UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

At UNC Lineberger and the North Carolina Basnight Cancer Hospital, we are constantly reminded of the extraordinary dedication and compassion of our faculty and staff. After Hurricane Helene, Annabella Cole, an oncology patient navigator, who grew up in Avery County, felt a deep responsibility to support her community. Drawing on her training as a Child Life Specialist, she focused on helping children impacted by the storm. With the help of her colleagues and community members, Annabella created and delivered 150 coping kits to children in the area. She also conducted Heartmath training with local EMS and guidance counselors, equipping them with tools to promote emotional resilience. We are so grateful for Annabella’s leadership and for every member of our team who goes above and beyond to care for others. Your dedication makes a difference every day. ??

UNC Lineberger's executive director Robert Ferris MD, PhD, sat down with the Triangle Business Journal to discuss his plans for making cutting-edge cancer therapies more accessible.

This past Sunday, we were thrilled to see our very own Robert Ferris, MD, PhD, UNC Lineberger's executive director and system chief of oncology services at UNC Health take center stage at the Carolina Hurricanes’ Hockey Fights Cancer Night as the honorary Siren Sounder! This special game is dedicated to raising awareness and showing support for those impacted by cancer. UNC Lineberger's H.J. Kim, MD, was honored as the Hero of the Game for his commitment to cancer care and research. We’re proud to stand alongside the Canes and our community in the fight against cancer. Together, we’re making strides toward a future without this disease.

The annual UNC Lineberger Trainee Research Day provided graduate students and postdoctoral research associates with the opportunity to present their research to peers and cancer center faculty.

Brian C. Miller, MD, PhD, was named a 2024 V Foundation V Scholar. The honor will support his research focused on making cancer immunotherapy more effective.

Congratulations to Allison?Deal, MS, a senior biostatistician at UNC Lineberger! She was presented with the?Outstanding Poster Award at the?International Society for Quality of Life Research annual conference in Cologne, Germany.?Her research investigated whether electronic symptom monitoring worked better for certain subgroups of people with metastatic cancer.

?? Job alert! We are seeking a highly motivated and organized lab manager to join the lab of Robert Ferris, MD, PhD, UNC Lineberger's new executive director. This lab investigates mechanisms of anti-tumor immunity in the microenvironment, as well as immune escape mechanisms developed by tumor cells to evade NK and T cells elimination. The lab also studies immune checkpoint receptors and cellular immune mechanisms of anti-tumor responses and immunotherapy in phase I and phase II clinical trials, as well as correlative studies of immune markers in the serum and tumor microenvironment.

UNC Lineberger’s Jake Stein, MD, MPH, Marjory Charlot, MD, MPH, MSc, and colleagues authored a paper evaluating challenges in the delivery of precision oncology in advanced lung cancer.

Patty Spears, BS, FASCO, is a research manager at UNC Lineberger providing scientific leadership and guidance to advance translational trials and data management for breast cancer research trials. She also leads several advocacy initiatives at UNC Lineberger. Here's a few minutes with Patty.

The UNC AYA Cancer Program is playing a key role in expanding the quality of care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients as part of a nationwide effort. This initiative aims to improve outcomes and ensure that young cancer patients receive the specialized support they need. “Our focus is on delivering care that meets the unique medical and emotional needs of young patients,” said UNC Lineberger's Jake Stein, MD, MPH, in a blog post for the National Cancer Institute. “By expanding these programs, we can truly make a difference in the lives of those navigating cancer at such a critical time in their lives.”