Black in Cancer Conference 2024

Keynote addresses

During the two-day event, attendees had the opportunity to hear from renowned clinicians, principal investigators, patient advocates, and industry experts. Some of my most memorable keynote addresses include:

Dr John D. Carpten, Director of City of Hope’s National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, who kicked off the conference with an inspiring address. He shared his journey in academia and detailed genomic research on cancer disparities among diverse patient populations. Dr Carpten also highlighted the crucial role of socioeconomics in achieving equity in cancer care and treatments. He discussed the necessity of inclusive study designs that incorporate social, environmental, physiological, and biological data to effectively address and overcome health disparities.

Professor Melissa Davies, Director of the Institute of Translational Genomic Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, provided insights into the SAMBAI project, a recipient of the 2024 Cancer Grand Challenges grant funded by Cancer Research UK and the National Institutes of Health. Her talk focused on understanding the interplay between genetics, biology, and social determinants in cancer risk and outcomes among diverse populations. Professor Davies’ project focuses on breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers, which disproportionately affect Black people, and aims to drive interventions that reduce cancer inequalities through a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach.

Scientific Seminars

The conference also involved scientific seminars which showcased the innovative research from many early career researchers. Highlights included:

• Dr. Sadhana Jackson: Discussed new perspectives on drug delivery in malignant gliomas through her research on the blood-brain barrier.
• Dr. Emmanuel Akala: Presented his novel nanotechnology platform for treating HER2-positive breast cancer.
• Dr. Cornelius Taabazuuing: Explored the potential of harnessing pyroptosis for cancer immunotherapy.
• Dr. Whitney Henry: Delved into the role of ferroptosis in shaping the tumour microenvironment and its implications for cancer treatment.

These presentations led to lively discussions during the Q&A session and allowed attendees to delve deeper into different research topics.

Poster Sessions and Networking

The poster sessions and networking opportunities created a vibrant environment for exchanging ideas and fostering collaborations. with other PhD students and PIs and gain some guidance on certain aspects of my experimental methods.

The poster sessions and networking opportunities created a vibrant environment for exchanging ideas and fostering collaborations. I was able to discuss my research which is focused on understanding on how radiotherapy impacts immune cells killing of cancer cells , with other PhD students and PIs and gain some guidance on certain aspects of my experimental methods.

It was also a great opportunity to speak to clinicians within the radiotherapy field, which is my area of interest, and engage in insightful discussions on the transferability of my research to a clinical setting.

I had the opportunity to connect with other Black PhD students in the UK and in the US, many of whom I have remained in contact with.

Key Highlights

• Discovering the SAMBAI Project: A key highlight from the conference was learning about the SAMBAI project led by Professor Melissa Davies. It includes diverse cohorts of people from African descent living in different countries in Africa, the UK, and USA. The potential impact of this research on understanding and addressing cancer disparities is immense, and I enjoyed learning about the progress being made, especially the inclusion of patient voices and an open-access approach to the biobank data upon project completion.

• Addressing Health Inequalities: The conference reinforced the importance of tackling health inequalities head-on. It was eye-opening to see the emphasis on inclusive study designs that consider socio-economic factors. It strengthened my commitment to contribute to research that not only advances scientific knowledge but also promotes equity in cancer care and treatment.

• Embracing the Core Conference Goals: The event was a powerful reminder of the importance of increasing the visibility of Black cancer researchers and fostering mentorship and collaboration. The supportive environment and the shared commitment to building community were evidence throughout the conference.

• Presenting and Networking: Presenting my research for the first time in an international conference was a pivotal moment. It was both nerve-wrecking and exciting! I was able to discuss my project with other researchers and there was a genuine curiosity and interest in my work and it encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone.

Closing Thoughts

Joanne Oke and Dr. Kelechi Njoku from the MCRC received travel grants to attend the Black in Cancer Conference. Here’s what they had to say about the two-day event:

Joanne Oke (MB-PhD Student): “Attending my first international conference was an amazing experience. Being around over 200 oncologists, cancer researchers, students, patient advocates, and funders was so inspiring, and I was able to learn more about the latest research happening around the world. Presenting my poster for the first time was a significant milestone, and I’m really thankful for the chance to do it. I met some awesome PhD students and came away with so much new knowledge. Overall, it was a fantastic opportunity!”

Dr. Kelechi Njoku (NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer and Clinical Oncology Registrar): “It was a wonderful experience attending the Black in Cancer conference at the NIH and to be able to present some of my research findings. I enjoyed listening to many inspirational talks and got to network with fellow researchers and clinicians in a friendly environment.”