Our Goal
The goal of the Heidi Dvinge and Patti Keely Cancer Trainee Network is to grow the involvement of trainees across the UW cancer research fields and foster a community of service. We are open to trainees of all levels who are working with our faculty and trainees doing cancer-related research in ALL areas.
Our Purpose
The purpose of the Center Heidi Dvinge and Patti Keely Cancer Trainee Network is to serve and provide value to ALL cancer research trainees. Specifically, trainees can expect:
• Opportunities to interact with other trainees of all levels and research areas
• Funding opportunities
• Grass roots voice for trainee needs
The Cancer Trainee Network is growing…it’s time for you to get involved!!
The Cancer Trainee Network started in 2019 and was created to provide a platform for ALL cancer related research from basic science to clinical fellows. Some of the benefits offered to registered trainees:
• Interactions, support, and networking opportunities
• Funding and Awards – Research Retreat, Travel/Enrichment,
Summer Research (you must be registered to be eligible)
• Cancer-related seminars
• Network communications
The Cancer Trainee Network is a platform that was created for trainees, by trainees. Being part of the network allows your voice to be heard.
Register so you can receive the benefits of the network.
Registration Link
Faculty Advisors
Anna Huttenlocher, MD
Professor of Medical Microbiology
& Immunology and Pediatrics
Jane Churpek, MD, MS
Assistant Professor
Division of Hematology
Medical Oncology and
Palliative Care
Useful Links
In the Spotlight
2024 UWCCC Research Retreat Abstract Submission
This year’s retreat theme is “Cancer Modeling” and will host two cutting edge keynote speakers.
Calvin Kuo, MD/PhD Professor from Stanford University
and
Claudia Fischbach, PhD Professor from Cornell University
The annual research retreat will take place on Monday, April 15. All trainees are encouraged to participate in one of two ways:
Click here to submit your abstract
Please visit the 2024 Research Retreat webpage to register and get updated information.
Cancer Trainee Network Seminar Series
HSLC 1248
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Spring 2024 dates:
February 20: Fernanda Szewc
March 19: Alexander Niver & Joshua Brand
April 16: Adeel Ahmed
Each seminar will have an oncology-related theme with one or two presenters.
This is a great opportunity for trainees to present their work in a collegial environment and add to their CV. Projects at any stage are welcome. If you are interested in presenting, please fill out the speaker interest form below. Pizza is provided.
Ongoing Events and Announcements
Cancer Trainee Network
Carbone Chronicles
Written BY trainees FOR trainees ABOUT trainees!!
Get to know your fellow trainees and catch up on Cancer Trainee Network events and announcements.
Catch Up on Previous Editions
CTN Carbone Chronicles (April 2023)
CTN Carbone Chronicles(March 2023)
CTN Carbone Chronicles (Feb 2023)
CTN Carbone Chronicles ( Oct 2022)
Immunology Work-in-Progress (IWiP)
A forum for trainees and early career faculty
to share their ongoing research with other
trainees conducting cancer research.
Spring 2024 Events
February 13: Dr. Rob Striker
March 5: Dr. Margaret Alexander
March 12: Breanne Steffan
April 9: Bridget Crossman
These events are held in the Microbial Science Building Room 1520 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm. Pizza is provided.
Heidi Dvinge & Patti Keely Travel/Enrichment Awards
for graduate and medical students, residents, clinical and research fellows and postdocs
Application for the 6th Round Annual Awards
Coming Late Spring 2024
Congratulations to the recipients of the 5th semiannual Heidi Dvinge and Patti Keely Cancer Trainee Network Travel/Enrichment Awards!
This award was made possible by generous donors and is to provide support for full-time trainees to travel to events that will enhance their cancer research training.
Additional Network Info
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Current Cancer Trainee Network Leadership Team
Lauren Banaszak – Chief Resident/Clinical Fellow Jack Shireman – Neurological Surgery
Mayra Betancourt Ponce – Ob-Gyn Gynecologic Oncology Amanda Shea – Cancer Biology
Erica Hoffmann – Cell and Regenerative Biology Apoorva Anandan, MD
Clayton Marcinak – Clinical Fellow/Department of Surgery Amy Taylor, MD – Research Fellow
Lauren Montemorano – Ob-Gyn Clinical Fellow Marien Ochoa, MD – Post Doctoral Fellow
Loyda Braithwaite – Hematology, Medical Oncology, Palliative Care Noah Carrillo – Molecular & Environmental Toxicology
Johanna Poterala – Medicine Clinical Fellow
Tanaya Purohit – Urology
Cristina Paz – Surgery/Human Oncology
Megan Bacabac – Grad Student
Recent Alumni of this Committee:
Jennifer Bird – Population Health PhD Graduate
Jeremy Kratz – Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care
Activities and Benefits
- Quarterly advisory panel meetings
- Recommendations on how they could benefit from the center, planning for honors opportunities, ideas to unify cancer related trainees
- Review grant applications for undergraduate educational grants
- Serve on the Carbone Research Retreat planning committee
- Recommendations/Judging of trainee presentations and awards
- Possible Honors
- Society trainee specific funding opportunities (travel awards, small research awards) *you must be registered with the Cancer Trainee Network to apply and receive awards.
- Opportunities to speak at community events
- Host Cancer Center tours or nominate other to lead tours
- Best paper awards
- Grand Rounds presentation
- Other Amazing Perks
- Seminar Events information
- Social Information
- Network support opportunities
- The Cancer Trainee Network Chronicles Newspaper
- Access to Cancer Trainee Network podcasts
- Volunteer opportunities through UWCCC
- Automatic weekly UWCCC TGIF digital subscription
Applying to be part of the Cancer Trainee Network Leadership Team
NOMINATION INFORMATION
- Members will be added each year for the leadership cohort
- 2-year term
- Application due date is in November 2022
- Review and Notifications mid December 2022
APPLICATION PROCESS AND COMPONENTS
- Work with your mentor to complete the application via Smartsheet. Link here (Fall of 2022) and scroll down to Open Nomination section.
- Trainee – Brief statement of application
- Trainee – Resume/biosketch
- Mentor – Letter of recommendation
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION:
- Trainee levels eligible – graduate, medical, postdoctoral, residents, fellows
- Musts be working with Cancer Center faculty, conducting cancer-focused research and/or are engaged in oncology-related clinical training.
- Trainee should have demonstrated involvement in research events, committees, cancer related organizations
- Mentor recommendation on trainee demonstration or expression of research excellence, professionalism, dedication.
- Please keep in mind UW-Madison’s statement on diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW–Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community
Please contact members of the existing leadership team for more information on the society and their experiences at UWCCCtrainees@mailplus.wisc.
Research Resources
https://cancer.wisc.edu/research/shared-resources/
SMPH funding opportunities link
https://intranet.med.wisc.edu/research/funding-opportunities/
medRAMP grants library link
https://grantslibrary.med.wisc.edu/
Grant opportunities from UWCCC
https://cancer.wisc.edu/research/funding/
Data Science Hub
https://datascience.wisc.edu/hub
UW Biotechnology Center
This Cancer Trainee Network is named in honor and memory of two amazing scientists
Heidi Dvinge, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biomolecular Chemistry and member of the Carbone Cancer Center, passed away unexpectedly in September 2019. With great sorrow over the loss of a brilliant young scientist, colleague, mentor and friend, we honor her memory and her scholarly work. Dvinge had been a member of the School of Medicine and Public Health faculty. Her research program was dedicated to understanding how misregulation of RNA processing contributes to disease, and how changes that occur in RNA splicing processes in cancer cells might be exploited to allow new therapeutic approaches. Her research interwove the disciplines of molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics and oncology with a combination of precision and creativity. “She had the knowledge and ability to conduct science involving big data, but at the same time, she had finesse for experimental science in the lab — a very rare combination.” Says Emery Bresnick, PhD, leader of the UW Carbone Cancer Center’s Genetics and Epigenetics Program. The scientific world took note of Dvinge’s brilliance: Over the past five years alone, her publications have been cited more than 4,600 times.
She was a skilled mentor to undergraduates and graduate students, serving as a faculty mentor in the Integrated Program in Biochemistry, the Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, and the Genetics PhD program.
Patricia Keely, PhD, was Professor of Cell and Regenerative Biology and
co-leader of the Tumor Micro-environment Group at Carbone Cancer Center. It would be easy to simply say Dr. Patti Keely was a world-class, nationally recognized breast cancer researcher at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. And, that would be correct – but only part of the picture. Patti transformed her personal cancer diagnosis into experiential learning opportunities that inspired her to dive deeper in search of a cure for the disease. Keely died in 2017 of advanced pancreatic cancer. Her prolific research career, which includes countless publications, was most recently focused on cell signaling related to cellular differentiation and transformation and included her sentinel research on the role of the cellular micro-environment in the behavior of breast cancer cells.
Her leadership, mentor ship and her collaborative nature allowed her to make a tremendous impact in this world, according to Dr. Howard Bailey, associate dean for oncology and director of the Carbone Cancer Center. “She leaves behind a remarkable legacy as an outstanding scientist, dedicated mentor, strong academic leader, and caring and committed person,” said Dr. Robert Golden, dean of the School of Medicine and Public Health.
CONTACT US
Mary Nutt Mary Headington
Assistant Director of Cancer Research
Translational Research and Education Training Coordinator
mpnutt@wisc.edu headington@wisc.edu