With a record 173 abstracts, the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Cancer Research Day, held May 8, highlighted some of the best cancer research being conducted by students, fellows and faculty from Indiana University-Indianapolis, Indiana University-Bloomington, Purdue University, and the Harper Cancer Research Institute — a collaboration between IU School of Medicine-South Bend and the University of Notre Dame.
Cancer center Director Kelvin Lee, MD, is among the signees of an Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) letter to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya. The letter expresses concerns about the policy change proposed by the NIH to move all grant reviews to the Center for Scientific Review beginning in January 2026. Read the letter.
Anita Turk, MD (EDT), has been named medical director of the Clinical Trials Office. In this role, Turk is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all activities of the Adult Clinical Trials Office.
Eric Vachon, PhD (CDC), has been named assistant director of inclusive excellence. Vachon will work to further the cancer center’s goal of advancing a culture of inclusive excellence by designing sustainable programming and initiatives that align with the center’s mission and vision.
Tim Lautenschlaeger, MD (EDT), has been named the inaugural director of research for cancer screening at IU Health. In this role, he is responsible for developing the next generation of cancer screening solutions and improving access to cancer screening. As previously reported, he was recently named associate director for clinical research at the cancer center.
Burger Bash returns to kick off Indy 500 race week to benefit IU cancer research.
This free, outdoor event will be 5:30-8 p.m. Monday, May 19, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, outside Gate 1. NTT INDYCAR SERIES.com's Curt Cavin and INDYCAR on FOX's Kevin Lee will preview the race. The event will also feature Indy500 drivers.
Additionally, now through May 31, 20% of proceeds from select ClusterTruck burgers will be donated back to cancer research at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. Visit ClusterTruck’s website for more information.
End Lung Cancer Now, an initiative of the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the IU Health mobile lung screening unit will be part of this year’s Indy 500 Festival Parade on Saturday, May 24, in downtown Indianapolis.
The End Lung Cancer Now team and volunteers will be spreading the word about their efforts to save lives through early detection and lung cancer prevention to thousands of parade-goers and a televised audience. For those unable to attend the parade, it will air at noon on WTHR, Channel 13.
To enhance support for researchers, IU Research recently launched Research Development Services. The new Research Development Services team, led by Jen Lawrence, can help with all stages of the proposal process, from early project ideation and collaborator identification to finalizing and uploading proposal documents for routing to the Office for Research Administration for submission. The service provides this support for proposals to government, corporate and foundation funders. Learn more.
Registration is now open to walk with the IU School of Medicine and IU Health in the Indy Pride Parade on Saturday, June 14. Parade participants are invited to celebrate visibility, allyship, and belonging. Participants must register by May 18 to guarantee a free IU School of Medicine Pride T-shirt. Faculty, staff, learners, and their loved ones are all welcome to join. Join the parade.
Arpan Prabhu, MD (CPC), is the co-editor of the second edition of “The Evolution of Health Literacy: Empowering Patients Through Improved Education,” published by Nova Science Publishers. This comprehensive volume delves into the critical role of health literacy and its impact on healthcare outcomes. Learn more.
Asmaa El-Kenawi, PhD (TMM), received the Outstanding Graduate Scholar Award from the American Urological Association. Presented during the association’s annual meeting, this national honor recognizes her impactful research in prostate cancer. Learn more.
