Annual Cancer Research Symposium

Symposium-2023 Event Header © UC Regents

The Annual Cancer Research Symposium is a long-standing event that brings together the many talents and passions of investigators devoted to solving the problem of cancer across the entire spectrum from prevention to survivorship. This event introduces new faculty, features research by students, and promotes programmatic and multidisciplinary interactions.

Each year, the focused sessions examine Population Sciences and Health Disparities; Basic and Translational Science; Clinical Research; and Cancer Career Development and Training. In addition to the focused sessions, the symposium highlights groundbreaking cancer research from within UC Davis. The event also includes poster sessions with prizes enabling junior and senior scientists to highlight their research while rewarding innovative science.

29th Annual Cancer Research Symposium

October 5 and 6, 2023In-Person Event, Comprehensive Cancer Center 

The Symposium agenda will have our traditional sessions on Population Sciences and Health Disparities, Career Development and Education, Basic/Translational Science, Community Outreach and Engagement, and Clinical Research including keynote speakers and invited speakers. 

29th Annual Cancer Research Symposium

October 5 and October 6, 2023

Download the program for the 29th Annual Cancer Research Symposium (PDF)

Download the agenda

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Time Title Presenter Location
8-8:30 a.m. Breakfast Boardroom Foyer
8:30-8:45 a.m.

Introduction and Welcome

Primo Lara, M.D.
Director, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
Goodnight Auditorium, 1100 Cancer Center
SESSION I: Population Sciences and Health Disparities
Chair: Shehnaz Hussain, Ph.D., Sc.M.
Time Title Presenter Location
8:45-9:30 a.m.

Keynote Presentation: "Searching for Clues for the Etiology and Risk Disparities of Multiple Myeloma and its Precursor"

Recording available here.

Wendy Cozen, DO, M.P.H.
Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine; Department of Pathology, School of Medicine; Department of Epidemiology, School of Population Health; Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences; Co-Director, Experimental Tissue Resource Leader, Translational Cancer Epidemiology, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine


Goodnight Auditorium, 1100 Cancer Center
9:30-9:45 a.m. Q&A
9:45-10 a.m.

"Obesity and the Risk of Early-age-onset Colorectal Cancer: Decoding Relationships and the Impact of Bariatric Surgery"

Recording available here.

Hisham Hussan, M.D.
Associate Professor, Gastroenterology, UC Davis
10-10:05 a.m. Q&A
10:05-10:20 a.m.

"Utilizing Silicone Wristbands to Detect Environmental Contaminants within the Yurok Tribal Community"

Elizabeth Rose Middleton, Ph.D.
Associate Director of Environmental and Climate Justice, 
Professor and Yocha Dehe Endowed Chair in California Indian 
Studies, Native American Studies, UC Davis
10:20-10:25 a.m. Q&A
10:25-10:40 a.m.

"Between Two Worlds: Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology in Latin America"

Recording available here.

Elysia Alvarez, M.D., M.P.H.
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, UC Davis
10:40-10:45 a.m. Q&A
10:45-11 a.m. Break
SESSION II: Career Development and Education Theme: Implementation Science
Chair: Frederick Meyers, M.D.
Time Title Presenter Location
11-11:45 a.m.

Presentations and Panel on: “Career Paths in Implementation Science” 

Ulfat Shaikh, M.D., M.P.H.
Professor, Pediatrics, UC Davis 

Recording available here.

Elisa Tong, M.D., M.A.
Professor, Internal Medicine, UC Davis

Recording available here.

Brittany Garcia, Ph.D.
Research Program Manager, Division of General Internal 
Medicine and Bioethics, UC Davis

Recording available here.

Goodnight Auditorium, 1100 Cancer Center

11:45-1:15 p.m. Poster Session and Lunch Boardrooms, 1101 and 1103 Cancer Center
SESSION III: Basic and Translational Science
Chairs: Xiao-Jing Wang, M.D., Ph.D. and Nicholas Mitsiades, M.D., Ph.D.
Time Title Presenter Location
1:15-1:45 p.m.

Keynote Presentation: "Cancer in the New Era of Precision Medicine: Novel Multimodal Targeted and Immunotherapies"

Recording available here.

J. Silvio Gutkind, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Pharmacology, 
School of Medicine
Associate Director Basic Science, UC San Diego Moores 
Cancer Center
Goodnight Auditorium, 1100 Cancer Center





1:45-2 p.m. Q&A
2-2:15 p.m.

"Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging in Surgical Oncology"
Recording available here.

Laura Marcu, Ph.D.
Professor, Biomedical Engineering, UC Davis 
2:15-2:20 p.m. Q&A
2:20 – 2:35 pm

"Epigenetic Alterations Promote Pancreatic Cancer Progression and Metastasis”

Recording available here.

Chang-il Hwang, Ph.D., D.V.M
Assistant Professor, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UC Davis
2:35-2:40 p.m. Q&A
2:40-2:55 p.m.

"Metabolic Adaptations in Renal Cell Carcinoma” 

Recording available here.

Shuchi Gulati, M.D., M.S.
Assistant Professor, Hematology and Oncology, UC Davis
2:55-3 p.m. Q&A

End of Day 1


Friday, October 6, 2023

Time Title Presenter Location
8-9:30 a.m. Poster Session and Breakfast Boardrooms, 1101 and 1103 Cancer Center
SESSION IV: Community Outreach and Engagement
Chair: Laura Fejerman, Ph.D.
9:30-10:15 a.m.

Presentation and Panel on: "Insights from Successful Community-Research Partnerships” 

Recording available here.

Ysabel Duron 
Founder, The Latino Cancer Institute; Member of the National Cancer Advisory Board

Chester Austin, M.D.
Medical Director, Northern Valley Indian Health

Gerardo Mackenzie, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Nutrition, UC Davis

Julie Dang, M.P.H., Ph.D. 
Assistant Adjunct Professor, Public Health Sciences Executive Director, Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, UC Davis
Goodnight Auditorium, 1100 Cancer Center
SESSION V: Clinical Research
Chair: Megan Daly, M.D.
10:15-10:45 a.m.

David R. Gandara Lectureship on Developmental Therapeutics: “The Future of Lung Cancer Therapy and Pragmatic Trial Designs”

Recording available here.

Karen Reckamp, M.D., M.S.
Director, Division of Medical Oncology 
Associate Director, Clinical Research
Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, CedarsSinai Cance
Goodnight Auditorium, 1100 Cancer Center 

10:45-11 a.m. Q&A
11-11:10 a.m. Break
11:10-11:20 a.m.

"Pulmonary Functional Image Guided Radiotherapy”

Recording available here.

Tokihiro Yamamoto, Ph.D., D.A.B.R
Associate Professor, Radiation Oncology, UC Davis
11:20-11:25 a.m. Q&A
11:25-11:35 a.m.

“Tobacco and Cancer Quality Outcomes with the UCDCCC Stop Tobacco Program”

Recording available here.

Elisa Tong, M.D., M.A.
Professor, Internal Medicine, UC Davis
11:35 – 11:40 a.m. Q&A
11:40-11:50 a.m.

“Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy in Lung Cancer: A New World” 

Recording available here.

Jonathan Riess, M.D., M.S.
Associate Professor, Hematology and Oncology, UC Davis
11:50-11:55 a.m. Q&A
11:55-12:05 a.m.

“A Patient-Centered Approach to Perioperative Care for Patients Undergoing Lung Cancer Resection”

Recording available here.

Lisa Brown, M.D., M.A.S.
Assistant Professor, General Thoracic Surgery, UC Davis
12:05-12:10 a.m.

Q&A

 
12:10-12:20 a.m.

Closing Remarks and Poster 
Awards Announcement

Recording available here.

Primo Lara, M.D.
Director, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

Symposium Close

28th Annual Cancer Research Symposium

October 6 and October 7, 2022

Download the program for the 28th Annual Cancer Research Symposium (PDF)

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Time Title Presenter
8-8:30 a.m. Breakfast  
8:30–8:45 a.m.

Introduction and Welcome

Recording available here.

Primo Lara, M.D.
Director, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
SESSION I: Population Sciences and Health Disparities
Chair: Shehnaz Hussain, Ph.D., Sc.M.
8:45-9:30 a.m.

Keynote Presentation: “The Convergence of COE, PED, and CRTEC in NCI-Designated Cancer Centers while Building Transdisciplinary Research: A Population Scientist’s View”

Recording available here.

Elena Martinez, Ph.D.
Sam M. Walton Endowed Chair for Cancer Research
Professor, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science Associate Director, Population Sciences, Disparities, and Community Engagement, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center
9:30-9:45 a.m. Q&A  
9:45-10 a.m.

“Some Scientific Contributions to the Epidemiology of Hematological Malignancies by Major Subtypes”

Recording available here.

Alain Monnereau, M.D., Ph.D.
Research Program Director, Cancer Registry of Greater California, Public Health Institute
10-10:05 a.m. Q&A  
10:05-10:20 a.m.

“Personalized, Pandemic-Proof, Population Health”

Recording available here.

Eric Chak, M.D., M.P.H.
Associate Professor, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UC Davis
10:20-10:25 a.m. Q&A  
10:25-10:40 a.m.

“Heat Maps: Trends in Late-Stage Diagnoses of Screen-Detectable Cancers in California Counties, 2000-2018”

Recording available here.

Frances Maguire, Ph.D., M.P.H., Epidemiologist, California Cancer Reporting and Epidemiologic Surveillance (CalCARES) Program,
UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis Health
10:40-10:45 a.m. Q&A  
10:45-11 a.m. Break
SESSION II: Diverse Career Development and Education
Chairs: Frederick Meyers, M.D. and Luis Carvajal-Carmona, Ph.D.
11-12 p.m.

Panel: “Advancing Cancer Health Equity through Diverse Workforce Development”

Recording available here.

Alexa Morales Arana, M.D. Candidate, Academic Research Careers for Medical Doctors (ARC-MD), UC Davis School of Medicine

Charlotte Bergheimer, M.S., Ph.D. Candidate, Public Health Sciences, UC Davis

Valentina Zavala-Cordero, Ph.D., M.Sc., Postdoctoral Scholar, Public Health Sciences; AACR-Genentech Cancer Disparities Research Fellow, UC Davis

Olivia Sattayapiwat, Ph.D. Candidate, Epidemiology, UC Davis

12-1:30 p.m. Poster Session and Lunch
SESSION III: Basic and Translational Science
Chairs: Xiao-Jing Wang, M.D., Ph.D. and Nicholas Mitsiades, M.D., Ph.D.
Time Title Presenter
1:30-2 p.m. Keynote Presentation: “Sex Bias and Cancer Immunotherapy: Myth or Fact” Zihai Li, M.D., Ph.D.
Klotz Memorial Chair in Cancer Research
Professor and Founding Director Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
2-2:15 p.m. Q&A
2:15-2:30 p.m.

“Novel Peptide Vaccines against Labyrinthin for Adenocarcinomas”

Recording available here.

Tianhong Li, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Clinical Medicine
Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology
2:30-2:35 p.m. Q&A  
2:35 – 2:50 pm

“Causes and Consequences of Genome Instability”

Recording available here.

Jacqueline Barlow, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UC Davis
2:502:55 p.m. Q&A  
2:55-3:05 p.m. Break
3:05-3:20 p.m. “Targeting Killer within the Tumors for Immunotherapy” Jogender Tushir-Singh, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, UC Davis
3:20-3:25 p.m. Q&A  
3:25-3:40 p.m.

“Genetics, Genomics, and Precision Medicine for Gastric Cancer”

Recording available here.

Luis Carvajal-Carmona, Ph.D.
Chief Diversity Officer and Associate Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
Professor and Auburn Community Cancer Endowed Chair in Basic Science, Genome Center and Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis
3:40-3:45 p.m. Q&A  

End of Day 1


Friday, October 7, 2022

Time Title Presenter
8-9:30 a.m. Poster Session and Breakfast
SESSION IV: Clinical Research
Chair: Megan Daly, M.D.
9:30-10 a.m.

David R. Gandara Lectureship on Developmental Therapeutics: “Developing Role of ctDNA in GI Malignancies and the Potential Impact on Patient Care”

Recording available here.

Cathy Eng, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.S.C.O.
Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, David H. Johnson Endowed Chair of Surgical and Medical Oncology, Co-Director GI Oncology, Co-Leader Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Program, Director, Young Adults Cancers Program, Chair, Developmental Research Program GI SPORE, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
10-10:15 a.m. Q&A  
10:15-10:30 a.m.

“Current Landscape of HCC Treatment: Evolving Fast and Furious (With Some Potholes)”

Recording available here.

Edward Kim M.D., Ph.D.
Medical Director, Office of Clinical Research, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
Associate Professor, Hematology and Oncology, UC Davis
10:30-10:35 a.m. Q&A  
10:35-10:50 a.m.

“Immunotherapy for Colorectal Cancer: Successes and Setbacks”

Recording available here.

Arta Monjazeb, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Radiation Oncology, UC Davis
10:50-10:55 a.m. Q&A  
10:55-11:05 a.m. Break
11:05-11:20 a.m. “Define Synergism Correctly: A New PK-PD Model for Combination Therapy” Aiming Yu, Ph.D.
Director, Molecular Pharmacology Shared Resource Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis
11:20 – 11:25 a.m. Q&A  
11:25-11:40 a.m.

“Parametric PET of Liver Inflammation and Its Implications for Cancer Immunotherapy”

Recording available here.

Guobao Wang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Radiology, UC Davis
11:40-11:45 a.m. Q&A  
11:45-11:55 a.m.

Closing Remarks and Poster Awards Announcement

Recording available here.

Primo Lara, M.D.
Director, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

Symposium Close

27th Annual Cancer Research Symposium

September 30 and October 1, 2021

Download the program for the 27th Annual Cancer Research Symposium (PDF)

Thursday, September 30, 2021


All sessions presented on Zoom. (Not all presentations were recorded.)
SESSION I: Population Sciences and Health Disparities
Chair: Shehnaz Hussain, Ph.D., Sc.M.
Time Title Presenter
8:30 – 8:40 a.m. Introduction and Welcome Primo Lara, M.D.
Director, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
8:40 – 9:10 a.m.

Keynote Presentation: "Improving Effectiveness of Lifestyle Interventions"

Recording available here.

Sarah-Jeanne Salvy, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, SOCCI Cancer Research Center for Health Equity,
Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Cedar-Sinai Medical Center
9:10 – 9:25 a.m. Q&A  
9:25 – 9:40 a.m. "Significance of the Gut-Liver Axis for Progression Along the Disease Continuum from NAFLD to HCC"

Recording available here.

Shehnaz Hussain, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences,
Associate Director for Population Sciences, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
9:40 – 9:45 a.m. Q&A  
9:45 – 10 a.m. "Comparative Metabolomics of Hispanic and Caucasian Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Pilot Study"

Recording available here.

John Newman, Ph.D.
Research Chemist, USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center,
Associate Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition, UC Davis
10 – 10:05 a.m. Q&A  
10:05 – 10:15 a.m. Break  
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.

"Genetic Diversity, Diet and Susceptibility to Hepatic Steatosis in Mice"

Recording available here.

Brian Bennett, Ph.D.
Research Leader, USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center,
Associate Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition, UC Davis
10:30 – 10:35 a.m. Q&A  
10:35 – 10:50 a.m.

"Bile Acid Dysregulation and Cancer Risk"

Recording available here.

Yu-Jui "Yvonne" Wan, Ph.D.
Professor and Vice Chair of Research, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis
10:50 – 10:55 a.m. Q&A  
10:55 – 11:10 a.m.

"Hepatocyte p53 Ablation Induces Metabolic Dysregulation that is Corrected by Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy in Mice"

Recording available here.

Bethany Cummings, DVM, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, UC Davis
11:10 – 11:15 a.m. Q&A  
SESSION II: Career Development and Education
Chair: Frederick Meyers, M.D., MACP
Time Title Presenter
11:15 – 12 p.m. Panel: "Diverse Scholars Finding Success at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center" Erin Doherty, B.S.
Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Chemistry, UC Davis
Luke A. Wittenburg DVM, Ph.D., DACVCP
Associate Professor, Developmental Cancer Therapeutics, Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis
Alan Lombard, Ph.D.
Assistant Professional Researcher, Department of Urologic Surgery, UC Davis
Diedre Reitz, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UC Davis
Nicole Coggins, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar, Genome Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis
12 – 1:30 p.m. Poster Session  
SESSION III: Basic/Translational Science
Chair: Luis Carvajal-Carmona, Ph.D.
Time Title Presenter
1:30 – 2 p.m.

Keynote Presentation: "The Repertoire of Mutational Signature in Human Cancer"

Recording available here.

Ludmil B. Alexandrov, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, UC San Diego
2 – 2:15 p.m. Q&A  
2:15 – 2:30 p.m. "Therapeutic Targeting of Tumor Lineage Plasticity in Therapy-Resistant Prostate Cancer" Hongwu Chen, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis
2:30 – 2:35 p.m. Q&A  
2:35 – 2:50 p.m. "Spatial RNA Profiling Reveals Cell Type-Specific Biomarker Expression During Melanoma Development" Maija Kiuru, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Clinical Dermatology and Pathology, Department of Dermatology, UC Davis
2:50 – 2:55 p.m. Q&A  
2:55 – 3:05 p.m. Break  
3:05 – 3:20 p.m. "Targeting Epigenetic Vulnerabilities in Breast Cancer" Sanchita Bhatnagar, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, UC Davis
3:20 – 3:25 p.m. Q&A  
3:25 – 3:40 p.m.

"Disrupting the Rbm38-eIF4E Complex to Increase p53 Expression as a Potential Cancer Therapeutic Strategy"

Recording available here.

Christopher Lucchesi, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, UC Davis
3:40 – 3:45 p.m. Q&A  

End of Day 1


Friday, October 1, 2021


All sessions presented on Zoom
Time Title Presenter
8 – 9:30 a.m. Poster Session  
SESSION IV: Clinical Research
Chair: Karen Kelly, M.D.
9:30 – 10 a.m.

David R. Gandara Lectureship on Developmental Therapeutics: "Cancer Therapy Resistance: Mechanisms, Challenges and Opportunities"

Recording available here.

Peter Nelson, M.D.
Member, Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Professor, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington,
Head, Program in Prostate Cancer Research PI, Pacific Northwest Prostate Cancer SPORE
10 – 10:15 a.m. Q&A  
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.

"Translation of Bladder Cancer Therapeutics"

Maria Mudryj, Ph.D.
Professor and Vice Chair of Education and Outreach, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, UC Davis

Mamta Parikh, M.D., M.S.
Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, UC Davis
10:30 – 10:35 a.m. Q&A  
10:35 – 10:50 a.m. "Targeting the DNA-Binding Domain of the Androgen Receptor in Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer" Paramita Ghosh, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Urologic Surgery, UC Davis

Ruiwu Liu, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, UC Davis
10:50 – 10:55 a.m. Q&A  
10:55 – 11:05 a.m. Break  
11:05 – 11:20 a.m. "Characterization and Novel Targeting of the AKR1C3/AR/AR-V7 Axis for the Treatment of Lethal Prostate Cancer" Chengfei Liu, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Urologic Surgery, UC Davis
11:20 – 11:25 a.m. Q&A  
11:25 – 11:40 a.m. "A Phase 2 Neo-adjuvant Biomarker Driven Clinical Trial for High-Risk Prostrate Cancer" Marc Dall'Era, M.D.
Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Urologic Surgery, UC Davis
11:40 – 11:45 a.m. Q&A  
11:45 – 11:55 a.m. Closing Remarks and Poster Awards Announcement Primo Lara, M.D.
Director, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

Symposium Close


Annual Spotlight on Early Career Investigators

The Spotlight on Early Career Investigators is an annual symposium highlighting the work students, postdocs, research staff residents, and fellows in cancer research. Through this event, early stage investigators meet experienced investigators, learn about potential research opportunities early in their career, and gain valuable career insights through presentations and networking.

Each year, eight early stage investigators are selected as symposium presenters with others offering poster presentations. Criteria used to judge the applications include scientific innovation, significance, and ultimate potential for clinical impact.

Save the Date: 18th Spotlight on Early Career Investigators, April 25, 2024

Early Investigators