The 2020 Gary Kruh Student Poster Competition, sponsored by the University of Illinois Cancer Center, was different than in years past, but the scientific works were no less impactful.
Students traditionally enjoy personally showing their work to those interested in learning about it, and answer any questions that may arise. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students were forced to display their work virtually. A panel of judges critiqued the posters and selected two students from three categories – Cancer Biology, Translational Oncology and Cancer Prevention and Control – and named them winners, presenting each with $500 for their efforts. The event is named after the UI Cancer Center’s first director, Dr. Gary Kruh, who specialized in the treatment of lung cancer patients while conducting research focusing on understanding the molecular mechanisms that enable cancer cells to resist chemotherapy agents.
“Gary Kruh was not only a great clinician, but an outstanding scientist,” said Jan Kitajewski, PhD, acting director of the UI Cancer Center. “As the first director of the UI Cancer Center, he worked tirelessly to unite all of UIC’s health science colleges to use their vast knowledge and resources to find a cure for cancer. He would have been extremely proud of the work these students have performed. They all have an exciting scientific future ahead of them.”
Kitajewski, along with student poster competition winner Benjamin Gordon, and patient advocates Kimberly Richardson, Wenora Johnson, and Alexa Jett, have developed and recorded a program to assist individuals in creating scientific posters.
2020 Dr. Gary Kruh Poster Competition Winners:
Cancer Biology
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Benjamin Gordon
Jag1 as a Novel Extravasation Factor During Triple Negative Breast Cancer Metastasis
Presenter: Benjamin Gordon
Mentor: Jan Kitajewski, PhD
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Jose Colina
Role of Hyperandrogenism in the Development of Fallopian Tube Derived High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Jose Colina Mentor: Joanna Burdette, PhD
Role of Hyperandrogenism in the Development of Fallopian Tube Derived High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
Jose Colina
Mentor: Joanna Burdette, PhD
Translational Oncology
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Hillary Sanatkumar Shah
Evaluation of Ferroptocide (FTC) As a Potential Treatment For Prostate Cancer Cells
Hillary Sanatkumar Shah
Mentor: Gnanasekar Munirathinam, PhD
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Daniel Principe
Gemcitabine Resistance Requires the Sustained Uptake of Calcium via L-Type Channels and is Reversed by High Dose Amlodipine
Presenter: Daniel Principe
Mentor: Ajay Rana, PhD
Cancer Prevention and Control
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Hoda Sayegh
Cervical Cancer and High-Risk HPV Strains in Chicago: the importance of the “Other”
Hoda Sayegh
Mentor: Gelila Goba, MD
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Asha Solomon
Engaging Multi-Sector Stakeholders to Enhance Support for Young Breast Cancer Survivors: Results of a Virtual Participatory Design Workshop
Presenter: Asha Solomon
Mentor: Ardith Doorenbos, PhD, RN