Author: plott

Publications that exemplified the research from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded research are selected and highlighted by the Epidemiology and Genomic Research Program (EGRP) Research Highlights.

We are honored that Ted Toal’s paper characterizing the genetic heterogeneity in gastric cancer was selected to be highlighted for 2022. Ted and the lab put 1000s of hours into characterizing the molecular changes that occur and identifying the heterogeneity that present in gastric tumors. We hope that this paper will inform the research and medical communities design of new research projects and treatment of gastric cancer.

Ted W. Toal, Ana P. Estrada-Florez, Guadalupe M. Polanco-Echeverry, Ruta M. Sahasrabudhe, Paul C. Lott, John J. Suarez-Olaya, Alix A. Guevara-Tique, Sienna Rocha, Alexa Morales-Arana, Fabian Castro-Valencia, Shiro Urayama, Amanda Kirane, Dongguang Wei, Nora Rios-Sarabia, Rafael Medrano, Alejandra Mantilla, Magdalena Echeverry de Polanco, Javier Torres, Mabel E. Bohorquez-Lozano, Luis G. Carvajal-Carmona; Multiregional Sequencing Analysis Reveals Extensive Genetic Heterogeneity in Gastric Tumors from Latinos. Cancer Research Communications 2 November 2022; 2 (11): 1487–1496. https://doi.org/10.1158/2767-9764.CRC-22-0149

Michelle Wong, an undergraduate researcher, in the Carvajal-Carmona Lab was awarded 1 of 10 Scientist.com STEM Research NIL Award Grants of $5,000. She joined the lab in September 2022 as an undergraduate bioinformatics researcher where she has been assisting the bioinformatics team in researching early-onset gastric cancer in Latinos.

Please see https://www.info.scientist.com/nil-award-winners for more information about Michelle and the other awardees

We’re saying a short farewell to Ana – as she heads back to Colombia to get her Visa sorted out. We’ll miss seeing her in the lab everyday. We’re not saying “Goodbye” – but rather “See you soon” because she’ll be returning to the lab soon.

A big congratulations to Dr. Halmai on her well-deserved presentation award. She was one of two presentation winners from this year’s UCDavis Comprehensive Cancer Center’s 2022 Spotlight on Early Cancer Investigators – A Cancer Research Mini-Symposium

She presented her current research titled, “Establishing and Characterizing Patient-Derived Models from Racial/Ethic Minority Gastric Cancer Patients to Advance Cancer Precision Health Equity“.

In August 2022, the UC Davis Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine featured Dr. Carvajal-Carmon in their Faculty Feature. The featurette details Luis’ work on health disparities in Calfornia as the founding director of the Center for Advancing Cancer Health Equity at the UCDavis Comprehensive Cancer Center. The centers mission is “is to contribute to improved health outcomes for the underserved populations of northern and central California and to influence cancer policy-making at multiple levels of government.”

To read the article: UCD BMM August News Letter

For more information – Please contact Luis Carvajal-Carmona

Not news this week, but Alexa is on her way to becoming Doctor Morales Arana! And April will be starting her master’s program in the fall!

Rasika committed to her graduate program on the east coast. She was accepted in 10+ programs!

Justin was awarded by the Dean of the College of Biological Sciences the Charles and Nanci Cooper Undergraduate Research Award. He is now funded to be in the lab the entire summer.

Ana received her research award at the AACR. She has a shiny plaque that she can show you and help us raise funding for the lab too!.

Nicole gave TWO oral presentations at the AACR, and both were well attended. The feedback from my colleagues who attended was very positive, and she made us proud!.