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2024 DCB R15 Investigator Workshop

NCI Division of Cancer Biology R15 Investigator Workshop (June 26 - 28, 2024) banner with the image of a person giving a presentation with a flip chart at a meeting with a group.

DCB hosted an R15 Investigator Workshop on June 26-28, 2024.

The goal of the workshop was to provide a focused, unique, and interactive platform for NIH Research Enhancement Award (R15) investigators supported by DCB to showcase their ongoing research, as well as exchange and explore new ideas. R15 grantees also shared mentorship skills, teaching experiences and outreach activities, including how to promote equity and diversity.

NCI staff presented talks at sessions focusing on professional development, including topics such as the NIH grant process, the peer review process, funding opportunities, and research resources at NCI.

Documents from the Workshop

Recordings from the Workshop

Introduction and Keynote Remarks from the NCI Director

  • Welcoming remarks - Drs. Ruibai Luo and Brunilde Gril (NCI)
  • Introduction to the meeting - Dr. Dan Gallahan (NCI)
  • Keynote remarks from the NCI Director - Dr. Kimryn Rathmell (NCI)

Session I: How doe the R15 help build your career?

  • Impact of an R15  research grant - Dr. Shailja Pathania (University of Massachusetts-Boston)
  • In support of viral oncology research - Dr. Robert Harrod (Southern Methodist University)
  • How the R15 impacted my career - Dr. Maria Diakonova (University of Toledo)
  • The science of R15 success - Dr. Gerard Madlambayan (Oakland University)
  • Panel Q&A

NIH Staff Session I

  • Introduction to the NIH grants system and DCB - Dr. Christine Nadeau (NCI)
  • The role of the PD-PI conversation - Yvonne Duglas-Tabor (NCI)
  • Overview of funding opportunities - Dr. Eric Johnson Chavarria (NCI)
  • Post-award administration (funding) of your NCI grant - Mallory Shramek (NCI)
  • Panel Discussion with Q&A

Scientific Presentations Session I

  • Chemokine heterodimers in chemokine biology - Dr. Irina Nesmelova (University of North Carolina at Charlotte)
  • The oncogenic role of TBX2 in rhabdomyosarcoma - Dr. Judith Davie (Southern Illinois University School of Medicine) 
  • Improving VSV as an oncolytic agent by addressing tumor resistance mechanisms - Dr. Maureen Ferran (Rochester Institute of Technology)
  • Oncostatin M (OSM) and estrogen receptor (ER) status in metastatic breast cancer - Dr. Cheryl Jorcyk (Boise State University)

Scientific Presentations Session II

  • HPV oncogenes dysregulate translesion synthesis - Dr. Nicholas Wallace (Kansas State University)
  • Mechanistic insight into tumor-associated MUC1 glycopeptides binding to macrophage galactose type lectin - Dr. Mare Cudic (Florida Atlantic University)
  • Sex differences and roles of estrogen in colorectal cancer development in obesity - Dr. Haifei Shi (Miami University)

NIH and NCI Activities Promoting Equity and Inclusion

  • NCI's Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and anti-Harassment - Dr. Shannon Hughes (NCI)

Session II: Mentoring

  • Keynote: Mentoring young investigators - Dr. Juan Andres Melendez (SUNY Polytechnic Institute)
  • Panel Discussion: Mentoring, Outreach, and REAP - Drs. Chongwoo Kim (Midwestern University), Cory Brooks (California State University), Yan Zhu (St. John's University), and Andrew Steckl (University of Cincinnati) 

NIH Staff Session II

  • The review process - Dr. Jessica Smith (Center for Scientific Review)
  • DCB/NCI research resources - Dr. Stefan Maas (NCI)
  • NCI Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD): Diversity Supplements - Dr. Chantel Fuqua (NCI)
  • NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy Overview - Soumya Korrapati (NCI)
  • Panel Discussion with Q&A

NIH Staff Presentation Slides

NCI Director's Keynote Presentation

NIH Staff Session I

NCI and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

NIH Staff Session II

Social media posts related to the meeting can be found using #R15Workshop

R15 Workshop Planning Committee

DCB Contacts for the Workshop

For additional information about the DCB R15 Investigator Workshop, please contact Ruibai Luo or Brunilde Gril.

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