CANCER CENTER NEWS
Attendance grows for the 4th Annual HERO Appreciation Event
The 4th Annual HERO Appreciation Event was held in April at the Dole Cannery Ballrooms . The Helping to Enhance Research in Oncology ( HERO ) event honors those who make a significant contribution to cancer research by participating in UH Cancer Center clinical trials .
Over 375 attendees , including for the first time a small number of pediatric , adolescent and young adult clinical trial participants , heard from Randall Holcombe , MD , MBA , UH Cancer Center director and Jessica Rhee , MD , MS , medical director of the Cancer Center ’ s clinical trials office , about the importance of clinical trial participation in advancing cancer treatment outcomes and improving overall survival .
The largely adult audience was moved to hear Wade Kyono , MD , pediatric oncologist at Kapi ‘ olani Medical Center for Women and Children , highlight the challenges presented by cancers that afflict children , adolescents and young adults , as well as the progress in their survival and cures related to clinical trials .
Diane Ono shared her story about her daughter Mari , who was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia ( ALL ) as a four-year-old . She decided the best decision was to enroll Mari on a UH Cancer Center coordinated cancer clinical trial . Today , Mari is an accomplished young adult who serves as the corporate communications officer for a local bank .
Summer Internship Program at the UH Cancer Center
The UH Center Summer Internship program has been providing an opportunity for high school and undergraduate college students to participate in research for over 20 years . The internship program has been supported by various funding sources including the Meiji Yasuda Endowment and the Friends of the UH Cancer Center .
In the past 11 years , over 250 students have been mentored by UH Cancer Center faculty for eight weeks during the summer . This year , out of 89 applicants , 18 were selected through a highly competitive process to be mentored by laboratory and population science faculty members to conduct innovative cancer research .
2019 summer intern , Lisa Namatame , under the mentorship of Gertraude Maskarinec , MD , PhD , explored the “ Difference in the Association of Diet Quality with Body Fat Distribution between Men and Women ”. Namatane currently attends UH Mānoa pursing a bachelor ’ s degree in Public Health , and continues to volunteer weekly at the Cancer Center under the supervision of Dr . Maskarinec . Namatane shares her experience as a summer intern :
“ I had the honor of becoming one of the UH Cancer Center ’ s 2019 summer interns , and it was an eye-opening experience . I applied to the internship program in order to gain valuable research experience , but I was able to acquire more than I could have ever asked for . I was exposed to a variety of cutting-edge research information sessions , brilliant faculty , engaging activities to stimulate my brain , and a chance to collaborate with the other interns . However , the most important aspect of the internship was that I was able to work independently under the supervision of my mentor so that I could overcome the errors and obstacles that came up to attain and hone my research skills . I am very thankful for the internship because it has taught me to keep feeding my curiosity and it has inspired me to look into a possible career in research .”
Summer intern Lisa Namatame by her research poster
2019 summer interns
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