The following eight trainees are the recipients of the MD Anderson Alumni & Faculty Association Trainee Excellence Awards for the cycle March 1 to July 31, 2010.

 

The Alumni & Faculty Association grants twelve Trainee Excellence Awards annually in two cycles.  The awards are funded in part by gifts to the Education Fund.  To make a donation to this fund for trainee awards, you may do so online, or by contacting Development Office staff at 713-563-4087.

 

Chelsea C. Pinnix, MD, PhD
Resident, Radiation Oncology
Mentor:  Tse-Kuan Yu, MD, PhD
Abstract: "Assessing Resting Respiration-induced Cardiac Motion into the Tangential treatment Fields of Breast Cancer Radiotherapy using Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography"

 

Katrina L. Salazar
Graduate Research Assistant, Pathology
Mentor:  Kenneth D. Aldape, MD
Abstract:  "TAZ as a regulator of mesenchymal transformation and clinical aggressiveness in gliomas"

 

Rachel K.  Miller, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mentor:  Pierre D. McCrea, PhD
Abstract:  "Downstream non-canonical Wnt components Daam 1 and WGEF are Required for Epithelial Tubulogenesis in the Xenopus Pronephros"

 

Klaus W. Wagner, MD, PhD
Fellow, Hematology and Oncology
Mentor:  Xifeng Wu,  MD, PhD
Abstract:   "Genetic variations in DNA-methyltransferases, histone-methyltransferases and methylated DNA binding proteins are associated with recurrence in early stage Non-Small-Cell-Lung cancer treated with surgery alone or surgery and chemotherapy"

 

Shannon N. Westin, MD
Fellow, Investigational Cancer Therapeutics
Mentor:  Diane C. Bodurka, MD
Abstract:  "Persistent obesity among endometrial cancer survivors:  A teachable moment?"

 

Fernanda I. Staquicini, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, GU Medical Oncology
Mentor:  Renata Pasqualini, PhD
Abstract:  "Targeting the blood-brain barrier with a non-canonical iron-mimicry mechanism:  A translational approach for the detection and treatment of human brain tumors"

 

Amy R. Carroll, MD
Fellow, Gynecologic Oncology
Mentor:  Anil K. Sood, MD
Abstract:  "Breaking scaffolds:  targeting paxillin in ovarian cancer"

 

Guillermo Armaiz Pena, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, Experimental Therapeutics
Mentor:  Anil K. Sood, MD
Abstract:  "Neuroendocrine modulation of anoikis"

 

 

Construction is underway for the Mid Campus Building 1 (1MC, formerly the Administrative Support Building) - MD Anderson's first building and a new focal point in the Texas Medical Center's growing Mid Campus.  

The building will be designed to provide office space for occupants in various lease sites and will provide new incremental space to support institutional growth projections. When complete in Summer 2011, the building will face the new extension of Bertner Avenue, soon to be the main artery connecting MD Anderson's Main Campus to its South Campus.

This remarkable $350 million project calls for the construction of 1.4 million square feet of space over 25-stories - consolidating lease space tenants from eight locations around the Texas Medical Center. Its unique design will set the tone for the development and architecture of future Mid Campus expansions.

The Alumni & Faculty Association is launching a campaign to collect donations to the MD Anderson Alumni & Faculty Association Education Fund.  Targeting current members of the faculty, the Association is asking for donations to support research award programs for trainees and students and for undergraduate student scholarships.  Gifts of $5000 or more will also be recognized on the new Alumni Tribute Display that has been built and will be installed in the Pickens Academic Tower.  For more information on how you can make a gift, go to The Education Fund link.

At the last steering committee meeting of the fiscal year, held on July 8th, 2010, Dr. Peter Hu was voted chair-elect, to become chair of the MD Anderson Alumni & Faculty Association effective September 1, 2010.  Welcome, Peter.

Alumni & Faculty Association members are encouraged to login to the online directory to update home and business contact information.   To update your profile, select Member Information and find the link to the Online Directory.  Any questions, please contact us at:

Alumni@MDAnderson.org