The 2026 Cancer Biology Graduate Research Symposium is underway! 🧬🔬
Keynote, faculty talks, speed talks & posters ahead!
📍 Frontiers of Flight Museum
6911 Lemmon Ave., Dallas, TX 75209
#CancerBiology #UTSouthwestern
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A new year of discovery starts here! 🧬🔬
Welcome to the Cancer Biology Graduate Program Research Symposium! Excited for a day of great science, new ideas, and conversations celebrating the incredible research across our program. 🎓🧪
#CancerBiology #UTSW #ResearchSymposium
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A fresh semester means WIPs are back! 🎓🔬
Today we kicked things off with our Cancer Biology Meet the Program Day; great conversations, prospective students, and plenty of food and sweet treats. 🍧
Thanks to Dr. Rolf Brekken for welcoming everyone back!
@CancerBiology @UTSW
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#WIPs highlight:Tina Andoh (Gruber Lab) presents work showing that VISTA binds highly sulfated heparan sulfate in a pH-dependent manner; a potential mechanism for VISTA-mediated immune suppression that may help guide new strategies for VISTA-targeted cancer immunotherapy. 🧬🔬
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#WIPs highlight: Arlene Levario (Conacci-Sorrell Lab) presents work identifying ZNF692 as a novel regulator of ribosome biogenesis and nucleolar integrity. By showing that ZNF692 loss triggers nucleolar stress and may strengthen p53-mediated tumor suppression. 🧬🔬
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#WIPs highlight: Blake Schwettmann (Maddipati & Brekken Lab) presents work identifying MIF as a driver of immune suppression in PDAC. By showing that MIF inhibition reduces tumor growth and metastasis while shifting the TME toward anti-tumor immunity. 🧬🔬
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Standing room only for the first session of History of Molecular Biology 🧬
Packed auditorium with trainees, faculty, and UTSW leadership, an incredible start with Dr. Richard Losick. 🔬✨
A rare opportunity you don’t want to miss 🧬
UTSW Graduate School hosts Richard Losick (Harvard University)
for a special course on the History of Molecular Biology.
Foundational discoveries that shaped modern cancer research .
don’t miss it! 🔬
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A rare opportunity you don’t want to miss 🧬
UTSW Graduate School hosts Richard Losick (Harvard University)
for a special course on the History of Molecular Biology.
Foundational discoveries that shaped modern cancer research .
don’t miss it! 🔬
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WIPS highlight: Xiyu Liu (Zhang Lab) presents in vivo Perturb-Seq mapping genetic interaction drivers of metastasis. 🧬
PTEN-centered networks reveal how gene interactions fuel breast cancer lung metastasis and inform combinatorial therapies. 🔬
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WIPS highlight: Emily Patterson-Rees (Strand Lab) presents a multimodal atlas of the lower urinary tract. 🧬
Single-cell and spatial profiling uncover new cell types, sex differences, and disease targets in bladder cancer, BPH, and UTIs. 🔬
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Thank you to Dr. #Leah_Banks and #Adriana_Almodova for an insightful WIPS session!
From CVs and mock interviews to negotiation strategies, international resources, and careers beyond the bench; valuable tools for our trainees. 🚀
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Xinrui Yang (Zhang Lab| a New Cat Dad)
🔬💙WIPs highlight: shares how targeting Dermatopontin (DPT)—a key extracellular matrix component—may re-sensitize chemoresistant ovarian tumors and enhance chemotherapy response.
Rethinking the metastatic niche to improve patient outcomes.
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Igor Lopes dos Santos (Conacci-Sorrell Lab)
🔬🧬WIPs highlight: Explores how the tryptophan metabolite I3P fuels hepatocellular carcinoma.
By probing its roles in AHR signaling and ferroptosis resistance, this work uncovers metabolic vulnerabilities for liver cancer therapy.
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Peter Leung (Aguilera Lab |
Professional Cat Dad 🐈⬛)
🫁💥 WIPS highlight: Presurgical SAbR improves local control in pancreatic cancer; enhancing pathology and inducing immune activation (CD8⁺, NK/NKT), while maintaining overall survival despite advanced disease.
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Shreenidhi Rajkumar (Gruber Lab)
🧬✨ WIPS highlight: In vivo histone labeling reveals Histonekrexis; a rapid, replication-independent burst of histone synthesis after tissue injury that resets epigenetic states and primes regeneration.
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Like snow on the desert;
here for a moment, then gone…
So while you’re here: be joyful.
🖋️Khayyám
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Anthony Grichuk (Shay/Gao Lab)
🧠💥 WIPS highlight: 6-thio-dG crosses the BBB, triggers telomeric DNA damage and cGAS-STING signaling, and re-sensitizes GBM to radiation by reprogramming the TME.
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Ben Kroger (Chung Lab)
🧬🩸 WIPS highlight: Ultra-low-input sequencing of HSCs predicts MDS relapse months before clinical detection; outperforming bulk BM and highlighting persistent MDS HSCs as key biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Dylan Calhoon (Garcia-Bermudez Lab)
🧫🧬 WIPS highlight: Membrane saturation and fluidity directly tune ACBD3–PI4KB signaling; saturated FAs weaken while polyunsaturated FAs enhance the interaction, linking lipid biophysics to metabolism.
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Hai Cheng Huang (Akbay Lab)
🫁🧬 WIPS highlight: Comparing Kras G12C vs G12D lung tumors reveals distinct biology and immune dependencies, where G12D tumors require immune remodeling and checkpoint blockade for durable responses.
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Nicole McCuen (Alluri Lab)
💥🧬 WIPS highlight: RT + OTX015 turns tumors into in situ vaccines boosting CD8⁺ T cell immunity, immune memory, and systemic tumor control by enhancing ICD and suppressing RT-induced PD-L1.
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Shaneann Fross (Strand Lab)
🧫🧬 WIPS highlight: Using single-cell sequencing to map TME changes across NMIBC stage and grade; aiming to identify early predictors of recurrence and progression to MIBC.
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Had a great time at this special WIPS session with Dr. Charlotte Haley! 🌿🧠
We even got to practice a “mindful pause” much needed during grad school chaos 😂
Such a refreshing and fun session for our Cancer Biology community!
Join us this Friday (Nov 14, 2–3 PM, NL03.120) for a special Cancer Biology WIPS session with Dr. Charlotte Haley from the Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute! 🧠✨
She’ll share practical strategies for stress management and highlight wellness resources at UTSW.
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Join us this Friday (Nov 14, 2–3 PM, NL03.120) for a special Cancer Biology WIPS session with Dr. Charlotte Haley from the Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute! 🧠✨
She’ll share practical strategies for stress management and highlight wellness resources at UTSW.
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This week’s #WIPS: Bingbing Li (McBrayer Lab) on how tumors choose pyrimidine-synthesis routes. Using a new 15N isotope-tracing platform profiling 30 metabolites at once, the team maps nitrogen flux in malignant vs non-malignant cells. #CancerBiology #Metabolism #UTSW
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Congratulations to Cancer Biology PhD candidate Dylan Calhoon (Garcia-Bermudez Lab) on earning first place at the One Health Collaborative Symposium poster session at UTSW. Strong work in translational science. #UTSouthwestern #CancerBiology
Don’t miss Dr. Benjamin Levi (UTSW) and Dr. Ellie Rahbar (TAMU) at the One Health Symposium!
Discover how collaboration drives innovation in human, animal, and environmental health.
📅 Nov 3
🕥 10:30AM–1:00PM
📍 UT Southwestern
🔗 forms.microsoft.com/r/5CLvFz…
@tamuvetmed
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This week’s #WIPS: Shawn (Chan Lab) unpacked the KEAP1–NRF2 axis in T-cell immunotherapy; metabolic adaptation, stem-like CD8⁺ persistence, and RCC implications for checkpoint blockade. 🔬🧬 #CancerBiology #Immunotherapy #UTSW
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This week’s #WIPS: Kerelos (Yao Lab) on the KEAP1–NRF2 axis in T-cell immunotherapy; how KEAP1 sustains stem-like CD8⁺ cells under chronic stimulation, and how tuning NRF2 could boost anti-tumor immunity in RCC and responses to checkpoint blockade. 🔬🧬 #CancerBiology #UTSW
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😂 A funny memory from #CancerRetreat 2025:
The epic showdown between CB and GDD faculty 🏆😎🤝🏻
#UTSW #GradLife
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Rapid-fire brilliance! 💡
Our Cancer Biology trainees delivered their cutting-edge research in the 2-Minute Speed Talks session; showcasing innovation, clarity, and confidence across labs!
#UTSW #Cancerbiology
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Spotlight on our oral presentation speakers! 🔬👏
Isaac Gonzalez, William Huang, and Dohun Kim shared cutting-edge insights into tumor biology, KRAS-driven lung cancer, and NADPH metabolism. Incredible science in action! #CancerBiologyretreat #UTSWResearch
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We’re honored to welcome Dr. Agnel Sfeir, PaineWebber Chair in Cancer Genetics at MSKCC and UTSW alumna, as our keynote speaker at the 2025 Cancer Biology Research Symposium!
#UTSW #CancerBiology #ResearchSymposium
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CanBio retreat Just started!
Come and Join us!
📍Crowne Plaza Dallas Market Ctr - Love Field by IHG, 7050 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75247
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Need details about the Cancer Biology Retreat?
The answer is just an email away📧
ask our brilliant coordinator, Alexander Samilton! 😎
Samuel.Ramirez@UTSouthwestern.edu
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This week’s #UTSWCancerBio WIP: Dohun Kim (Hoxhaj Lab)
NAD Kinase Maintains Epidermal Homeostasis
Uncovering how NADPH metabolism preserves skin barrier integrity and redox balance; linking metabolism to epidermal health.
#CancerResearch #Metabolism
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This week’s #UTSWCancerBio WIP: Mark Mannino (Morrison Lab)
Type I Interferons & Metastatic Potential in Melanoma
Exploring how IFN signaling heterogeneity shapes melanoma metastasis and immune evasion through PD-L1 & CD47 pathways.
#CancerResearch #Immunology #Melanoma
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🧬 This week’s #UTSWCancerBio #WIP: Roger Liang (Zhu & DeBerardinis Labs)
Zonal Metabolic Perturbations & Liver Tumorigenesis
How spatial gene expression & glycogen metabolism drive liver disease + tumor formation.
⚡️Every Friday with WIP Seminar!
#CancerResearch #LiverDisease
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🚨 Breakthrough in #GeneEditing!
Congrats to Yehui Sun, winner of the 2025 Ida M. Green Award 🎉
Her pioneering work uses lipid nanoparticles + SORT delivery to correct faulty genes in 70% of lung stem cells—lasting nearly 2 years. A potential one-time treatment for CF!
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📢 Happening today!
Join us for the VROC One-Health Symposium! 🧬🐾
📅 Monday, June 23, 2025
🕣 Light refreshments: 8:30 AM
🧠 Program starts: 9:00 AM
📍 EC3.130, Simmons Cancer Center, Dallas
🎉 Happy Hour: 5:15–6:15 PM
Let’s connect over #OneHealth & comparative oncology!
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On this Memorial Day, we pause to honor the heroes who gave everything for our freedom. Their courage, sacrifice, and legacy live on in every heartbeat of this nation. We remember. We are grateful. #MemorialDay
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We’re excited to announce the launch of the Veterinary Research and Oncology Clinic (VROC) at UTSW!
Led by Dr. Ashish Ranjan, VROC bridges veterinary and human cancer care through advanced HIFU, radiation, and clinical trials.
#CancerBiology #VROC #UTSW #OneHealth
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Today we celebrate Sheryl Sclater, our incredible Graduate Medical Education Program Coordinator, as she begins her well-deserved retirement!
Thank you for your years of dedication, kindness, and unwavering support. You’ve left a legacy that will be cherished. #ThankYouSheryl ❤️
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