Scholar Retreat

Mentors

Clark C.
Chen
,
MD, PhD
University of Minnesota

Forum Description

The Scholar Retreat held annually, invites scholars and mentors to attend a 3-day meeting. This meeting focuses on bringing junior scientists together from various areas of cancer research. The collaborations and innovative ideas that come from this meeting have been numerous and outstanding. The mentors provide great guidance regarding science and career for these junior scientists.At the Retreat, the Scholars share their research with the other Scholars and Mentors. Each Scholar will participate in four sequential retreats, with all expenses paid by WGFRF. The opportunity for Scholars to connect and form relationships with researchers from completely different areas of cancer research and to have a sort of peer review is one of the most valuable roles of the Retreat. Through the Mentors, the Retreat offers Scholars guidance on practical career issues such as writing grants and preparing successful scientific publications.Each year, the Scholar Retreat coincides with the Foundation’s annual ‘Blue Jean Ball’ fundraiser. All Scholars attend this event, providing them an opportunity to meet with families whose lives have been directly affected by cancer. This experience resonates particularly with scientists who, unlike clinicians, do not have contact with patients, by putting a human face on cancer.

Forum Summary

The 8th annual Scholar re-treat featured presentations by Scholars and Mentors in each of the topics of the four most recent annual forums: the Biology and Treatment of Primary Brain Tumors, immunotherapy and Breaking Tolerance, Cancer genomics, and Epigenetics. One extremely heartening theme that was common to all of these sessions was that it was clear that our ability to study human tumors directly has increased vastly. no longer is it necessary to study only models and cells that are remote approximations of patients’ own tumors. now the trip between patient tumor, hypothesis generation and testing in the laboratory, and back to the patient is occurring nearly continuously, a vast improvement in recent years.

This retreat was fortunate to benefit from the experience of Forbeck stalwart Chuck Sherr (St. Jude’s, Memphis) who kicked off the retreat with a fascinating discussion of why if one particular type of mutation is selected in a cancer cell, another is not, and how this can teach you about the cancer’s cell of origin. The Brain Tumor session that followed, chaired by Martine Roussel (St. Jude’s, Memphis), was characterized by the type of bedside-to-bench investigation that is providing information so much more rapidly today, even in the challenging disease of glioma.

The meeting began with a talk by the keynote speaker, David Cheresh, Ph.D., Vice Chairman of Pathology, University of California, San Diego that described his fascinating journey from studies of antibodies to the discovery that defined the role of integrin in angiogenesis, including a detour through a landmark Supreme Court case. In the early 1990’s, David had made the seminal discovery that angiogenesis could be inhibited by blocking surface receptor on endothelial cells. He tested RGD peptides supplied by Merck for their anti-angiogenic effects in tumor models. Integra, a company that co-owned five patients (with the Burnham Institute) to variants of RGD peptides, sued Merck for infringement of patent rights. The suit was ultimately reviewed by the Supreme Court. The Court decided in favor of Merck/Cheresh and held that “the use of patented compounds in preclinical studies is protected...as long as there is a reasonable basis for believing that the experiment will produce ‘the type of information that are relevant to an IND and NDA.'” Cheresh gave a mesmerizing first-person account of the scientific and personal context of this important Supreme Court case that continues to shape investigational use of patented reagents in research. As a life lesson, he emphasized the need to doggedly pursue those studies that are of personal importance, irrespective of the obstacles.

The scientific session on Friday morning focused on Cancer Genomics. Dereck Chiang, Ph.D. (Novartis) discussed the challenges that he faces daily in terms of the clinical translation of the ever-expanding cancer genomic landscape and the need for thoughtful clinical trial design. Sharon Diskin, Ph.D. (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) unveiled novel single nucleotide polymorphism that may underlie unique clinical features of neuroblastoma subtypes. Chris Putnam, Ph.D. (University of California, San Diego) provided an overview of how model organisms, such as the baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, can be used to dissect complex genetic interactions on a “systems” level. Bob S. Carter, MD, PhD, an invited mentor and Chairman of Neurosurgery at the University of California, San Diego, shared an extraordinary career that spans the discovery of clinical importance of Ras in prostate cancer, the construction of chimeric T-cells as a tool for molecularly targeting oncogenes, and the discovery of exosomes as a clinical diagnostic and therapeutic platform. For career guidance, Carter emphasized the importance of collaborative endeavors and innovation through inter-disciplinary investigations.

The session on Friday afternoon focused on Epigenetics. Grant Challen, Ph.D. (Washington University School of Medicine) spoke on the importance of DNA methyltransferases and DNA methylation in hematopoietic stem cell fate decision. Gary Chung Hun, Ph.D. (University of California San Diego) described his work elucidating the molecular physiology associated with aberrant Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signaling. Chris Vakoc, Ph.D. (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) discussed the role of the BET bromodomain protein BRD4, as a drug target in acute myeloid leukemia. Anindya Dutta, MD, PhD, an invited mentor and Chairman of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, shared with the Scholars an intellectual odyssey through molecular mechanisms that govern DNA replication and then on-coding RNAs critical for regulating these mechanisms. Dutta’s advice to young investigators is that “it is always worthwhile to take the ‘high road’ when you are placed in an unfortunate situation. The individuals that you lash out against today will inevitably become your Reviewers in the near future.”

The Saturday morning session focused on Tumor Metabolism. Julie-Aurore Losman, M.D., Ph.D. (Dana Farber Cancer Institute) showed work suggesting that the EGLN1 complex, a critical oxygen sensor for cellular metabolism, may harbor functions outside of its canonical role. Kathryn Wellen, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania) provided data suggesting that metabolic disturbances can translate into genomic instability and altered DNA damage repair. Michael Cox, Ph.D., an invited mentor and a tenured Professor at the University of Wisconsin, described his pioneering work uncovering mutations that mediate evolution of extreme resistance to ionizing radiation and the pertinence of these mutations to therapeutic development for cancer patients. Importantly, many of these mutations modulate processes independent of DNA damage repair. For the Scholars, Cox emphasized the importance of cultivating and training the next generation of scientific investigators.

The final session of the meeting focused on Resistance Mechanisms. Mari-Francis Arteaga, Ph.D. (Universitatsklinikum Munster, Germany) described the importance of PHF8, a lysine demethylase, as a molecular sensor for mediating retinoic acid treatment response in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Cory Johannessen, Ph.D. (Dana Farber Cancer Institute) rereviewed his work demonstrating molecular pathways responsible for acquired therapeutic resistance to molecularly targeted agents. Kristopher Sarosiek, Ph.D. (Dana Farber Cancer Institute), discussed assessment of apoptotic potential in various organs to better understand developmental programming. I spoke in this last session describing miRNA degradation as a novel mechanism of acquired resistance to chemotherapy. The degradation of key miRNAs results in simultaneous de-repression of multiple DNA repair process. Moreover, such resistance can be circumvented by retroviral gene therapy.

Venue & Travel Information

Geneva National Resort

1221 Geneva National Avenue, South

Lake Geneva, WI 53147

262-245-7000

Travel Forms

Travel forms are due 30 days prior to the start of the meeting to allow enough time to plan transportation.

Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is the preferred airport as it is only 45 minutes from the meeting location.

  • Arrivals - Thursday around 1 PM, 3 PM and 5 PM
  • Departures - Sunday around 10 AM and 12 PM

Chicago's O'Hare Airport (ORD) is 1 1/2 hours from the meeting location without traffic. The Foundation tries to prioritize International Flights and situations where flying into ORD is significantly cheaper than connecting to MKE. The times below are for guidance only, and depending on the volume of travelers, we may add an additional shuttle to and from the airport.

  • Arrivals - Thursday around 3 PM
  • Departures - Sunday around 10 AM
TRAVEL FORMS DUE:
August 11, 2014
submit travel form

Travel Policy

Please familiarize yourself with our policies and procedures for travel. We truly appreciate you taking the time to participate in this meeting. As you make your plans, please remember that we are a nonprofit organization dependent on donations and volunteers. We do NOT pay for upgrades, change fees, incurred costs resulting from a flight change, transportation to or from your local (home side) airport, meals or other incidentals.

  • Travel Confirmation will be sent out within 1 week of the meeting. This will include a hotel confirmation number, if there is one, and airport transfer details. We have to wait until we receive almost everyone’s travel to book airport transfer. Due to frequent airline changes, we wait until the week of the meeting to send this out.
  • Airport transfer is provided by Foundation staff, volunteers or arranged shuttle at specific times. If you opt to utilize Foundation airport transportation on your travel form, please be patient in receiving this information. We will send it to the week of the meeting.
  • Speaker agenda is not sent out prior to the meeting. It will be provided upon arrival in the meeting packet. We do not tell people when they are speaking because we expect everyone to attend all sessions. Sessions are all day Friday and Saturday.
  • REMINDER: We do not reimburse for home side airport transfer or incidentals while traveling. We will not honor miscellaneous receipts sent for these expenses.
  • Spouses are welcome to come with you at their own cost but are not allowed to attend the meeting. Please no children.

What the Foundation Pays

Accommodations and meals are provided by the foundation during the meeting. Airfare will be covered only if booked through our travel agent. The Foundation will also cover airport transportation on the meeting side at the designated shuttle times. You can select not to utilize Foundation arranged transportation at your own expense when completing the travel form. Once your travel form is received your accommodations and airport transfer will be confirmed. Please let us know of any food allergies or other information we should be aware of on the travel forms.

  • If you would like your airfare covered by the Foundation, you must book with our travel agent. Note we do not cover upgrades, changes, late bookings, etc.
  • Flights must be booked at least 30 days prior to the meeting to confirm your accommodations and airport transfer.
  • As a nonprofit we utilize volunteers and other methods to maximize our efforts (or our donor support) when making accommodations and arranging ground transportation. Ground transportation will be provided upon your arrival either by a foundation volunteer or arranged shuttle. You will be provided airport transportation information the week of the meeting. We do not reimburse for home side airport transfer or incidentals while traveling.

Abstracts

Abstracts are due 30 days prior to the start of the meeting to allow enough time to prepare the meeting book.

The abstracts should be only one or two paragraphs outlining the theme of your presentation and should reflect the objective and spirit of the meeting (see above). Abstracts will be circulated about one week before the meeting. The meeting organizer will start requesting them a month before the meeting.

abstracts DUE:
August 11, 2014
submit abstract

Meeting Structure

The meeting structure has been developed over years of experience.

  • Participants have approximately 45 minutes, depending on the number of participants, for their presentation and discussion. The presentation is meant as a conversation start and should last about twenty minutes briefly covering background information and areas that are new or need further input. This should be structured in such a way as to lead to a lively discussion. Participants are encouraged to interrupt to ask questions or start discussions.
  • A MAXIMUM of 5 slide equivalents per presentation is allowed (Power point slides should not contain more than one graph or gel per slide and no more than 5 bullet points to stress the points being made by the presenter.) We appreciate cooperation with the spirit of this guideline. Handouts are welcome but should be distributed before sessions.
  • Everyone is expected to actively participate in every session and discussions.
  • The time spent at the meeting is relatively short, so please be familiar with papers received prior to the meeting.
  • It is very important that you commit to all sessions of the 2 days of meetings.

Forbeck Scholars Participation

Scholars are selected for each Forbeck Forum. These are outstanding junior clinical or post-doctoral fellows selected based on the quality and relevance of science.

  • Scholars present for 30-45 minutes, depending on the number of participants
  • The same presentation rules apply for scholars
  • After the Forum you are selected to attend, you will attend three years of Scholar Retreats held in Lake Geneva, WI. If you attend a Fall Forum, you will attend the Spring Retreat. If you attend a Spring Forum you will attend a Fall Retreat.
  • Scholars are selected by the Foundation Scientific Advisory Board and peer reviewers selected from past Forbeck Scholars.

General Program

The outline below illustrates a typical program schedule. You will receive a complete schedule, including speaking times, the Thursday the meeting starts.

Arrival Day
1:00 PM Arrivals
6:00 PM Cocktails (opt'l)
7:00 PM Dinner
Meeting Day 1
7:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM Scientific Sessions
12:00 PM Lunch
1:30 PM Scientific Sessions
6:00 PM Cocktails & Dinner
Meeting Day 2
7:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM Scientific Sessions
12:00 PM Lunch
1:30 PM Scientific Sessions
6:00 PM Cocktails & Dinner
Departure Day
7:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM Departures

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of our most Frequently Asked Questions. If you have something new to ask, please feel free to contact us.

  • Travel Confirmation will be sent out within 1 week of the meeting. This will include a hotel confirmation number, if there is one, and airport transfer details. We have to wait until we receive almost everyone’s travel to book airport transfer. Due to frequent airline changes, we wait until the week of the meeting to send this out.
  • Airport transfer is provided by Foundation staff, volunteers or arranged shuttle at specific times. If you opt to utilize Foundation airport transportation on your travel form, please be patient in receiving this information. We will send it to the week of the meeting.
  • Speaker agenda is not sent out prior to the meeting. It will be provided upon arrival in the meeting packet. We do not tell people when they are speaking because we expect everyone to attend all sessions. Sessions are all day Friday and Saturday.
  • Frequently airport transfer is provided by volunteers. Please be patient on receiving this information. Airport transfer will be sent out prior to arrival.
  • REMINDER: We do not reimburse for home side airport transfer or incidentals while traveling. We will not honor miscellaneous receipts sent for these expenses.

Forum Participants

Bob
Carter
,
MD, PhD
UC San Diego School of Medicine
David
Cheresh
,
PhD
University of California San Diego
Anindya
Dutta
,
MD, PhD
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Myung
Kyungjae
,
PhD
National Human Genome Research Institute

Forum Scholars

Maria-Francis Artega,
King’s College London
Benjamin P. Berman, PhD
USC Epigenome Center
Grant Challen, PhD
Washington University
Derek Y. Chiang, PhD
Novartis
Sharon J. Diskin, PhD
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Gary Hon, PhD
University of California San Diego
Mohit Jain, MD, PhD
Harvard Medical School
Cory M. Johannessen, PhD
The Broad Institute
Julie-Aurore Losman, MD, PhD
Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Chris Putnam, PhD
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
Alvaro Rada-Iglesias, PhD
Stanford University
Kristopher A. Sarosiek, PhD
Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Chris Vakoc, MD, PhD
Cold Spring Harbor
Kathryn E. Wellen, PhD
University of Pennsylvania
Kris Cameron Wood, PhD
Duke University
Hao Zu, MD
Harvard Medical School