American Association for Cancer Research
(AACR) awarded Olufunmilayo Olopade, MBBS,
Walter L. Palmer Distinguished
Service Professor of Medicine
and Human Genetics, with the
2011 AACR Distinguished Lecture
on the Science of Cancer Health
Disparities, funded by Susan G.
Komen for the Cure®. A member
of the Komen Scholars scientific
advisory panel, Dr. Olopade was
honored for her work in the study
of breast cancer genetics. She delivered a lecture,
“Closing the Knowledge Disparity Gap: From Molecular
Mechanisms to Interventions and Back,” during the
AACR Conference on The Science of Cancer Health
Disparities, held Sept. 18-21 in Washington, D.C.
Welcome, Newly Hired Faculty
The UCCCC is proud to have the following individuals join
our efforts to diagnose, treat, and prevent cancer.
Member News
Vol. 4, Issue 10 October 2011
The UCCCC’s monthly Member News
e-newsletter features recent accomplishments
and member highlights. It also showcases
services and tools offered by the UCCCC
and provides information on upcoming
seminars, events, and funding and educational
opportunities.
To submit a story, e-mail feedback@bsd.uchicago.edu
or call 1-773-702-2806.
Find Us on
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and Twitter
Jonas de Souza, MD, is an instructor of medicine
in the Section of Hematology/Oncology.
His research focuses on malignancies of the upper
aerodigestive tract, especially head and neck
cancers.
Hongtao Liu, MD, PhD, joined the Section
of Hematology/Oncology as an instructor. His
research efforts focus on therapeutic strategies
for acute myeloid leukemia, stem cell transplantation,
and other hematological malignancies.
Gordana Raca, MD, PhD, joins Michelle M. Le
Beau, PhD, as a co-director of the Cancer Cytogenetics
Laboratory. Dr. Raca’s research includes
molecular and cytogenetic mechanisms of genetic
diseases and diagnostics.
cancer.uchicago.edu 2

Member News OCTOBER 2011
FOCUS ON
CORE FACILITIES
MRIS
The Magnetic Resonance
Imaging and Spectroscopy
Facility (MRIS) utilizes a 9.4T
scanner to provide highquality
MR images and
analyzation techniques for studies of both animal models
and clinical research involving human subjects.
Services Provided:
• Scans of tissues, cells, materials, animal models of
cancer, and patients to provide information such as
detailed 3D anatomy, blood volume, energy
metabolism, changes in tumor oxygenation during
therapy, calcium dynamics, and pancreatic function
• Development and functional MR imaging (fMRI)
measurements of the brain
• Molecular imaging and correlation with gene
expression
• Multimodality imaging including optical, micropositron
emission tomography (microPET)/single
photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT
and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)
• Development and testing of new contrast agents and
imaging methods
• Data analysis and consultation
• Veterinary services, including the preparation of
animals for MRI experiments, anesthesia and
respiration, physiological monitoring, catheter
implantation, and tumor implantation
• MRI components of clinical trials ( e.g., use of MRI to
evaluate response to experimental therapies)
To learn more about the MRIS Core Facility, visit
mris.bsd.uchicago.edu.
Upcoming Seminars
Tuesday, Oct. 4
4:00–5:00 p.m., KCBD 1103
The University of Chicago Breast Cancer SPORE
Breast Tissue Composition and Susceptibility to Breast Cancer
Norman F. Boyd, MD, professor of medicine
University of Toronto
Monday, Oct. 10
7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Gleacher Center, 450 N. Cityfront Plaza Dr.
The University of Chicago Department of Medicine
The Inaugural Francis L. Lederer Foundation Symposium on
Esophageal Cancer Research
Friday, Oct. 21
12:00–1:00 p.m., KCBD 1103
UCCCC Seminar Series
Cancer and Aging: Rival Demons
Judith Campisi, PhD, professor of cell & molecular biology
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California
Pritzker School of
Medicine Receives
High Rankings
Congratulations to The
University of Chicago Pritzker
School of Medicine for being
ranked #5 in the U.S. News &
World Report’s Best Graduate
Schools survey. Pritzker also
ranked #12 in the Medical
Research category.
SAVE THE DATE
Monday, May 21
Shubitz Lecture
The prestigious 2012 Simon M. Shubitz Cancer Prize will be bestowed
upon Joe Gray, PhD, a renowned genomics expert at Oregon Health
& Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute, who is taking a lead on
making personalized cancer medicine a reality for all patients.
cancer.uchicago.edu 3

Member News OCTOBER 2011
Upcoming Activities
October 4, 14, and 25
ED-U-CATE Sessions
Exelon, Catholic Charities, and
Chicago Public Schools
October 14
ENRICH’D Program
Percy L. Julian High School
The OCECD will help students
develop a prostate cancer
screening campaign
October 17
ENRICH’D Town Hall Meeting
on Breast Cancer
Chinese American Service
League
Breast cancer screening education
delivered in Cantonese
and mammography sign-ups
Clockwise from top left: NASCAR driver Max Papis brightens the day for Danita Williams, a survivor
of uterine cancer; University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine student David Bluhm
administers a flu shot to a soccer player at the “¡Gol...A Tú Salud!” health fair; Pamela Cratic,
Arlean Pleasant, and Dr. Deborah Beasley get ready to watch an advance screening of the
movie “50/50,” presented by the UCCCC and LIVESTRONG; Ursula Redmond, OCECD program
outreach manager, and OCECD Director Karen Kim, MD, MS, are thanked by members of
the Army Reserve Teen Panel after Dr. Kim spoke to the group about cancer prevention.
October 25
Cancer Transitions
Apostolic Faith Church
A program for cancer survivors
developed by LIVESTRONG
News from the
OCECD
The UCCCC Office of Community
Engagement and Cancer Disparities
(OCECD) serves local communities
through research, education, and
outreach programs. In this section,
we highlight recent and upcoming
OCECD activities. Visit cancer.
uchicago.edu/community for more
information.
Recent Activities
NASCAR Driver Visits Cancer
Survivors
Massimiliano “Max” Papis,
NASCAR’s first Italian driver, visited
UChicago in September as an
ambassador from LIVESTRONG,
the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
He ate lunch with four adult cancer
survivors and spent time with
pediatric cancer patients during
their infusion treatments. He also
shared his personal experiences
with cancer and donated a steering
wheel to UChicago’s sports
memorabilia collection.
Army Reserve Teen Leaders
Learn About Cancer Prevention
In September, OCECD Director
Karen E. Kim, MD, MS, associate
professor of medicine, met with 21
teens from the U.S. Army Reserve
Teen Panel to discuss cancer
prevention. The teens were children
of Army reservists who have been
selected from all over the country
to develop effective strategies and
implement solutions for issues they
face as military youth.
Health Fair Promotes Cancer
Awareness for Hispanics
The OCECD and the American
Cancer Society hosted a health
fair, “¡Gol...A Tú Salud!” (Goal...
To Your Health!), at Luther South
High School in September during
the Chicago Latin American Soccer
Association’s championship games,
attended by nearly 3,000 people
that weekend. Visitors to OCECD’s
tent were offered blood pressure
screenings, fresh fruit and water, as
well as information about cancer
screening services. Additionally,
students from Pritzker School of
Medicine helped administer 163
flu shots provided by the Chicago
Department of Public Health.
The event coincided with Prostate
Cancer Awareness Month and
Hispanic Heritage Month.
cancer.uchicago.edu 4

Member News OCTOBER 2011
Members in the Media
The following news stories feature UCCCC members.
To submit a story, e-mail feedback@bsd.uchicago.edu.
Mark Ratain, MD, provided commentary in The
Cancer Letter about the possibility of creating a nonprofit
drug company to alleviate drug shortages.
(UCCCC members have free access to this newsletter.
Contact feedback@bsd.uchicago.edu for information.)
Dr. Ratain also received coverage in New Drugs Info
magazine about a commentary he wrote for the Journal
of Clinical Oncology speaking out against oral cancer
drugs being taken without food.
Kenneth Alexander, MD, PhD, was quoted in
New York magazine for a story about Rep. Michele
Bachmann’s (R-Minn.) comment that suggested a
link between the human papilloma virus vaccine and
mental retardation. He warned that misled parents
could avoid getting their daughters immunized, putting
them at risk for developing cervical cancer.
During September, which is Leukemia and Lymphoma
Awareness Month, the Chicago Blood Cancer
Foundation posted an episode of “Battling and Beating
Cancer” with Michelle Le Beau, PhD, who discussed
progress in treating leukemia and in understanding the
biology of the disease.
Richard Schilsky, MD, commented in a Medscape
Medical News article about the American Association
for Cancer Research’s cancer progress report that
urges Congress to continue to increase funding for
biomedical research.
Susan Cohn, MD, was mentioned or quoted in several
news clips this month:
The Daily Herald reported about a Hoffman Estates
family that donated 100% of its proceeds from a 5K
run to help neuroblastoma research led by Dr. Cohn at
Comer Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Cohn was featured in the “Conversations with...”
video series by MedPage Today about progress made
over the past several decades in pediatric oncology.
Dr. Cohn received coverage in a Chicago Health
story about an 8-year-old cancer survivor whose
neuroblastoma was treated at Comer with
immunotherapy.
UChicago in the Media
The Daily Herald reported on an event held by TV
celebrity Dina Manzo’s charity fund, Atia’s Project
Ladybug, to raise money to support pediatric cancer
patients and their families at Comer Children’s
Hospital. The event featured a life-sized Candy Land
game and raised $8,500.
Comer received coverage in a Berwyn Life article
about a 7-year-old girl undergoing treatment for
medulloblastoma.
The Daily Herald described the Libertyville High
School football coach’s experiences with cancer during
his last season before retirement. The coach was treated
with radiation and chemotherapy at UChicago for
squamous cell carcinoma.
UChicago received coverage in Health Day News for a
tailored hepatitis C therapy that may halve the length
of treatment.
The Elmhurst Patch wrote a story about a group of third
graders that organized a lemonade stand to help their
classmate who is being treated for neuroblastoma at
UChicago.
UChicago was mentioned in the Winston-Salem
Journal as one of the participating sites of a clinical trial
for a neo-urinary conduit implanted in patients with
bladder cancer.
The Chicago Tribune covered a story about the long
political career of U.S. Representative Bobby Rush
(D-Ill.), mentioning that he was treated by UChicago
doctors for cancer of the salivary gland.
A photo of a UChicago physician using the da Vinci
Surgical System was featured in a Columbia Daily
Tribune article about early detection of prostate cancer.
The Chicago Tribune reported on UChicago’s plans
to help fund the new James C. Tyree Charitable
Foundation in memory of the Sun-Times chairman who
was passionate about healthcare.
Science Daily reported on a study by UChicago
physician Navin Pinto, MD, that found common genetic
variants were linked to high-risk neuroblatoma.
cancer.uchicago.edu 5