The Polyester Party presented by CivicPlus April 5 was a great success! Retro-costumed partiers danced the night away to live music from Disco Dick & the Mirrorballs, voted on their favorite bra in the Off the Hook bra art contest, and enjoyed scrumptious food and drinks. Moreover, the party raised about $10,000 for K-State cancer research! view photos
Pink Up the Pace photo courtesy of Alex Todd Photography
The Pink Up the Pace 5K & 1-Mile Honor Walk in downtown Manhattan Sat., April 13, was a great success! Our thanks to Downtown Manhattan, Inc., and all the sponsors and participants! The event raised $1,750 for K-State cancer research! view photos
The Pearce-Keller American Legion #17 Auxiliary hosted a Mystery Dinner Theater fundraiser, which raised an impressive $4,575!
The center is led by Stefan Bossmann, professor of chemistry. The focus areas are led by, respectively, Jun Li, professor of chemistry; Duy Hua, university distinguished professor of chemistry; and Jianzhong Yu, assistant professor of anatomy and physiology.
Pancreatic cancer is the third-deadliest cancer in the U.S. Most pancreatic cancers are diagnosed late due to the absence of symptoms. Only 1 percent of people diagnosed at stage IV live another five years.
“Sadly, pancreatic cancer survival rates have remained unchanged in the past decade,” Bossmann said. “New strategies for detection and treatment are urgently needed.”
A major goal of the center is to make earlier detection possible by developing inexpensive liquid biopsy methods that enable frequent and routine testing for onset or recurrence of pancreatic cancer.
A second goal is to develop new drug therapies using cutting-edge chemical synthesis and characterization methods, expert nanotechnology, state-of-the-art in-vitro experimentation and ultra-high-field MRI methods.
Jianzhong Yu &Yulan Xiong and team in anatomy and physiology, have identified two proteins that suppress tumor growth in fruit flies and may have similar effect on human cancers. read more
Bruce Snead, Engineering Extension, was named the 2018 “Radon Hero” by the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors Inc. read more
Kristin Michel, biology, Mike Kanost, biochemistry & molecular biophysics, and team got an NIH grant for mosquito immune system research. read more
Sherry Fleming, biology, received a Department of Defense grant to study how hormones affect males’ and females’ survival of trauma. read more
Raelene Wouda, clinical sciences, received a BioNexus KC and Hall Family Foundation Nexus of Human and Animal Health Research Grant for her collaborative work to create a “universal” cancer vaccination approach by overcoming stumbling blocks to immunotherapy. read more
Xiuzhi “Susan” Sun, grain science and industry, named fellow of National Academy of Inventors in recognition of her prolific spirit of innovation and the impact of her work. read more
Tuyen Nguyen, a doctoral candidate in chemistry (in Sept. 2018) working with Dr. Santosh Aryal at the Nanotechnology Innovation Center of Kansas State, received a first place award in her oral presentation entitled “Cell Membrane Disguised Nanoparticle with Tumor Targeting Motifs” at the UNMC Biopharmaceutical Research and Development Symposium. read more
Yu Shin Wang, senior in animal science & industry working with Dr. Zhoumeng Lin in anatomy & physiology, received the outstanding poster presentation award in the Central States Society of Toxicology annual meeting in Oct. read more
Obdulia Covarrubias Zambrano, doctoral student in chemistry working with Dr. Stefan Bossmann, was among the 10 students selected to represent K-State at the 16th Capitol Graduate Research Summit Feb. 26, 2019, in Topeka. Her presentation is titled “Liquid biopsy: The simplest technique for pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer detection.” read more
Alumni
Vaithish Velazhahan, 2018 graduate in microbiology, medical biochemistry and pre-medicine who worked with Dr. Kathrin Schrick in biology, received a Gates Cambridge Scholarship and is now pursuing his PhD in the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology at Cambridge University in England.
JCRC awarded $175,709 in Fall 2018!
Thanks to our generous supporters, we were able to invest $175,709 in K-State cancer research and education last fall! In addition to the $50,000 we provided for the new Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer Research, we also gave $125,709 in competitive awards to K-State cancer research faculty and students. Our awards advance K-State’s most promising research projects and help train the next generation of scientists. They are offered each semester. Spring award applications are due March 1.
Congrats to K-State’s 2018-2019 undergraduate cancer researchers!
Breakfast with Komen founder Nancy Brinker Oct. 30
The Johnson Cancer Research Center was honored to host a breakfast Oct. 30 for Nancy Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization and former U.S. ambassador. Ms. Brinker chatted with K-State cancer research faculty and students about their research, shared her thoughts and vision related to cancer research and health care, and encouraged us to continue to fight cancer through science and education.
Ms. Brinker was at K-State to give the keynote presentation for the Women of K-State Luncheon and Wellness Panel. She gave an inspirational talk about service, leadership and hope.
Nancy Brinker and JCRC Communications & Outreach Coordinator Marcia LockeDr. Masa Tamura, student Mayme Loyd & Nancy Brinker
9th Annual Pink Power Luncheon Oct. 23
About 180 people attended our Pink Power Luncheon Oct. 23. Our guest speaker was Anne O’Dea, assistant professor and medical director for breast cancer survivorship at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She presented, “Updates in Breast Cancer Risk, Screening and Treatment: Where Do I Fit In?” This free, special event for the community offers lunch, health information, exhibits on local resources and door prizes. It is co-sponsored by Susan G. Komen Kansas & Western Missouri. view photos
We can’t fight cancer alone. We thank our supporters for making it possible for us to pursue our vision to conquer cancer in our lifetime. Big thanks to all the sponsors and supporters of the recent fundraisers listed below!
Please consider supporting K-State cancer research and education. You can give online here or learn more about supporting our center here.
Beta Boo on Halloween Beta Theta Pi fraternity hosted a haunted house and raised $1,600!
Quantum Party in Pink Quantum Health and Wellness Center, Manhattan, held their second annual pink party in October and collected freewill donations totaling $111!
MHK Girls Pint Out
This group of beer fans gets together monthly and dedicates each gathering to a Manhattan-area cause. In October, they chose the JCRC and donated $150!
Rob Regier Memorial Golf Tournament
The Regier family, Overland Park, hosted their 21st annual tournament Oct. 12 at Colbert Hills. It was dedicated in loving memory of Les Regier, Rob’s father, who passed away from cancer in February 2018. Thanks to many generous sponsors and supporters, it raised $36,200!
Manhattan High School Volleyball Pink Night
The team hosted a pink night in memory of Coach Ray Kujawa and sold shirts to raise money for cancer research. They donated $250!
Mason’s Wish Mason Wolfe, Colorado, and her family, along with Western States Fire Protection, raised $24,100 for K-State cancer research! Mason started raising money for us about 10 years ago by selling candles and other items, and later added a golf tournament with Western States Fire Protection. They’ve raised more than $124,000 over the years!
MovemBeer
In November, Tallgrass Tap House, Manhattan, crafted a special beer called Movembeer to celebrate “Movember,” or “No-Shave November,” a movement in which men grow out their facial hair to promote men’s health and cancer awareness. They donated 30% of proceeds, totaling $2,180!
New Beginnings Hairstyling annual pink fundraiser
The generous ladies of this Manhattan salon held another breast cancer awareness fundraiser raffle for us in October and donated $175!
Young Trustees Chili Cook-Off
The Greater Manhattan Community Foundation Young Trustees sponsored their second annual chili cook-off to support many worthy, local charities. We’re grateful for their $100 gift!
Smoky Valley Chiropractic annual fundraiser in Lindsborg, Kan.
Darrel Loder, a chiropractor in Lindsborg, was a student of the late Dr. Terry Johnson, our center’s founding director and namesake. Dr. Loder and his staff dedicate a special day each year to raise cancer awareness and funds for our center. With their patients’ support, they gave $1,270 this year!
Our thanks to everyone who bought Fighting for a Cure shirts to raise awareness and funds for K-State cancer research! Nearly $9,500 was raised in 2018! The associated matching gift campaign, made possible by an anonymous donor, raised another $21,700! Thank you, supporters!
The Johnson Cancer Research Center was pleased to collaborate with K-State Research and Extension to produce a brochure that guides consumers in choosing a variety of fruits and vegetables that help lower cancer risk and promote long-term health.
The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines urge all Americans to “consume a healthy eating pattern” that includes a variety of plant foods of all subgroups. Research suggests that diets rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains may offer protection against cancer and other diseases.
Rob Denell, university distinguished professor emeritus of biology and former director of the Johnson Cancer Research Center, passed away Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, in Kansas City, Kan.
Denell came to K-State in 1973. He was a professor in the Division of Biology, rising quickly through the ranks to full professor by 1983 and named a university distinguished professor in 2000. He served as director of the JCRC from 2003 to 2016.
Denell had a prolific research career in genetics and evolutionary developmental biology, and mentored numerous students and postdoctoral fellows.
As a cancer survivor, serving the cancer research center was especially meaningful to Denell. Moreover, his impact was profound. He helped the young center mature and thrive, seeing impressive growth of its faculty and endowment.
The K-State Family is fighting, ever fighting, for a cure! K-State’s 5th Annual Fighting for a Cure Day is Oct. 13, and this year, you can join the fight in two special ways!
On Oct. 13, wear your Fighting for a Cure shirt to the football game or anywhere in honor of the K-State Family’s cancer survivors and researchers. Cheer on the ‘Cats with us at our Tailgate Party in Cat Town and enjoy the Pride of Wildcat Land Marching Band’s special halftime salute.
Annelise Nguyen, diagnostic medicine/pathobiology, was featured in a Kansas City Area Life Sciences “Expert Exchange” video, in which she discussed her research on cell communication and her patented compound that can both stop tumor development and increase efficacy of anti-cancer drugs so that doses can be smaller and thus less toxic.
Radiation expert Amir Bahadori, mechanical & nuclear engineering, received the Zeldovich Medal from the COSPAR Scientific Commission F, Life Sciences as Related to Space. read more
A bio-delivery technology invented by John Tomich, biochemistry & molecular biophysics, has been licensed by Phoreus Biotechnology. Tomich’s Branched Amphiphilic Peptide Capsules are a nano-material designed to deliver biomolecules that can improve vaccines and cancer therapies, among other uses. read more
Brad Behnke, kinesiology, was awarded the College of Human Ecology’s Faculty Research Excellence Award, in recognition of his superior accomplishment in research. read more
Punit Prakash, electrical & computer engineering, received the Paul L. Spainhour Professorship in Electrical Engineering.
He is currently principal investigator for a five-year study that is expected to lead to a bronchoscopic microwave ablation system for treating lung tumors. The project is funded by a more than $1 million grant from the National Cancer Institute. read more
Sunghun Park, horticulture & natural resources, will serve as co-principal investigator on a National Science Foundation-supported study to improve plant tissue culture methods for genome engineering. The $2.4 million grant is to improve understanding of the genetic basis underlying the ability of plant tissues to regenerate into whole plants, a process critical for plant genome engineering. Read more
Spring Awards and Student Recognition Banquet
Thanks to our generous supporters, we invested $125,017 in K-State cancer research and education last semester! We awarded faculty $50,000 for innovative research projects, $19,000 for laboratory equipment, and $2,665 for travel to collaborate or receive training. We awarded graduate students and post-docs $6,250 for travel and $47,102 in summer stipends. The awardees are listed on our Faculty and Student Awardee webpages. Funds were also set aside for a new Center of Excellence in cancer research.
We honored undergraduate student cancer researchers at our Cancer Research Awards Banquet April 13. Recognized along with the students were their faculty mentors and families, and the donors who made the awards possible. Photos are available in an album on Facebook.
Cancer Journal Club
The Cancer Journal Club is a forum for K-State students, faculty and friends interested in hot topics in cancer biology. Undergraduate students are especially encouraged to participate. For each meeting, a professor or graduate student involved in cancer research chooses a high-impact research article in the field of cancer biology for all club members to read, and then leads discussion about it at the meeting. Undergraduate students can elect to present papers to improve their oral presentation skills.
The club generally meets every other week. For more information, contact Dr. Katsura Asano at kasano@ksu.edu.
This tournament is dedicated in loving memory of Les Regier, who passed away from cancer Feb. 10, 2018.
This annual golf tournament honors Rob Regier, a 1988 K-State pre-dentistry alum who died of cancer in 1992, when he was just 26 years old. Hosted by Rob’s family, this 4-person scramble at Colbert Hills, offers prizes and a steak dinner. It was started in 1998 by some of Rob’s Sig Ep fraternity brothers in Kansas City. Rob’s parents Les and Sandy continued it with help from Rob’s twin brother Randy and Randy’s wife Juli.
Sadly, Les passed away February 10, 2018, after a long battle with melanoma. The 2018 tournament is dedicated in loving memory of him. Non-golfers are welcome to the banquet to join in celebrating Les’s life.
We appreciate all the work the Regiers do, and thank them and the participants and sponsors for their generosity and commitment to K-State cancer research.
Dillons Community Rewards now supports K-State cancer research
Spend just a few minutes to register on the Dillons Community Rewards page, and Dillons will donate to us a portion of the amount you spend every time you shop there!
The annual Pink Power Luncheon for breast cancer awareness, which we co-host with Komen Kansas, offers a free lunch, guest presentations, and information about breast health, healthcare resources and cancer risk reduction, as well as a souvenir item and door prizes.
The 9th Annual Pink Power Luncheon will be Oct. 23, 2018. Our guest speaker will be breast medical oncologist Anne O’Dea, MD, assistant professor and medical director for breast cancer survivorship at University of Kansas Medical Center.
The event is free to attend, but space is limited and reservations are required. Reserve your spot by contacting Marcia Locke at marcia@ksu.edu or 785-532-6705.
