Cancer Researchers Training at Roswell Park Stand Out on National Stage

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Three Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers who are already highly accomplished early in their careers will be honored during three major research meetings — the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 61st annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 7–10, the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) in San Antonio, Texas, Dec. 10–14, and the ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium in San Francisco, California, Feb. 28–March 2.

Yara Abdou, MD, a hematology-oncology fellow with Roswell Park’s Department of Medicine, will receive an AACR Associate Award during SABCS, presented to selected associate members of the American Association for Cancer Research. Dr. Abdou will be recognized for her study “Racial Differences in Infiltration Of CD8+ T-Cells in Breast Tumors of Black and White Women” (abstract P2-10-02), to be presented at a SABSC poster session on Dec. 12. Then in late February, she will receive a Merit Award at the ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium for her study “Prognostication Model Based on Genomic Expression in the Tumor Microenvironment of ER-Positive, HER2-Negative Stage III Breast Cancer via Machine Learning” (abstract 285305).

Dr. Abdou was also invited to give a podium presentation at the annual meeting of the European Society for Medical Oncology earlier this year, earning a merit award for that work ask well. She is currently investigating how tumor mutation profiles can impact tumor biology and microenvironment and, for another project, studying outcomes in African-American women with breast cancer.

Maximilian Merz, MD, a postdoctoral research scholar with the multiple myeloma team within Roswell Park’s Department of Medicine, will receive the 2019 Celgene Future Leaders Award for Clinical Research in Hematology in connection with the ASH meeting in recognition of “the tremendous impact and significant contributions he has made in the field of clinical hematology throughout his career.” Celgene Corp. will provide a $10,000 grant to Roswell Park in Dr. Merz’s name in connection with this award.

Just eight years out of medical school, Dr. Merz has already published more than 45 research articles in peer-reviewed journals and is a sought-after expert in imaging and genetics for patients with multiple myeloma.

Hemn Mohammadpour, PhD, DVM, a postdoctoral research affiliate with Roswell Park’s Department of Immunology, has been selected to receive a merit-based ASH Abstract Achievement Award for his study “ß2- Adrenergic Signaling Regulates Graft Versus Host Disease after Allogenic Transplantation While Preserving Graft Versus Leukemia Effect," to be presented in a poster session at ASH 2019 (abstract 1915). Dr. Mohammadpour will be recognized with a similar award at SABCS, for his study “B2 adrenergic receptor-mediated signaling regulates the immunosuppressive potential of myeloid-derived suppressor cells” (abstract P3-01-02), to be presented in a poster session on Dec. 12.

Dr. Mohammadpour’s research on beta adrenergic signaling and the development of graft-versus-host disease may have important implications for the care of patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant and is the basis of a clinical trial now in development.

“These are three very bright and energetic scholars who are already applying their significant gifts to improve patient care and answer important and challenging questions in different areas of oncology and hematology, says Ellis Levine, MD, who directs Roswell Park’s hematology/oncology training programs. “They are stand-outs, and we are proud to see them recognized on such high-profile platforms.”

The ASH Annual Meeting is the biggest gathering of physicians and researchers focused on understanding and treating blood cancers and other blood-related diseases. SABCS is one of the most important meetings focused on breast cancer, uniting physicians from both academic and private organizations. The ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium is a three-day meeting focused on clinical and translational research in immuno-oncology, or the study of approaches to engage the immune system in treating cancer, and its implications for clinical care.

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Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a community united by the drive to eliminate cancer’s grip on humanity by unlocking its secrets through personalized approaches and unleashing the healing power of hope. Founded by Dr. Roswell Park in 1898, it is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. Learn more at www.roswellpark.org, or contact us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or ASKRoswell@RoswellPark.org.