Research Newsletter - October 2022

News briefs

Grand Rounds, Seminar Series moves to virtual-only format

Beginning Friday, Nov. 4, the cancer center’s Grand Rounds and Seminar Series are moving to a virtual-only format to reach the widest number of attendees. Speakers will continue to come to campus for in-person meetings with individual faculty and trainees as part of their visit to IU.

Robert Carlson, M.D., chief executive officer of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, will provide an overview about the NCCN's programs and opportunities during the Nov. 4 Grand Rounds. The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is the newest member of the NCCN. Attend the virtual event.

IUSCCC joins Caris Precision Oncology Alliance

The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is now a Caris Precision Oncology Alliance (POA) member. The POA is a network of leading cancer centers across the globe that collaborate to advance precision oncology and biomarker-driven research. Read the announcement.

Congratulations to pumpkin carving and chili cookoff winners

The inaugural IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Pumpkin Carving and Chili Cook-off was held Friday, Oct. 28. The lively event featured 14 pumpkin and 12 chili entries. Congratulations to all the winners! 

Pumpkin Carving Contest

  • Judge’s pick: Capitano Lab
  • Audience winner: Lee Lab

Chili Cook-Off

  • Judge’s pick: Oumaima Jaouadi
  • Audience winner: John Chirgwin

Welcome new OCOE staff member, Tam Hendricks

Tam Hendricks has joined the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (OCOE) as an administrative assistant. She will be responsible for providing organizational and correspondence support. Tam most recently served as the supplemental instruction leader for Lansing Community College.

Tam’s office is located in Gatch Hall CL, Suite 601. She can be reached at tamhend@iu.edu or 317-278-4754.

Member headlines and highlights

  • Francesca Duncan, M.D. (CPC), and Nasser Hanna, M.D. (EDT), each received a Primary Care Reaffirmation for Indiana Medical Education (PRIME) grant. Read more. 
  • Patrick Loehrer, M.D. (EDT), will be the keynote speaker at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute - Global Oncology Symposium on Nov. 7 in Boston. See more details.
  • Shelley Johns, Psy.D. (CPC), served as a panel member to help update the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer, which is now available for free in more than 70 languages, to help people around the world identify and address psychosocial stressors that may raise challenges when coping with cancer, its symptoms or treatment.
  • Tao Lu, Ph.D. (EDT), received the 2022 Outstanding Community Engagement Award from IU School of Medicine. This award honors faculty members who inspire and motivate their students and embody the spirit of teaching and commitment to learning.
  • Clint Cary, M.D., Ph.D. (CPC), and colleagues summarize published follow-up protocols and discuss current and future developments to personalize follow-up for patients with testicular germ cell tumors in an article in European Urology Open Science.
  • Attaya Suvannasankha, M.D. (HHM), and colleagues recently published findings on the efficacy and safety of a BCMA-targeting CAR-T therapy in patients with progressive multiple myeloma in the journal Blood.