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Through the Cancer Research Trainee Exchange Program, two University of Illinois Cancer Center trainee members - predoctoral trainee Adriana Duraki and Postdoctoral Research Associate Andrew McLeod, PhD, MS, RD - were selected to present and participate in the Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Research Retreat at the Carbone Cancer Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in March. 

The Trainee Exchange Program provides next-generation scientists with valuable exposure to diverse research environments, fosters collaboration across cancer centers, and strengthens the career paths of scientists focused on cancer research.  

The retreat featured an agenda focused on cancer prevention and early detection, including a keynote address by John B. Wong, MD, a Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, and an industry panel on the development of early cancer detection technologies. There were also trainee flash talks and breakout sessions covering multi-modal detection methods and innovations across the cancer continuum. A trainee-focused career panel, poster session, and networking reception further supported professional development and collaboration. 

Duraki is mentored by Larisa Nonn, PhD, a Professor of Pathology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and the Associate Director for Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination at the Cancer Center.  McLeod is mentored by Marian Fitzgibbon, PhD, a Professor of Pediatrics in the College of Medicine and the Associate Director for Population Sciences at the Cancer Center. The Cancer Center is part of UIC and its academic health enterprise, UI Health.

At the retreat, Duraki presented her research, “Vitamin D Deficiency Leads to a Proinflammatory Microenvironment in the Prostate That Supports Carcinogenesis.” 

"It was a privilege to be selected to share my work through both a talk and a poster with a diverse audience of trainees, researchers, clinicians, and faculty. One of the most rewarding outcomes of this experience was the opportunity to connect with members of the Cancer Health Disparities Initiative at the UW Carbone Cancer Center. Following my presentation, I was invited to share my research with their group at an upcoming meeting focused on community outreach, education, and addressing disparities in cancer outcomes. Their interest stemmed from my work investigating how vitamin D deficiency may contribute to differences in prostate cancer outcomes, particularly among populations that experience disproportionately high rates of aggressive disease and mortality. I am very excited to help raise awareness about vitamin D deficiency and its potential role in cancer outcomes, particularly in communities most affected by health disparities. Education and outreach play a critical role in empowering patients with knowledge that can support informed health decisions. Overall, this experience was both professionally and personally meaningful."

McLeod presented research on "The Gut Microbial and Dietary Origins of Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment". 

"What I found valuable was the immersion in cancer biology that I experienced. The retreat was focused on cancer biology as it pertains to prevention and early detection. I have a newfound sense of the importance of including aspects of cancer biology in my research. The rigor of my research will definitely improve after having attended this retreat. I also found it valuable to simply see what another cancer center looks like in person. I have a new orientation now to cancer research and care. Lastly, the networking was incredibly valuable. I not only have many new potential collaborations at my fingertips, I also connected with cancer survivorship researchers. They invited me to one of their standing meetings on cancer disparities, and I look forward to attending those meetings in the near future. All in all, this is a wonderful program that I highly recommend to any prospective attendees."