2024 Junior Scientist Retreat
The Moffitt Postdoctoral Association and the Cancer Biology Student Organization hosted the 2024 Junior Scientist Retreat at Hunter’s Green Country Club on Tuesday, December 3. The event brought together postdocs, research scientists, and graduate students from across Moffitt’s research programs to explore the theme of Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Careers. This engaging retreat provided an excellent opportunity for networking and exchanging ideas with both peers and invited guests.
The retreat was made possible by a dedicated organizing committee, led by Dr. Yaakov Stern and supported by Alicia Bjornberg, Phebe Havor, Samira Naderinezhad, Dr. Eleonora Pelle, Dr. Estefania Julia, Dr. Vanessa Fernandes, Dr. Ranjita Poudel, and Dr. Emma Adhikari. Together, they crafted a dynamic event that fostered valuable learning and professional growth for everyone involved.
The day began with a fun and interactive icebreaker—a Tampa- and science-themed game of Family Feud. It set the stage for an engaging day ahead. The keynote speaker, Dr. Lawrence Hall, co-director of the AI + X Institute and a professor at the University of South Florida's Department of Computer Science and Engineering, gave a thought-provoking talk about AI-driven innovation in biomedical research, expanding attendees’ understanding of its potential impact on cancer research and healthcare.
Following the keynote, guest speakers delivered short talks and participated in a panel discussion on AI in Cancer Research & Care. This session featured impactful presentations by experts such as Dr. Eldad Shulman from the National Cancer Institute, NIH and Dr. Nishit Patel from USF Health’s Department of Dermatology. Their presentations showcased different ways AI is transforming biomedical research and care, and the discussion considered how researchers can incorporate appropriate elements of AI into their work practices to improve productivity and outperform their peers who do not utilize AI.
After attendees and invited guests shared lunch and conversation, Dr. Steven Bradley, a Critical Care Anesthesiologist at Moffitt, led a workshop on the Ethics of AI in Cancer Research. Drawing on his expertise in patient care, Dr. Bradley led a discussion of several scenarios that asked attendees to consider the ethical safeguards needed to protect patients and research participants as AI becomes more and more integrated into all aspects of cancer research and care.
The afternoon concluded with a highly interactive and informative session led by Dr. Leanna Smithberger, Program Administrator for the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at Moffitt. Her workshop, Optimizing Your Resume for an AI-Driven Career Search, provided attendees with practical tools to navigate the AI-driven job market. The session left participants feeling empowered and ready to refine their resumes for their future career search.
The day wrapped up with a relaxed yet engaging JSR Round-Up, where attendees and guest speakers reflected on the new knowledge they had gained throughout the 2024 Junior Scientist Retreat. A common thread throughout the day was the transformative potential of AI, and despite the popular rhetoric of fear surrounding the rise of AI and its widespread adoption, the experts emphasized that AI will not completely replace human researchers, and could give researchers more time to solve complex problems and generate novel ideas.
Thank you to all who attended this year’s Junior Scientist Retreat and to the organizing committee for their dedication in putting together such a unique and enriching event.
