Moffitt and American Cancer Society Showcase Partnership Supporting Early-Career Scientists
Research Education and Training proudly hosted representatives from the American Cancer Society (ACS) for a site visit to Moffitt Cancer Center on March 2. Ken Wright, PhD, and Brian Gonzalez, PhD, serve as the co-PIs of a grant from ACS that made it possible to establish Moffitt’s first formal postbaccalaureate program last year.
Among the guests was Ellie Daniels, MD, MPH, Senior Vice President for American Cancer Society Innovation in Cancer Research Training. In her opening remarks, Dr. Daniels emphasized ACS’s commitment to supporting and advancing cancer research at the trainee level. Dr. Daniels was joined by two local ACS representatives: Steven Rose, Director of Development, and Dr. Moses Allen, Chair of the Tampa Bay Volunteer Leadership Board.
Fellows from the Moffitt ACS Postbaccalaureate (MAP) Program presented their current research and shared their career aspirations. They also discussed how their time in the program has influenced their educational and professional goals. The mission of the program is to provide training for students who have recently earned a bachelor’s degree and need additional experience to take the next step toward becoming cancer researchers.
Following the presentations, Dr. Daniels joined the fellows for tours of the Lynch and Carson labs. The visit also included a tour of the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, located adjacent to Moffitt Cancer Center on the Magnolia campus. The lodge provides free lodging for cancer patients and their caregivers in a supportive, home-like environment designed to help guests focus on their treatment.
The current MAP fellows are:
- Kiana Antoine, Carson Lab
- Jose Calle, Lynch Lab
- Lauren Cardosi, Cress Lab
- Lara Negrón, Wan Lab
Reflecting on the visit, many fellows shared that the feedback they received was a valuable and motivating part of the experience.
“Participating in the American Cancer Society fellowship and presenting during the site visit was an incredibly rewarding experience," said Kiana Antoine (Carson Lab). "It was inspiring to share my work on the DINING Study and see how our research contributes to cancer prevention efforts. Interacting with the ACS representatives gave me the opportunity to discuss my research interests and career aspirations while receiving valuable encouragement and feedback.”
Another MAP fellow, Lara Negrón (Wan Lab) said, “I am very proud that Moffitt was able to host our ACS representatives, and that I was able to share my progress not only toward my goals as a current researcher, but also how my experiences here are essential to my future in cancer research.”
The ACS site visit underscored the value of meaningful collaboration between Moffitt Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society. The event not only showcased the impressive achievements of the MAP fellows but also highlighted the importance of continued investment in early-career scientists. By fostering opportunities for mentorship, hands-on research, and professional development, ACS and Moffitt are helping cultivate the next generation of leaders in cancer research.