September 16, 2011

Announcements

NCI Announces Provocative Questions Project  

The Provocative Questions Project, which many of you have heard much about, is now seeking applications from researchers eager to influence the state of cancer research by tackling potentially game-changing scientific questions that could drive progress against cancer.  Grant awards will support research projects related to the list of the 24 Provocative Questions using sound and innovative research strategies to solve specific problems and paradoxes in cancer research.  I am certain that several of our members are well positioned to answer these.  If the cancer center can offer any help in preparing your application please let us know.  I look forward to working with you in this crucial endeavor.

The deadline for Letters of Intent is October 14.
The deadline for Applications is November 14. 

Application Information >>

Closer to Free Ride a Success

Thank you for the support of our first annual Closer to Free Ride by riding, volunteering, or making a donation to support our teams. It was an outstanding day with over 250 riders and 300 volunteers. So far, the event has raised over $350,000 and donations will continue to be accepted until the end of the month. I'm encouraged by the strong start and look forward to expanding the event in 2012!

Yale Cancer Center Announces Annual Awards

Yale Cancer Center is pleased to announce five annual awards in the areas of excellence in research, clinical care, and education.  Each award will be announced at the Yale Cancer Center Conclave on Monday, November 21, 2011. The nomination deadline for all five awards is Friday, October 21, 2011.

Yale Cancer Center Research Prize:  This award is in support of excellence in the areas of basic science, translational research, clinical research, cancer prevention and control, epidemiological research, or case review.  It will be awarded to the Cancer Center investigator whose paper is considered to have had the greatest impact on their field this year.

Applicant must be a current member of the Cancer Center. The science in the publication must be cancer focused. Please submit a PDF of your best publication (publication date from October 2010 to Sept 2011). To be eligible you must be either the first or last author of the publication. Email your publication to Laura Olson

Yale Cancer Center Award for Clinical Excellence:  This award will be given to the physician who best exemplifies excellence in clinical care including superb clinical skills, use of a patient and family centered approach to care, and inclusion of a multi-disciplinary care model.

Nominee must be a current member of Yale Cancer Center. Please nominate yourself or a peer and send brief nomination letter (one page maximum) to

Yale Cancer Center Lifetime Achievement Award:

Yale Cancer Center recognizes the achievements of one of our senior members through our annual Lifetime Achievement award.  Please send nomination suggestions for the award to Dan DiMaio. 

The David S. Fischer, MD Annual Awards for Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring:

Each year one member of both the medical oncology faculty and hematology faculty will be recognized for their outstanding teaching and mentoring of fellows. All fellows are encouraged to nominate an attending faculty member by emailing a letter of nomination to Renee Gaudette. 

Yale Cancer Center Oncology Series: Hematology

Please join us for our fourth session in the Yale Cancer Center Oncology CME Series, focused on Hematological Malignancies, on Thursday, September 22 at 5:00 PM in Smilow Cancer Hospital.

Register Now >>

Notables  

Kathy Antos

will be joining the Yale Cancer Center Administration Team as our new Assistant Administrator as of October 1st.  Kathy has held several positions within Yale Cancer Center and Yale School of Medicine and most recently worked in our Clinical Trials Office. She will be responsible for the oversight of our academic administrative team as well as overseeing operational issues for the Cancer Center, Medical Oncology, and Hematology.

Nina Carusillo, PA

, a member of the Gynecologic Oncology Program, is one of the five finalists for Schwartz Center Compassionate Caregiver Award.

Meena S. Moran, MD

Associate Professor in the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, was recently asked to join the newly structured editorial team of The International Journal of Radiation Therapy, Biology, Physics (the official journal of ASTRO) as Associate Breast Editor.  Dr. Moran brings to this role her experience also serving on the editorial board of the Journal of Clinical Oncology and The Breast Journal.

Employee Profile:

Laura Miller

Before coming to Yale, Laura Miller worked as an EMT, but soon found she wanted to deal with patients on a more personal level, and be there to help guide them through a difficult time. In October of 2010, Laura was hired as a Clinical Secretary and Intake Specialist for the Endocrine Cancers Program at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital. She deals primarily with patients to ensure everything is taken care of before and after their appointment.  

The Endocrine Cancers Program offers evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of tumors of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and pancreas. It is one of the largest multidisciplinary endocrine cancer programs in the country and cares for over 1,000 patients each year. Laura deals directly with Drs. Elizabeth Holt and Dr. Silvio Inzucchi, both members of the Endocrine Program. Her main goal is to make sure that all patient questions are answered and that everything is ready to go in the clinic when the Drs. see a patient. She pulls charts, juggles appointments, and makes sure everyone is alerted if there is an issue with scheduling, or a patient concern.

"We pride ourselves on being a clinic that, for the most part, runs exactly on time. Every once in awhile something does come up, but I am happy to say that most of our patients are seen on time and have nothing to worry about except focusing on their appointment," said Laura.

Communication is a big part of what Laura does on a daily basis; whether it is communicating with Drs. Holt and Inzucchi, or with patients. If the doctors need to take time off for a meeting, etc., Laura handles their schedules so that patients are not inconvenienced. Laura explained that she is lucky to work with two outstanding physicians that are willing to teach her and explain things when confronted with a more complex case.

"I am happy with my career and enjoy coming to work every day. The reward is in knowing that the patients are taken care of and that I can alleviate at least some of their worries. They are dealing with a diagnosis of cancer and other ailments and we want to make their appointments as easy as possible," explained Laura.

Michelle Wilson commented that YCC is extremely lucky to have Laura supporting the Endocrine Cancers Program because she is focused on providing an excellent patient experience during every interaction.  "She is extremely organized and can be counted on to do the right thing, the right way, the first time.  This ensures that patient and provider needs are addressed proactively to ensure a meaningful and satisfactory office visit."

"There's a mutual understanding and respect felt here in the clinic areas," said Laura. "Everyone has the same goal, to care for patients to the best of their ability, no matter what their role. It is humbling to be recognized for a job well done because I try to do my best every day, just like everyone else."

The Employee Profile section is a new segment of DirectConnect included to recognize the diverse contributions made by Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital staff have to meet our patient care, research, education, and outreach goals. Each issue will highlight a staff member, giving us the opportunity to learn about the people in our Cancer Center's community and how they contribute to our mission. The staff profiled are examples of the great work being done here, and the dedication and values we possess. To suggest someone to be profiled, please contact
Emily Fenton.  

Funding and Award Opportunities

American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant for New Investigators

Yale Cancer Center is pleased to announce a competition for grants for Yale Assistant Professors. The awards are to support innovative work in the broad field of basic, translational, clinical, and prevention/control cancer research by new investigators. These grants are restricted to investigators who have not already received federal research grant support or a previous ACS-IRG award. One-year grants will provide up to $30,000 for each award. YCCC members and non-members are encouraged to apply.

Application materials may be obtained by email from Jan Zulkeski, and applications must be submitted by 4:00 PM on Thursday, October 13, 2011. Funding will begin on December 1, 2011.

Women's Health Research at Yale 2012 Pilot Project Funding  

Projects are solicited that: 

• examine behavioral and social factors affecting women's health
• represent a new direction in women's health research
• expand existing health research to include study of sex/gender differences
• use an interdisciplinary perspective

Application Deadline: October 17, 2011

Learn More >>

The

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The Prize recipient will be honored at a formal dinner and award ceremony and will also receive a $25,000 cash prize.

Application Deadline: September 30, 2011

Association for International Cancer Research Grants

The sponsor's aim is to support fundamental research into the causes, mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer. The emphasis is on basic, as opposed to clinical research.

Application Deadline: October 28, 2011

Learn More >>

Women in Cancer Research Scholar Awards

These awards are given annually to members of Women in Cancer Research who are scientists-in-training and presenters of meritorious scientific papers at this AACR Annual Meeting.

Application Deadline: November 15, 2011

Learn More >>

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PCAN)

PCAN Innovative Grants provide support for creative and cutting edge ideas or approaches, including those successful in other areas of cancer with promise for pancreatic cancer.  

PCAN Career Development Awards provide support for newly independent investigators to develop or strengthen a research program in pancreatic cancer.

PCAN Pathway to Leadership Grants provide support for highly promising early career scientists in their mentored research phase and in the transition to research independence.

Application Deadline: October 31, 2011

Learn More >>