UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Annual Scientific Retreat – Agenda 2019

Continental Breakfast / Ballroom and Foyer – Third Floor

Poster Set-up / First Floor Hallway
All posters must be set up by 11:00 am
Removal will be from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Session I: Development of Novel Therapeutics: From Mouse to Man / Auditorium – First Floor

Session Co-Chairs:

Kara Bernstein, PhD
Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

Timothy Burns, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology

Trial 1

9:30 am – 9:45 am
ATR Kinase Inhibition Suppresses Immune Checkpoint Activation Following Radiation
Frank Vendetti, PhD
Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Radiation Oncology

9:45 am – 10:00 am
ATR Inhibitors in the Clinic (Phase I Trial of VX-970 with Irinotecan)
Liza Villaruz, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology

10:00 am – 10:10 am
Patient Presentation

10:10 am – 10:20 am
Trial 1 Q&A

Trial 2

10:20 am – 10:35 am
Development of Autophagy and Checkpoint inhibitors in combination with Gemcitabine plus Abraxane
Herbert Zeh, III, MD, FACS
Professor, Watson Family Chair in Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology

10:35 am – 10:50 am
Clinical Experience with Gemcitabine plus Abraxane and HCQ and Current Plans
Nathan Bahary, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of
Hematology/Oncology

10:50 am – 11:00 am
Trial 2 Q&A

Lunch / Ballroom and Foyer – Third Floor

Ronald B. Herberman Lectureship Keynote Address /
Auditorium – First Floor
Molecular Insights into Colorectal Cancer Pathogenesis
Eric R. Fearon, MD, PhD
Emanuel N. Maisel Professor of Oncology
Director, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
Professor, Departments of Internal Medicine, Pathology and Human Genetics

Session II: Shining New Light on the Fog: Advances in the Science of Neurocognitive Function Across the Disease Trajectory /
Auditorium – First Floor

Session Co-Chairs:

Heidi Donovan, PhD, RN
Professor & Vice Chair for Research: School of Nursing, Department of Health & Community Systems

Robert Ferguson, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine

3:15 pm – 3:35 pm
The Genetics of Objective Neuro-cognitive Function Pre-surgery to
Post-chemo/Aromitase Inhibitor Therapy
Yvette Conley, PhD
Professor and Vice Chair for Research: Health Promotion & Development; Professor of Human Genetics

3:35 pm – 3:55 pm
Brain Biomarkers of Cognitive and Mood Changes Related to Aromatase Inhibitor Use (K99/R00)
John Merriman, PhD, RN
Postdoctoral Scholar, School of Nursing

3:55 pm – 4:15 pm
Influence of Exercise on Neurocognitive Function in Breast Cancer (NCI-funded RCT currently in progress)
Catherine Bender, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor and Endowed Oncology Chair: School of Nursing, Department of Health & Community Systems

4:15 pm – 4:30 pm
Patient Advocate

4:30 pm – 4:45 pm
Session Q & A

Lightning Round II / Auditorium – First Floor

Deborah L. Galson, PhD
Associate Professor of Medicine, and Microbiology & Molecular Genetics; Director, Pittsburgh Center for Bone & Mineral Research

Dinner and Drinks / Ballroom and Foyer – Third Floor

Announcement of Awards / Ballroom – Third Floor

9:00 am – 9:15 am
Announcement of Poster Presentation Awards

9:15 am – 10:00 am
Announcement of Junior Scholar Awards and Presentations

Closing Remarks / Ballroom – Third Floor

Edward Chu, MD
Interim Director, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute