Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Dr. Cornelius Taabazuing, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania, cuts right to the chase when asked what advice he would give someone considering whether to join Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) as a postdoctoral researcher. “It’s a no-brainer. You work with brilliant people," he says. "It’s a world-class environment for science. If you have the opportunity, don’t even think about it. Just do it.” Dr. Taabazuing studied pyroptosis in 2015 in the lab of Dr. Daniel Bachovchin, the Geoffrey Beene Junior Faculty Chair at MSK. “I really enjoyed the research I did with Dan, especially about the innate immune signaling pathways,” says Dr. Taabazuing. “I learned a lot in Dan’s lab. For instance, I was already a good writer. But I definitely improved in how to write a grant, which is a crucial skill.” Dr. Taabazuing credits his five years as a postdoctoral researcher at MSK’s Sloan Kettering Institute with helping him take the next step in his blossoming career. Today, Dr. Taabazuing is a Presidential Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at UPenn, where his academic appointment is based in the Perelman School of Medicine. He reports that his lab at UPenn has a great team and is thriving, and so is his family. He and his wife have two sons, including a 1-year-old. As he looks back, “MSK really set me up for success,” he says. “It was such a great lab, and such a great environment to learn in. MSK was fantastic.”

Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) are making strides against cancer every day. New research from MSK identifies a gene mutation associated with resistance to breast cancer treatment, as well as a possible strategy for overcoming the resistance; reports encouraging results for expanding use of a new prostate cancer radiotherapy; and more. https://bit.ly/3BOXmsE

Experts from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) are attending HLTH 2024 in Las Vegas on October 20-23. Join MSK Direct at pod #5853 to explore opportunities for collaboration and growth. #HLTHUSA

A visionary new approach to solving problems in cancer science is underway at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), as the inaugural class begins the Pat and Ian Cook Doctoral Program in Cancer Engineering. Leading researchers — drawn to MSK by the opportunity to be a part of the first-of-its-kind cancer engineering program — are now helping mentor the new students. The program offers faculty members the chance to teach and collaborate with promising young scientists at the start of their careers. “We are seeing the excitement generated by having a dedicated engineering program and the added appeal it holds for top scientists to come to MSK knowing they will benefit from our investment in this emerging field,” says Dr. Michael Overholtzer, Dean of the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at MSK. Learn how four recent faculty recruits at the Sloan Kettering Institute were inspired to join MSK after completing the new cancer engineering program: https://bit.ly/4hmltzh

Join MSK lymphoma specialist Dr. Anita Kumar and MSK nurse and dietitian Peter Adintori for their speaking sessions on recent developments in lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia research at the 2024 Educational Forum on Lymphoma on Saturday, October 26. Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/3A4aOrZ

Dr. Neil Iyengar and Dr. Sherry Shen, breast medical oncologists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), are conducting research on the complex relationship between the body’s metabolism and cancer, and have insights to help people manage weight gain during breast cancer treatment. “The treatments we give people for breast cancer are lifesaving and absolutely vital,” explains Dr. Iyengar. “It’s also important that people facing breast cancer understand that breast cancer and its treatments have effects on the body’s metabolism that need to be addressed both to help with cancer treatment and for patients’ long-term health.” In this article, Dr. Shen and Dr. Iyengar share the guidance they give their patients facing breast cancer, including tips for controlling weight, the latest MSK research on the topic, a promising approach using the app Noom, and an analysis of the new GLP-1 agonist weight loss drugs including Ozempic and Wegovy. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4ePdF7u

An expert team within the Nursing Department at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) has recently launched a new program called MSK Evidence-based Practice (EBP) Consulting. The program is an expansion of MSK's Nursing Department’s methodology that uses current and best evidence from studies—combined with patient care data, clinician expertise, and patient preferences—to guide healthcare practices and decisions, while maximizing alignment with an organization’s values, mission, and commitment to excellence. “Nurses are critical to the development and implementation of EBP to improve the outcomes of those they care for and work with across the care continuum,” says Tracy Gosselin, Chief Nursing Executive at MSK. “The MSK EBP Consulting team is now taking their culture changing work outside the walls of MSK and sharing it more broadly.” Learn more about this new initiative: https://bit.ly/3NoqXeP

Danny Diaz comes from a childhood filled with his grandmother's cooking, mother's salsa music, and neighborhood block parties in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Danny, now a Senior Director of Application Services with Digital Informatics & Technology Solutions (DigITs) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), can trace his roots back to Puerto Rico, where his parents and grandparents were born. "I am the first born on both sides of my family and the first born stateside,” Danny shares, reflecting on his family's migration to Brooklyn, New York in the 1960s. Danny's first introduction to the field of healthcare IT was in 1995. “I got to see technology evolve from very early on before it was a thing. When I first got involved in this field, you didn't have Google or Chat GPT,” he shares. In his current role at MSK, he is responsible for the Clinical Applications team, who manages applications across the enterprise, some of which will be impacted by the enterprise implementation of Epic. When asked about the significance of Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month, Danny shares: “It’s about pausing to appreciate the culture and values instilled by his family while striving to be better versions of ourselves for our community and colleagues.”

This National Physician Associate (PA) Week, we'd like to celebrate our incredible PAs at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) for their hard work and dedication towards making a difference in patient lives every day. The PAs at MSK play an integral role in all facets of care for patients. This year for PA Week, we are spotlighting the PAs on the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery service, who assist in the operating room, see patients in clinic, manage inpatients, and more. Thank you to all of our MSK PAs!

Researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) presented key findings at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Quality Care Symposium. The study revealed that second opinions can significantly enhance cancer care outcomes. These results underscore the potential of remote second opinion programs to enhance cancer care, particularly for underserved communities facing geographic barriers to accessing high-quality subspecialty care. Learn more about this research: https://bit.ly/3YktM6X #ASCOQLTY24