With the arrival of 2021 and more vaccine availability, everyone is dreaming of the return of “normal.” Students have returned for spring semester and most of our cancer research laboratories are open, albeit with reduced staffing to meet social distancing regulations. Even in the midst of this pandemic, our outstanding researchers continued to work and be recognized. The Johnson Cancer Research Center also hosted a couple of events last fall, and we hope to have more this spring. The pandemic cannot stop our fight to cure cancer!
Dr. Jocelyn McDonald, biology, received a $938,885 National Science Foundation award to support her study, “Coordination of collective cell migration in complex tissues.” Dr. Brad Olson, biology, is co-principal investigator. The award will also support workshops for secondary school girls and K-State engineering students. read more
In recognition of Pet Cancer Awareness Month in November, K-State veterinary oncologists, including Dr. Mary Lynn Higginbotham, pictured here, shared information on cancer in pets. The story discussed common types and signs of cancer. read more
Bruce Snead, director of Engineering Extension and National Radon Program Services, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Mentorship from the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists. read more
Dr. Amir Bahadori, mechanical & nuclear engineering, was selected to serve on a radiation risk expert panel at the 2020 American Nuclear Society (ANS) winter meeting. read more
Following that, he was an invited panelist for the ANS nationally-broadcasted program, “Talking about Low-Dose Radiation,” which addressed how to best communicate risks and benefits of radiation. read more
Dr. Phillip Klebba, biochemistry and molecular biophysics, was selected as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest scientific society. read more
Former undergraduate Cancer Research Awardee Jamie Ball ’10, MD, was selected to receive a K-State Alumni Association Distinguished Young Alumni Award. Dr. Ball participated in our CRA program as a freshman under the mentorship of Dr. Laura Armbrust, clinical sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine. read more
Elshaddai Abamegal, a 2016-2017 Cancer Research Awardee in mechanical & nuclear engineering, was featured in Good For K-State magazine. Abamegal had several undergraduate research experiences that helped her find her niche in the world. The cancer research she did with Dr. Amir Bahadori involved estimating secondary cancer risk to patients treated with radiation. read story
$207,500 awarded to faculty and students in Fall 2020
Last fall, the Johnson Cancer Research Center awarded $52,500 in Innovative Research Awards to Drs. Zhilong Yang, biology, Scott Fan, mechanical & nuclear engineering, and Mark Weiss, anatomy & physiology.
We also facilitated a direct gift of $100,000 from the Flossie West Trust to support the breast cancer research of Dr. Anna Zolkiewska, biochemistry & molecular biophysics.
Twenty-two undergraduate students were selected to participate in our Cancer Research Award program, which offers faculty-mentored research experiences during spring semester. The students get $1,500 awards and their faculty mentors get $1,000 per student to cover research expenses. Read the news release to see a list of the awardees and their mentors and hometowns.
2020 Virtual Undergraduate Cancer Research Award Orientation
Spring award applications now open
The Johnson Cancer Research Center offers competitive funding to its faculty members and their students every semester. This semester, we’ll offer faculty Innovative Research Awards, Travel Fellowships, Cancer Research Collaboration of Excellence Awards, and the new Cancer Research Expansion Awards for associate members. For students, we’ll offer Graduate Cancer Research Awards and Travel Awards. Applications are due March 1.
More than 80 people attended our virtual 11th Annual Pink Power Luncheon Oct. 23. Keynote speaker Liz Benditt, a four-time cancer survivor and the president of Balm Box, gave the presentation, “The Finish Line is the Starting Line.” She shared her inspirational story of going from cancer patient to “cancer-preneur” and demonstrated that the finish line does not have to be the end of the journey; it can represent a new beginning.
This free event, co-sponsored by Susan G. Komen Kansas & Western Missouri, usually offers lunch. We couldn’t do that this time, but we did still distribute health information and door prizes.
7th Annual Fighting for a Cure campaign raises funds and awareness
Lisa and Terrah, breast cancer survivors and best friends from Junction City, Kan., show their support of K-State’s fight against cancer.
Our thanks to everyone who bought Fighting for a Cure shirts and united in wearing them Oct. 24 to raise awareness and funds for K-State cancer research! More than $9,000 was raised, despite the challenges of the pandemic! Thanks also to our retail partner 1419 Mercantile, in Manhattan, and to the K-State Cancer Fighters for helping sell events.
See photos of shirt campaign supporters, including Coach Bill & Sharon Snyder, Voice of the Wildcats Wyatt & Karen Thompson, K-State Band Director Dr. Frank Tracz, several radio personalities and business owners, and more on our Facebook.
After 21 years of service at K-State, Jean Bridges has retired as an office specialist at the Johnson Cancer Research Center.
Bridges joined the center in 2002 after two years at the Eisenhower Hall Copy Center. Her last day on campus was Dec. 23.
Bridges showed great dedication to the Johnson Cancer Research Center, eagerly helping however needed while also carrying out her main duties of managing its internal database, processing thank-you letters, answering the phone, and assisting with event coordination and maintenance of the facility, supplies and materials. She is talented in hospitality and took good care of many center guests and supporters. She is known to many as friendly, jovial and full of jokes.
The center would like to recognize Bridges’ 21 years of service to K-State and her commitment to the cancer research center. Colleagues and friends are invited to send farewell cards to the Johnson Cancer Research Center, 1 Chalmers Hall, 1711 Claflin Road, Manhattan, KS, 66506-3901.
Dear Friends,
