News briefs | Nov. 2023

Ryli Justice, Anaiya Crowner, Ian Green and Keely Smith

Meet the Diversity in Cancer Research Post-Baccalaureate Program cohort

The first cohort of the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center American Cancer Society Post-Baccalaureate Diversity in Cancer Research Education Program (IADEP) began this fall. This two-year research program is for post-baccalaureate students of underrepresented backgrounds or disadvantaged populations who hope to pursue clinical or research careers in cancer.

Meet the IADEP students.

2023 Hester Scholarship awardees announced

Sarah Gutch and Emily White have been named the 2023 Hester Scholarship awardees. Gutch is conducting research in the lab of Maegan Capitano, Ph.D., and White joined the lab of Wade Clapp, M.D., with mentor Steven Rhodes, M.D., Ph.D.

Learn more about this year’s awardees.

Indiana Women’s Running Festival: Get a MOVE on Cancer 1-Mile Walk

Tarah Ballinger, M.D. (far left), poses for a photo with Indiana Women’s Running Festival participants and MOVE program supporters.

The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and IU Health were proud presenting sponsors of the Indiana Women’s Running Festival’s inaugural Get a MOVE on Cancer 1-Mile Walk. More than 800 women from 24 states participated in the festival, which included the Indiana Women’s Half Marathon, Women’s 4-Miler, Women’s 5K, and Get a MOVE on Cancer 1-Mile Walk. More than 100 race participants supported two cancer-related causes, including the Multidisciplinary Oncology Vitality and Exercise (MOVE) Program at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Light the Night team raises more than $10K

Members of the cancer center’s Light the Night team gathered for a photo.

The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, IU School of Medicine Division of Hematology/Oncology, and IU Health partnered with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night as a 2023 sponsor and proud corporate team. Rita Assi, M.D., led the IU Light the Night team on Oct. 12, which raised more than $10,000 for research, advocacy and support for blood cancer patients and their families.

COE connects with the community at Outrun the Sun

Members of the “IU Simon: Research Cures Cancer” team paused for a photo while enjoying the Outrun the Sun Against Melanoma 5K race.

The cancer center was the Melanoma Heroes Recognition Sponsor at this year's Outrun the Sun Race Against Melanoma. In addition to having a team at the evening event on Sept. 30, our Office of Community Outreach and Engagement and Ted Logan, M.D., participated. The “IU Simon: Research Cures Cancer” team staffed the sponsorship booth and participated in the 5K race and post-race one-mile walk. The team of 35 people included faculty, staff, family and friends.

Upcoming events

Native American and Indigenous Peoples Month

As part of Native American and Indigenous Peoples Month, Dr. Naomi Lee will present “The More You Know: HPV and Cervical Cancer in Native American Communities” at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, in Walther Hall, room 303/305. Lee is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Northern Arizona University and an affiliate faculty member of the NIH-funded Southwest Health Equity Research Collaborative.

Learn more.

Member headlines and highlights

Natalia Rodriguez, Ph.D. (CPC), was selected as a 2023 National Institutes of Health Director’s New Innovator Award recipient. The $2.3 million NIH Director’s New Innovator Award will fund Rodriguez’s research over five years. Read the news release.

Nawal Kassem, M.D. (CPC), talks about breast cancer screening and prevention in an IUSM blog post, “Mutations, mammograms and MRIs, oh my! How I took charge of my breast health with increased screenings, and when you should do the same.”

Several cancer center members, including Lawrence Einhorn, M.D. (EDT), Clinton Cary, M.D. (CPC), Ph.D., Shelley Johns, PsyD (CPC), Timothy Masterson, M.D., and Nabil Adra, M.D. (EDT), spoke at the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation’s Testicular Cancer Conference held Oct. 27-28 on the IUSM campus.