The 5th Annual CCF Research Symposium:
RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGHS THROUGH EARLY FUNDING was held June 2, 2021. Videos of each presentation will be made available here shortly. Symposium participants will be notified by email.
The CCF Symposium is made possible with generous support from The Kahlert Foundation
Thank you to everyone who participated in this informative and inspiring day.
Presentations to be made available:
- Eugene Hwang, M.D., Neuro-oncologist, Associate Division Chief, Oncology, Children’s National, “Clinical Neuro-oncology update”
- Will and Eileen Mumford, Graduating High School Senior treated for Craniopharyngioma and his mother/advocate, Introduction by Young Kwok, M.D., Maryland Proton Treatment Center (MPTC)
- Taylor Sundby, M.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellow, National Cancer Institute at NIH, 2020 CCF Giant Food NextGen Award Recipient “Cell-free DNA ultra-low-pass whole genome sequencing distinguishes malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) from its benign precursor lesion”
- Jeffrey Rubens, M.D., Assistant Professor of Oncology and Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins, 2017 CCF Giant Food NextGen Award Recipient “6-Diazo-5-Oxo-l-Norleucine combines with Tazemetostat to disrupt the epigenetic maintenance of a stem-cell like state in AT/RT and extends survival in mice bearing orthotopic xenograft tumors.”
- Keynote Panel: Research Breakthroughs with Early Funding
“Success stories” from area researchers that have made incredible change with small early grants from CCF, as well as offer recommendations for securing grants in today’s climate.
Moderator: Brian Rood, M.D. Director, Clinical Neuro-Oncology, Children’s National
Panelists: - Curt I. Civin, M.D., Associate Dean for Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Director, Center for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine
- Haneen Shalabi, D.O., Assistant Research Physician, Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute at NIH, 2018 CCF Giant Food NextGen Award Recipient
- Jeffrey A. Toretsky, M.D., Professor, Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics and Division Chief, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Georgetown University
- Stephan A. Grupp, M.D., Ph.D., Section Chief, Cellular Therapy and Transplant Section, Director, Cancer Immunotherapy Program, and the Medical Director, Cell and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, “Cellular therapy in practice”
- “One in a Billion,” video of Jonathan and William Erkkila’s journey, with comments from treating physician Pat Brown, M.D., Johns Hopkins, Director, Pediatric Leukemia program. Introduction by Young Kwok, M.D., MPTC
- Ilias Christodoulou, M.D., Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Johns Hopkins, “Armoring CAR-NK cells with secreted IL15 enhances anti-AML functionality”
- Ruyan Rahnama, M.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellow, Johns Hopkins, “Optimizing CAR-NK function Through Study of Affinity Modification”
- Kristin M. Wessel, M.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellow, National Cancer Institute at NIH, “Characterization of the Immune Microenvironment and Preclinical Evaluation of Genetically Engineered Myeloid Cells in a Syngeneic Murine Model of Osteosarcoma”
The 5th Annual CCF Research Symposium is generously sponsored by The Kahlert Foundation.
History of the Symposium:
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- Holly Meany, M.D. offers a clinical overview about Neuroblastoma, before researchers present their specific research.
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- Brian Rood, M.D. of Children’s National, and Sadhana Jackson, M.D. of the National Cancer Institute, discuss findings from Dr. Rood’s latest research.
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- NCI Pediatric Branch Chair Brigitte Widemann, M.D. introduces Haneen Shalabi, D.O. also of NCI, and recipient of the 2017 CCF Giant Food Next Gen award.
