Home  |  About SITC  |  Contact Us

Annual Meeting Activities

The Early Career Scientists Committee organized the following events at SITC’s 27th Annual Meeting to connect early career scientists with leaders in the field of cancer immunotherapy on a variety of career development topics.

Evening Networking Event

Friday, October 26, 2012
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

All students and early career scientists were invited to attend this informal networking event. Located at the meeting venue, this event was a great way to meet with peers in the field. Pizza and salad were provided and a cash bar was available. Pre-registration was required for this event.

“Meet-the-Expert” Breakfast

Saturday, October 27, 2012
7:00 am - 7:45 am

Program Purpose

The “Meet-the-Expert” Breakfast focused on unique issues related to the career development of early career scientists. Key leaders in the field facilitated roundtable discussions on particular areas of interest. Experts answered questions and led informal dialogues to help provide guidance and direction. A continental breakfast was provided. Separate registration was required for this event.

Intended Audience

The audience for this educational program included graduate, medical, and postbaccalaureate students; clinical fellows; postdoctoral fellows; assistant professors; and other early career professionals.

Topics (ticketed event)

• Developing Successful Collaborations
  Leader: Pamela S. Ohashi, PhD - Ontario Cancer Institute
• Finding Your Niche
  Leader: Edward Nelson, MD - University of California Irvine
• Grant Writing
  Leader: Paul Sondel, MD, PhD - University of Wisconsin
• Publishing Papers
  Leader: Francesco Marincola, MD - National Institutes of Health
• Translational Research
  Leader: Padmanee Sharma, MD, PhD - MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Managing a Research Lab
  Leader: James W. Hodge, PhD, MBA - National Cancer Institute
• Work-Life Balance
  Leader: Bryon Johnson, PhD - Medical College of Wisconsin

Program Goals

• Produce scientifically significant discussions and provide guidance relevant to the career development of early career scientists.
• Provide early career scientists with an opportunity to meet key experts in the field and facilitate interactions in an informal small-group setting.
• Mentor early career scientists on the state of research in today’s environment through expert guidance on timely and relevant topics in cancer immunotherapy.

Expected Learner Outcomes:

Upon completion of this program, the participants were able to:

• Locate resources available that will facilitate career development related to grant writing, finding one’s niche, publishing papers, collaborations, translational research, and/or laboratory management.
• Develop a framework for action, with an understanding of the complexities and potential pitfalls related to the key issue under discussion.
• Summarize answers provided by experts in the field to specific questions related to the career development topic.
• Implement improved processes of communication between early career scientists and established researchers and experts.

Organizers

Christian Capitini, MD - University of Wisconsin
William Redmond, PhD - Earle A. Chiles Research Institute