May 19, 2016

Students’ cancer research efforts land honors

Two Vanderbilt students were recognized for their contributions to cancer research during the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) Annual Scientific Retreat held May 6 at the Vanderbilt University Student Life Center.

Two Vanderbilt students were recognized for their contributions to cancer research during the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) Annual Scientific Retreat held May 6 at the Vanderbilt University Student Life Center.

Huzefa Dungrawala, Ph.D., was named VICC Postdoctoral Student of the Year. (photo by Joe Howell)
Huzefa Dungrawala, Ph.D., was named VICC Postdoctoral Student of the Year. (photo by Joe Howell)

Huzefa Dungrawala, Ph.D., was named VICC Postdoctoral Student of the Year for his outstanding research in the laboratory of David Cortez, Ph.D., Ingram Professor of Cancer Research.

The VICC Graduate Student of the Year award was granted to M.D./Ph.D. candidate Jean-Nicolas Gallant for exceptional research accomplishments in the laboratory of Christine Lovly, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of Medicine and Cancer Biology.

This year’s event focused on the topic of cellular metabolism and oncogenic signaling, examining the ways in which cells use energy as well as molecular signaling pathways in cancer cells.

The VICC Graduate Student of the Year award was granted to M.D./Ph.D. candidate Jean-Nicolas Gallant. (photo by Joe Howell)
The VICC Graduate Student of the Year award was granted to M.D./Ph.D. candidate Jean-Nicolas Gallant. (photo by Joe Howell)

Guest speakers included Lewis Cantley, Ph.D., Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medical College; Chi Van Dang, M.D., Ph.D., Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania; Robert Gillies, Ph.D., Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute; and Craig Thompson, M.D., Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

The retreat was organized by Ann Richmond, Ph.D., Ingram Professor of Cancer Research, VICC associate director for Research Education, vice chair of the Department of Cancer Biology and Senior Research Career Scientist with the VA Medical Center.