UF Health Cancer Center Cancer Training and Education Program

“My experience in the TICaRT program has opened my eyes to the potential of collaborative research, and I now view it as an integral part of my future work. The skills and insights I’ve gained in the TICaRT program will undoubtedly shape my approach to research, leading me to seek more partnerships and interdisciplinary projects in cancer research moving forward,” said Jeremy Ducharme, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the UF Department of Physical Therapy who studies cancer-related muscle pathology. Jeremy is completing his second year in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) T32 grant-funded TICaRT program (PI, Dietmar Siemann, Ph.D., associate director for education and training at the UF Health Cancer Center). He has been working with Madison (Maddy) Carelock, a predoctoral fellow in the cancer biology concentration of the UF Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences. Together, they are studying a method to clear senescent cells to reverse therapy-induced cachexia. ? “One of the most valuable skills I gained was effective communication within a team setting,” said Ducharme, who is mentored by Andy Judge, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and a faculty leader of TICaRT. “I learned how to articulate my ideas clearly while also being receptive to feedback. Additionally, understanding the importance of aligning goals and expectations among collaborators was a critical concept that I will carry forward in my research endeavors.” ? Applications are now open for the next cohort of the TICaRT program! This program provides an outstanding opportunity for pre- and postdoctoral trainees to develop interdisciplinary skills in cancer research and gain experience with transdisciplinary approaches. Learn more and apply:?https://lnkd.in/ekDz3vgr

Congratulations to Caretia Washington, a University of Florida M.D.-Ph.D. student, who has been selected for the American Society of Preventive Oncology’s New Investigator opportunity! She is one of only 12 new investigators nationwide to be selected for the award, which provides a travel discount to the society's annual meeting and includes a pre-conference workshop. Under the mentorship of?Dr. Dejana Braithwaite, associate director for population sciences at the UF Health Cancer Center, Washington's research focuses on lung cancer screening use and outcomes among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with the goal of advancing personalized cancer screening and care. Read the full story to learn more: https://go.ufl.edu/jyl2mbm #UFHealthCancerCenter #UFCancerTraining #CancerResearch #LungCancer

UF pre- and post-doctoral trainees: Apply by April 15 to this Team-based Interdisciplinary Cancer Research Training Program. Faculty member Stephanie Staras works with this two-year program.

Meet Gabriela Hery, a student in the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Medical Sciences Ph.D. program! Hery has been able to combine her love of animals with her passion for research to deepen the understanding of cancer biology in both canines and pediatric osteosarcoma. Her experience has taught her that researchers have great power to drive innovation, and she hopes to continue to tackle complex problems as she advances in her career. There are a variety of Ph.D. programs at the University of Florida, and each trainee has a unique and personal story in their journey through academia. In a recent interview with us, Hery shared about her educational pathway, current research, and more. Read her full profile: https://go.ufl.edu/ufy4p15 #UFHealthCancerCenter #UFCancerTraining #CancerResearch

“Through my participation in TICaRT, I have experienced the benefit of bringing together different expertise to spark innovation that would not be achievable in isolation,” said Sarah McMahon, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology who studies epigenetic regulation of Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus latency. ? McMahon is completing her second year in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) T32 grant-funded TICaRT program (PI, Dietmar Siemann, Ph.D., associate director for education and training at the UF Health Cancer Center). She has been working with Alexis Smith, a predoctoral fellow in the UF Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate program. Together, they’re studying how novel small molecules called PROTACs can target Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus latency. ? “TICaRT has been invaluable for learning to facilitate an effective collaborative research project,” said McMahon, who is mentored by Rolf Renne, Ph.D., associate director for basic sciences at the UF Health Cancer Center. “I’ve learned that clear communication is critical and the ability to understand and adapt to challenges is essential for creating a productive and successful collaborative team. Also, through informative seminars and coursework, I’ve gained insights on the dynamics of teamwork and the value of integrative research that will be beneficial in my future research endeavors.” ? Applications are now open for the next cohort of the TICaRT program! This program provides an outstanding opportunity for pre- and postdoctoral UF trainees to develop interdisciplinary skills in cancer research and gain experience with transdisciplinary approaches. Learn more and apply:?https://lnkd.in/ekDz3vgr

Time has flown by, and I realized I never got the chance to share this update—so here it is! (Better late than never!!) Two months ago, I officially completed my fellowship with Congressman Darren Soto’s (D-FL-09) office as part of the UF Health Cancer Center Cancer Policy Internship Program. During my time there, I had the opportunity to pursue initiatives I never thought possible, including drafting legislation, meeting seasoned activists, learning the ins and outs of the legislative branch, meeting a plethora of high-profile politicians, experiencing professional life in D.C., and making lifelong friends. With that, I also officially completed my Master of Public Health (MPH) in December, along with my master’s thesis/capstone project, “Uninsured in Childhood: A Systematic Review of Long-Term Health Outcomes, Ethical Dilemmas, and Policy Pathways Addressing Neglect and Protecting Vulnerable Youth.” This project allowed me to explore critical gaps in healthcare access and policy solutions to protect vulnerable populations. A huge thank you to Dr. Young-Rock Hong for your guidance as my faculty advisor on this project and throughout my entire MPH journey. As someone whose career has been primarily defined by health administration, having the chance to take on this policy-focused opportunity completely changed the way I view healthcare. It has pushed me to pursue opportunities I never would have had the confidence to chase before. This experience strengthened my passion for expanding health access, advancing comprehensive health insurance reform, and codifying protections for women’s reproductive healthcare, while reinforcing my commitment to driving meaningful change in the field. Since wrapping up in December, I’ve been focused on my next career steps, actively exploring opportunities in health administration and policy. I’m incredibly grateful to the UF Health Cancer Center Cancer Training and Education Program and Congressman Soto's office for this opportunity and all that I learned along the way! I’ll never be able to thank everyone, but to name just a few—thank you to Andrea V Valdes Valderrama, Liana A. Guerra, MBA, and Brent Marrero Pagán for your guidance as seasoned members of Team Soto, and a big thanks to my co-fellow and interns who helped make this experience unforgettable. Excited for what’s next! ?? P.S. If anyone is interested in pursuing this opportunity in the future with the UF Health Cancer Center, please feel free to reach out—I’m happy to answer any questions! #PublicHealth #MPH #HealthPolicy #LegislativeFellowship #CareerUpdate

Applications are now open for our Team-based Interdisciplinary Cancer Research Training (TICaRT) program! The program offers training opportunities for pre- and postdoctoral University of Florida trainees to develop interdisciplinary skills in cancer research and gain experience with transdisciplinary approaches. Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/ekDz3vgr

Two undergraduate researchers in our University Scholars Program had the opportunity to present their cancer research last week in Tampa at the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference hosted by USF Research & Innovation! Jeremy Kleberg presented his research, titled "Angiopoietin-like 4 as a potential therapeutic target for clear cell renal carcinoma," and Ania Kelegama presented "Blocking the oncogenic Wnt signaling pathway for cancer therapy using a novel small molecule." In addition, our amazing team of UF Health Cancer Center Ambassadors attended the conference to share information on our educational programs. To learn more about available opportunities, visit cancer.ufl.edu/education #UFHealthCancerCenter #UFCancerTraining #Education #FURC

Miranda Reid’s decision to pursue a?dual M.D.-Ph.D.?in health outcomes and implementation science in the?University of Florida College of Medicine was fueled by her passion for patient-centered care and research. Reid, who recently won a prestigious award in implementation science from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is currently focused on the sustainability of tobacco treatment programs, particularly those funded by the NCI. She conducts research in the Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics. There are a variety of Ph.D. programs at the University of Florida, and each trainee has a unique and personal story in their journey through academia. In a recent interview with us, Reid shared about her educational pathway, current research, and more. Read the story: https://go.ufl.edu/407e7ws #UFHealthCancerCenter #UFCancerTraining #CancerResearch

Are you a University of Florida undergraduate student interested in cancer research? Applications are open for our University Scholars Program! The UF Health Cancer Center's University Scholars Program provides opportunities for highly motivated and talented undergraduate students to develop skills as young scientists and explore their interest in cancer research. The program is designed to provide research experience and training in areas of basic and translational cancer research, cancer prevention, diagnostics, epidemiology, and therapeutics. Learn more and apply: https://go.ufl.edu/j5qng03 #UFHealthCancerCenter #UFCancerTraining #CancerResearch