Past Stories
2023 Learn About Cancer Day
In February, we hosted around 100 local high school students to help them learn more about cancer research and cancer-related careers. Following an introduction to cancer presentation by John Tentler, PhD, students identified cancer-relevant genes during a DNA microarray lab hosted by the CRTEC office, participated in a simulated cancer-focused clinical trial designed and facilitated by Meredith Tennis, PhD, toured multiple cancer-research laboratories as well as shared resources facilities, and learned about cancer-related careers during a lunchtime career panel visit. It was a day filled with educational opportunities for students to connect their science understanding to relevant, cutting-edge science occurring right here at the CU Cancer Center.
American Cancer Society Clinician Scientist Development Grant Awarded to Amanda Winters, MD, PhD
Dr. Amanda Winters, Assistant Professor for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT with the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital Colorado, was awarded the ACS Clinician Scientist Development Grant, a 3-year career development award, for her project titled: "Preclinical Validation of Personalized Molecular Assays for Measurable Residual Disease Monitoring in Pediatric AML."
Cancer Center Research Rangers
The C2R2 Cancer Center Research Rangers program is an exploratory program for local middle school students to come to the CU Anschutz Campus to learn more about cancer research and the biomedical sciences through interactive programming and laboratory investigations. In addition, our programming includes important education related to cancer prevention and screening and the harmful effects of tobacco use.
Cancer Center Student Symposium (C2S2)
The kick off of the Cancer Center Student Symposium (C2S2) was a huge success as Cancer Center Director, Dr. Richard Schulick, presented on cancer, cancer careers, his path and commitment to fighting cancer, and the importance of finding a mentor to nearly 50 Colorado high school students. C2S2 was created by the CRTEC office to connect the CU - Cancer Center with Colorado high school students and teachers through a monthly virtual symposium on cancer-focused topics. Want to learn more or register to attend?
Competitive Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research Grant Awarded to Eman Elsabbagh
Eman Elsabbagh, MD, MSc, is a Pediatric Hem/Onc Fellow, Center of Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s Hospital Colorado, on the AMC. She was recently awarded a highly competitive grant from the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research to develop a “Universal T-Cell Receptor (TCR) Targeting Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia”. She will be working in the lab of Eduardo Davila.
CU Science Discovery Summer Research and Summer Camps Come to Anschutz Medical Campus
This summer, high school students in grades 10-12 can partner with CU Anschutz faculty and graduate students to gain real-world laboratory experience through the CU Science Discovery Research Program while students in grades 7-9 can spend two weeks participating in a variety of hand-on STEM experiences as part of the CU Science Discovery Summer Camp. Registration is limited, sign up soon.
Diversity in Cancer Research Program Hosts Undergraduate Students for Hands-On Experience at CU Cancer Center
The 10-week American Cancer Society (ACS) Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR) internship program at the University of Colorado Cancer Center wrapped up in July. DICR is an ACS program that aims to support students from traditionally underrepresented minorities in cancer research and mentorship. CU Cancer Center members Jennifer Richer, PhD, professor of pathology in the CU School of Medicine, and John Tentler, PhD, associate professor of medical oncology, are co-leaders on the grant.
Learn About Cancer Day Returns to CU Cancer Center
On April 22, more than 50 biomedical science students from Denver-area high schools came to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus to tour the cancer research laboratories, learn about cancer from our world renowned cancer scientists, and explore the paths they can take towards a career in the biomedical sciences.
New CC2STEM Program Awarded the CU-President’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Award
In collaboration with the CU-AMC student chapter of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native American Scientists (SACNAS), CRTEC was awarded a CU-President’s DEI award to fund a pilot of the CC2STEM program which will offer a summer mentoring and research training experience to local community college students interested in investigating a future career in the biomedical sciences. The program is led-by Katia Nino, a graduate student Dr. Eric Pietras’ Lab, with administrative support and mentorship from CRTEC leaders and will begin in the summer of 2023. After the pilot year, CRTEC will seek external funding to continue and expand the program.
Oncology Summer Internship
Recently, three second year University of Colorado School of Medicine students, Chiagoziem (Chi) Anigbogu, Luis Barrientos and Theresa Tafoya, presented their CU Oncology Summer Internship (OSI) research projects to a panel at the CU Cancer Center. The 6-week CU Oncology Summer Internship (OSI) at the CU Cancer Center, is an immersive, paid summer internship for rising second year medical students from populations underrepresented in medicine (UIM). The internship features shadowing, education, networking and mentoring experiences designed to help students explore their interests in oncology, patient care and careers as an oncologist. Based on the success of this internship we plan to expand the program to include more students next year and going forward.
PIKE-PREP Supports Scholars
The newly established PREP program aims to help prepare participants for admission to MD/PhD or PhD programs. Xander Bradeen, pictured along with his research mentor Dr. Eduardo Davila, is a member of the first cohort in the Preparation in Interdisciplinary Knowledge to Excel - Post Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PIKE-PREP) which offers a multi-dimensional mentoring and research training experience for post-baccalaureate students from underrepresented communities.
Applications for the 2023-2024 cohort are open until March 30th, 2023.
St. Baldrick’s Foundation Grant Recipient
Congratulations to Dr. Eman Elsabbagh, MD, MSc. Dr. Elsabbagh is a Pediatric Hem/Onc Fellow in the Center of Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s Hospital Colorado, on the AMC. She is the recipient of the highly competitive St. Baldrick's Foundation Grant to develop a “Universal T-Cell Receptor (TCR) Targeting Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia”. St. Baldrick’s Foundation funds promising research aimed at treating childhood cancers globally. She is mentored by Dr. Eduardo Davila in Med-Onc.