The day-long event brought together graduate students and postdoctoral research associates to share their work with peers and faculty, and to hear valuable career advice from former postdoctoral fellows.
The event kicked off with two keynote talks presented by honored alumni:
- Elizabeth Wayne, PhD, MS, assistant professor at the University of Washington, spoke on “Building a Career You’re Proud of: Keys to being a Scientist and Public Scholar.”
- Nate Woodard, PhD, MPH, assistant professor at the University at Buffalo, discussed “Plotting Your Path Forward: Transitioning from Postdoc to Faculty.”
Moving into the day’s oral presentations and poster exhibition, current graduate students and postdoctoral trainees at UNC Lineberger shared research findings across three main study areas: Basic Science, Clinical or Translational Research, and Population Science.
In total, 19 oral presenters and approximately 50 posters were featured at this year’s trainee celebration.
Beyond laboratory science, a portion of the day’s presentations also focused on the role of research in the community. Patty Spears, BS, FASCO, a patient advocate and research manager for Patient Advocates for Research Council (PARC), led a session on advocacy inclusion in research. Attendees also learned about the North Carolina Cancer Health Assets and Needs Assessment (CHANA) from Katie E. Johnson, MPH, evaluation coordinator with the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement at UNC Lineberger. CHANA helps researchers and communities better understand health needs across North Carolina.
This year’s event also included two career-focused breakout sessions to help trainees build essential skills specific to their profession:
- Tailoring Your Science Story (Session A): This breakout session focused on foundational job skills as a cancer scientist, covering how to write a strong resume, deliver an “elevator pitch” and develop a long-term research agenda.
- Grant Writing (Session B): In-depth discussions in this breakout session covered topics on available funding paths and grant writing differences across academia and the healthcare industry.
Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD, executive director of UNC Lineberger, welcomed attendees to the 50th annual event. He congratulated the trainees and celebrated the center’s long history of training the next generation of researchers.
Sponsorship and Planning
This event was sponsored by UNC Lineberger’s Cancer Research Training & Education Coordination (CRTEC) program.
The meeting’s agenda was formed collaboratively between predoctoral and postdoctoral members, the CRTEC team and faculty advisors (as part of this year’s Planning Committee):
- Pre- and Postdoctoral Committee Members: Nicole Caston, PhD, MPH; Alyssa Cozzo, MD, PhD; Mallory Ellingson, PhD; Kristin Gilley, MPH; William Green, PhD; Alyssa Holden, BS; Travis Nelson, PhD; Michael Sturdivant, BS; and Marta Overchuk, PhD.
- CRTEC Team and Faculty Advisors: Claire Dees, MD, ScM; Lisa Meadows, BS; Becca Moss, MIS; Julie Trollinger, MHA; and Bernard E. Weissman, PhD.
Award Winners
The event ended with a ceremony for the top oral and poster presentation winners. Each recipient was awarded a $100 prize.
Oral Presentation Awards
Basic Science
Dalia Fleifel, PhD
MYC Breaks the Brakes: Reprogramming DNA replication origin Licensing in G1 phase
Clinical or Translational Research
Sandra Zarmer, PhD Candidate
Identifying vulnerabilities in basal-like pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
Population Science
Lirui Jiao, MPH
Socioeconomic determinants of second opinion-seeking for breast cancer patients – Evidence from All of Us
People’s Choice Poster Session Awards
Basic Science
Mariaelena Nabors
Cingulin plays a role in PDAC organoid polarity and subtype
Clinical or Translational Research
Emily Kounlavong
Stroma Speaks: CAF Heterogeneity as a Biomarker of Therapy Response in Bladder Cancer
Population Science
Brianna Taffe, MPH
Understanding Black Breast Cancer Survivors Experiences with Fear of Cancer Recurrence: A Qualitative Study