We are thrilled to invite all of you to our Fifth Annual Project Next Symposium!
Our Project Next Symposium is a “first of its kind” event offering Breast and Gynecologic Cancers Center trainees* at Huntsman Cancer Institute—the next generation of researchers—an opportunity to present their research to Breast and Gynecologic Cancers research advocates and the community. This symposium aims to highlight engagement between patients, survivors, and researchers, which we feel will be of interest and helpful to the BGCC breast and gynecologic cancers community.
*Trainees include post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and research scholars.
When
Friday, March 20
from 12:00–6:00 PM
Where
Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Research South Auditorium and Plaza
12:00–1:00 PM (Optional)
Meet and Greet
- Advocate poster exhibit—"Real Results: How BGC Research Advocates Have Helped Huntsman Cancer Institutes Researchers’ Succeed"
Poster Exhibit Description: This exhibit created by advocates will help attendees gain a better understanding of how exactly the Breast and& Gynecologic Cancers Research Advocate Committees have contributed to the success of a Huntsman Cancer Institute’s researcher’s projects. The posters will explain the research-advocate role performed in a Huntsman Cancer Institutes research project and why this advocate/researcher collaboration was a success and meaningful to the research advocates.
- Refreshments: Coffee and cookies
1:00–1:15 PM
Welcome and Symposium Overview
- Alana Welm, PhD, Scientific Advisor, BGCRA Committee
- Carla Lloyd, PhD, Chair and Research Advocate, BGCRA Committee
1:15–2:15 PM
Keynote Address
- 1:15–1:20 PM: Alana Welm, PhD, to introduce speaker
- 1:20–2:00 PM: Keynote Speaker: Kimberly Leslie, MD, Physician, "Heal thyself: A journey through cancer to survivorship"
- 2:00–2:15 PM: Q&A
Keynote Speaker’s Bio:
Kimberly Leslie, MD, is a physician scientist and a professor in the Division of Molecular Medicine, the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine with a secondary appointment in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Leslie is the Jennifer R. Niebyl Endowed Chairman Emeritus of the University of Iowa Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a former American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology Examiner, a member of multiple NIH study sections, and a member of the NIH NICHD Council and the NIH Director’s Council of Councils. Dr. Leslie has been continuously funded by NIH since 1991 for basic and translational research relating to the molecular mechanisms of diseases in the reproductive tract with special emphasis on gynecologic malignancies. She currently serves as the PI or the MPI of multiple research projects funded by the Department of Defense and the NIH, including the Route 66 Endometrial Cancer SPORE, a Department of Defense Impact grant, Treating Advanced Uterine Endometrial Cancers by Reactivating p53, and a Department of Defense Translational Team grant, Progestin Therapy for Endometrial Cancer. Most recently, Dr. Leslie and Dr. Jay Gertz from the University of Utah serve as MPIs on the newly awarded Program Project Grant, Advancing Hormone Therapy for Endometrial Cancer. Dr. Leslie’s more than 160 publications include work in the fields of obstetrics and oncology, identifying individualized hormonal treatments and therapeutics targeting the multiple forms of mutant p53 proteins. This work is leading to novel and personalized therapeutic options for women with ovarian and endometrial cancers.
2:15-2:30 PM
Break
2:30–4:15 PM
Oral Presentations
Xandra Richey, gynecologic cancers scientific liaison, to introduce each presenter.
Three 10-minute science talks from trainees with a 5-minute Q&A for each:
- "Sticking together: Cell crowding boosts metabolic resilience in nutrient-depleted environments," Lisa Shakachite, Pavlova Lab
- “Identifying drivers of breast cancer dormancy using rapid autopsy patient samples," Menusha Arumugam, Welm Lab
- "Glutamine tug-of-war: Cancer vs. bone-building cells," Mumtaz Shirin, Pavlova Lab
- Advocate Talks: Linda James and Melissa Smith
Three 10-minute science talks with a 5-minute Q&A for each:
Jake Polaski, gynecologic cancers research scientist, to introduce each presenter.
- “Dietary intake in ovarian cancer survivors: A closer look at protein," Laurie Grieshober, Doherty Lab
- "Understanding protein function in endometrial cancer: Unraveling the tumor suppressive and cancer-promoting roles of similar proteins," Isabella Crockett, Gertz Lab
- "𝒊MAC-Chip: An Inflatable chip to study malignant ascites in ovarian cancer," Md Mahedi Hasan, Al-Hilal Lab
- Advocate Talks: Deb Jordan and Sara Orgill
4:15–4:45 PM
Refreshments & Reception
4:45–5:45 PM
Lightning Talks
Craig Rush, gynecologic cancers research scientist, to introduce the lightning talk portion of our symposium.
Seven 3-minute presentations from trainees with a 2-minute Q&A for each:
- "Moving your way out of risk: Meeting physical activity guidelines is associated with lower whole-body stress," Charlie Rodgers, Coletta Lab
- “QuPath quantification and automated detection of metastatic tumor cells," Jack Hatch, Welm Lab
- “Progesterone receptor in endometrial cancer: Deciphering the role of heterodimers versus homodimers," Remae Mackamul, Gertz Lab
- “High concordance between self-reported genetic testing and medical records in ovarian cancer survivors," Andralyn Huff, Doherty Lab
- “Learning from pregnancy to fight adrenal cancer," Yemi Imodoye, Basham Lab
- “Mitochondrial transfer promotes breast cancer cell proliferation," Noah Bressler, Roh-Johnson Lab
- “What does symptom burden look like over time for ovarian cancer survivors?” Kandyce Keller, Doherty Lab
5:45–6:00 PM
Closing, Awards Announcements, and Thanks
Alana L. Welm, PhD
Alexandra Richey
Clint Valencia
Carla Lloyd, PhD
Breast & Gynecologic Cancers Research Advocate Leadership Team
- Dr. Alana Welm, Scientific Advisor
- Dr. Carla Lloyd, Advocate, Committee Chair
- Graduate Students Clint Valencia and Alexandra Richey, Scientific Liaisons
Research Advocates
Toni Allman, Rebecca Cressman, Deserae Cumpton, Deborah DeKoff, Raven Haymond, Linda James, Cami Kapp, Deborah Jordan, Andy Lawson, Brittany Lee, Carla Lloyd, Sara Orgill, Eliza Richards, Brenda San Juan, Denise Smith, Melissa Smith, Shari Soelberg, Karen Strauss
Committee Description
The Breast and Gynecologic Cancers Research Advocate (BGCRA) Committee is a volunteer group of patients and survivors who provide their perspectives on research. The advocates can help researchers see the patients’ point of view in the various phases of their research to ensure that it is patient-centered, innovative, evidence-based, and accessible. Advocates welcome researchers to share their projects every third Friday of the month. Please contact BGCRA Committee Chair Carla Lloyd at carla.lloyd@hci.utah.edu for meeting times.
Real Results
How advocates are impacting research at Huntsman Cancer Institute
At this year’s Project Next Symposium, we launch our new Real Results advocate poster exhibit. In their own words, each advocate tells you how they worked with scientists to get “real results” on a project and why it was so meaningful to them. Breast and gynecologic cancers research advocates are having an impact on research at Huntsman Cancer Institute. They write letters of support, deliver keynote addresses, conduct original research, serve on boards, and offer unique patient perspectives on research projects. These posters express the deep advocate/researcher collaboration that exists here at Huntsman Cancer Institute. They were created by advocates and Welm Lab scientists alike at a special poster-making gathering.
Browse through the posters. You will meet the advocates and the cancer journey they have taken. The posters highlight projects advocates have contributed to. You’ll also meet the scientists pushing forward research that gives patients hope. We continue to thank Huntsman Cancer Institute researchers for all their hard work and allowing advocates to lend their patient voices to research.
At today’s symposium, you’ll see the research advocates sitting on the front row. They’ll ask questions, offer comments, and engage in trainees’ research. This is something they do for Breast and Gynecologic Cancers Center and University of Utah researchers every month. When they are not meeting with researchers, this advocate group is working on their own major projects.
These research advocates have chosen to be part of this active working group to give back, make a difference, have an impact on research, and help future patients. We hope you enjoy the exhibit and leave us your thoughts on a Post-It note so we can read what it meant to you! Thank you, and we hope you enjoy learning how advocates are making a difference at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
A Special Thanks to Our Supporters
The Project Next Symposium was made possible through generous monetary contribution from the Breast and Gynecologic Cancers Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute. We sincerely appreciate BGCC leaders Drs. Kelly Hewitt and Jairam Krishnamurthy for their ongoing support of our research advocate committee. We send special thanks to our scientific liaisons Alexandra Richey and Clint Valencia and Chair Dr. Carla Lloyd for their hard work and leadership in planning this event. We remain ever grateful to Huntsman Cancer Institute Communications Manager Matti McDaniel for all of her continued help and support. We thank Administrative Senior Administrative Manager of Huntsman Cancer Institute Disease Centers Emily Olsen for stepping in to assist us. Thanks to Kurt Cook who’s printed display photos these past five years. We appreciate Advocate Raven Haymond and her husband Bryce for designing our program.