NEW MEMBERS

New Cancer Center Research Members

Our comprehensive research program includes basic laboratory studies on the mechanisms of cancer development: how genetic mutations drive cancer formation, for instance, or how complex tumor environments promote cancer growth and allow cancers to evade anti-cancer drugs. It also encompasses population-based studies exploring areas like the environmental factors leading to the development of cancer, how best to detect cancer early when it can be most easily cured, and how to advance the treatment of patients through clinical trials. Our 172 members drive progress toward these goals.

This year, the UVM Cancer Center welcomed these talented investigators to its membership:

ELIAS KLEMPERER, PH.D. CANCER POPULATION SCIENCE, FULL MEMBER [1]

Improving strategies and testing interventions to reduce combusted tobacco use via tobacco control interventions and tobacco regulatory science.

ERIC THRAILKILL, PH.D. CANCER POPULATION SCIENCE, FULL MEMBER [2]

Targeting novel decision-making factors for intervention to reduce risk for combusted tobacco use and other cancer-risk behaviors.

JONATHAN BOYSON, PH.D. CANCER HOST AND ENVIRONMENT, FULL MEMBER

Focusing on T-cell biology, especially those cells (e.g. gamma delta T-cells) that play critical roles in tumor immunology, infectious disease, and autoimmunity. [photo page 4]

MANSOUR GERGI, M.D., FULL MEMBER [3]

Exploring cardiovascular care in cancer patients and evaluating bleeding as a complication of antithrombotic use in cancer patients.

ELISE TARBI, PH.D. CANCER POPULATION SCIENCE, ASSOCIATE MEMBER [4]

Understanding and improving serious illness communication so that patients with advanced cancer and their families feel seen and heard.

VITOR MORI, PH.D., TRAINEE [5]

Vermont Lung Center (VLC); Focusing on mathematical and computational models of the respiratory system.

KATHLEEN QUINN, TRAINEE

Ph.D. candidate in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences, Frietze Lab; Researching epigenetic regulation in breast cancer.

SPOTLIGHT: NEW FUNDING

Dr Holmes’ new grant focuses on a novel platelet receptor potentially associated with an increased risk for thrombosis and cancer patients.

One in five patients with cancer will develop a blood clot that interferes with optimal cancer treatment and can lead to early death. Predicting who will get a blood clot is the focus of an R21 grant from the National Cancer Institute received by UVM Cancer Center member Chris Holmes, M.D., Ph.D.

Focused on a new biomarker found on circulating platelets in the body, this protein, called FcɣRIIa, has been associated with increased blood clotting in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Working in collaboration with David Schneider, M.D. (Cardiology), Holmes and her team will study over 500 patients at the UVM Cancer Center with the goal of identifying patients who may develop blood clots during their cancer treatment to allow prevention of this complication of cancer and its therapies.