Improving Outcomes for Survivors & A New Frontier in Breast Cancer Detection
Sumin Park from the University of Arizona presents "Support Beyond Treatment" and Alondra Hernandez-Cedillo of Northern Arizona University presents "Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy."
Cancer Cell Fates in Response to Mitotic Arrest & Making Sense of Cancer, One Protein at a Time
From New Mexico State University: Mawutor Agbenor-Efunam presents "Finding my Path: Making Sense of Cancer, One Protein at a Time," and Taylor Lanfair presents: "Identifying Cancer Cell Fates in Response to Mitotic Arrest."
STEAM Scholar Research from The University of New Mexico
UNM STEAM Scholar Cristina Coffman presents: "From Exposure to Erosion: How Uranium-Bearing Dust Impacts the Colonic Mucus Layer and Goblet Cell Physiology."
One Hour a Week: A Sustainable Social Media Strategy for Scholars
Mr. Julian Gutierrez discusses how to build a professional social media presence that supports your research and career by exploring how to define your purpose online, create a simple content plan, and engage meaningfully with academic community in just one hour a week.
Social Media Secrets for Job Searching
Ms. Kayla Cullum Michael explores how to build a personal brand across platforms like Instagram, X, and TikTok, and how to connect with companies and industry leaders while you're job hunting.
Reflecting on well-being within our academic community using the Two-Eyed Seeing approach (Etuaptmumk)
Our panelists, Dr. Naomi Lee, Dr. Nizhoni Chow-Garcia, Ms. Leah Nez, and Dr. Jennifer Daw, will help the audience understand they are not alone when facing mental and behavioral health challenges in academia. The presentation describes how to use the two-eyed seeing framework that incorporates indigenous ways of seeing and western ways of seeing to develop unique scientific viewpoints and identity.
From East Texas to the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center: A First-Generation Journey in Academic Medicine
Dr. David Savage, a first-generation college graduate and medical oncologist, reflects on the unexpected turns that shaped his 20-year journey from small-town East Texas, to software developer, and ultimately to academic medicine in Albuquerque. He shares lesson from training as MD/PhD, caring for patients with advanced skin cancers and sarcomas, and navigating setbacks, pivots, and unexpected revelations along the way.
A Statistician's Journey to Cancer Research and Being Passionately Curious About the Future is the Best Plan
Drs. Soyoung Jeon and Graciela Unguez discuss their unique academic career paths. Dr. Jeon discusses her journey as a statistician and the challenges of collaborations, working across scientific disciplines, and the meaningful scientific discoveries along the way. Dr. Unguez discusses her journey as a biologist and the twists and turns her scientific curiosity has taken. Naïve research risks helped shape her career — as well as the important mentors she had along the way.
Studying the Association between Cervical Cancer Racial/Ethnic Disparities & Womyx MicroBiomes
Dr. Katherine Tossas discusses the Sacred Womb Project, which investigates the role of the vaginal microbiome in driving racial disparities in cervical cancer precursors.
We welcomed two STEAM Scholars, Isela and Franchesca, from New Mexico State University; and one STEAM Scholar, Sruti, from Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine to share their research projects.
Franchesca Orgeta presented:
Splicing of Cancer-related genes in electric fish.
Sruti Somani presented:
Lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.
Isela Garcia presented:
Latina mothers diagnosed with cancer.
We welcomed 3 STEAM Scholars, Phillip, Krystal, and Sheila from Northern Arizona University to share their research projects.
Phillip Kalaniopio presented:
Depleted Uranium Chemical Toxicity In Vivo and In Vitro.
Krystal Charley-Celestino presented:
EmpowHERed in Circle: Native American Women's Conversations on HPV, Healing and Awareness.
Sheila Hammer presented:
Improving Cancer Health Equity in Indigenous Communities through Psychosocial Health.
We welcomed three STEAM Scholars, Marinca, Snigdha, and Sumira from the University of New Mexico to share their research projects.
Marinca Faimau presented:
ynthesizing Double Modified MS2 VLPs to Develop a Multivalent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine.
Mussammat Snigdha Sowrin presented:
Health priorities and support needs and preferences for young adult cancer survivors.
Sumira Phatak presented:
Quenching the flame: VCAM neutralizes age enhanced neuroinflammation.
Ms. Tamara Thorpe discusses strategies for social media branding, guiding attendees on how to craft a powerful and purpose-driven online presence on LinkedIn. Goals included building connections with experts in your field, expanding your network, and boosting your career prospects.
Dr. Dolores Guest provides an overview of the STEAM program, highlights the achievements in 2024, and shares the exciting plans for 2025.
Daniela Bernal, director of member services, provides an overview of the SACNAS, how to start/join a SACNAS chapter, as well as attending the NDiSTEM conference in 2025. Ana Mentado, ACCEL scholar and MPH graduate student at SDSU, shares her experience at the 2024 Science of Cancer Health Disparities American Cancer Association for Cancer Research (AACR) conference.
Dr. Amelie Ramirez and Ms. Nicolette Orozco shared the importance of the Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos (ASCL) conference, past research presentations, and the impact it has made in our communities.
Dr. Dolores Guest discusses disparities in cancer care and survivorship. She discusses specific populations who experience disparities in diagnosis and care as well as provide some context to how this evolved and what it means moving forward.
Dr. Tae Seok Moon discusses how solving many global problems relies on inspiring young researchers and future leaders. He discusses the progress of activities for developing the biotechnology workforce, democratizing biotechnology, and encouraging many different scholars in engineering, biology and biotechnology.
Dr. Kristin Gosselink shares the rewards and challenges of adapting your research efforts over time and how being open to new opportunities and collaborations can have significant benefits in terms of career satisfaction and success.
Dr. Angela Wandinger-Ness shares her personal experiences on navigating a career in science as a woman as well as tips for pursuing success in the field of cancer research.
Dr. Karen Peterson shares strategies for CVs/Resumes and Cover Letters for Academe and Industry.
Dr. Karen Peterson shares negotiating skills during job offers in industry and academe using an interactive negotiation simulation.
Dr. Alison Antes discusses the key features of positive research environments, as well as the practices and behaviors that contribute to their formation and maintenance.
Ms. Pinkerton shares an overview of the National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, both funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She also shares information about cancer control areas of focus in Arizona, Navajo Nation, and New Mexico.
Ms. Rachel Davis shares knowledge of the overall structure of programs and services of the American Cancer Society. This includes grant opportunities for prevention and screening, lodging and transportation, patient navigation, research grants, and all other patient support programs.
Dr. Andrew Sussman discusses community engagement in research and dissemination. His discussion focused on providing an overview of general benefits, opportunities, and approaches to foster academic and community research partnerships.
Dr. Jani Ingram discusses community engagement in research and dissemination. Her discussion focused on cancer disparities in American Indian and Alaskan Native populations and appropriate culturally sensitive approaches.