Activities and Opportunities

Seminar Series

Students are able to attend various seminars offered by the Center for Cancer Immunology Research (CCIR) and the Center for Inflammation and Cancer (CIC), both centers are based at MD Anderson and specialize in translational immunology research. The seminars are wonderful opportunities for students to learn about research led by accomplished scientists. The CCIR also holds seminars in which students, postdoctoral fellows and PhD-level research staff give talks about their projects, and in return they receive feedback regarding presentation style, experimental design and interpretation of results from faculty. Click the name of the seminar series listed below to view a web page or a pdf of a table with speakers and titles of their presentations.

CCIR Grand Rounds (web page with table)
CIC Distinguished Lecture Series (web page with table)
CCIR Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Seminar Series (pdf of table)

Student Retreat

Every year the program sponsors a student-organized research retreat, which includes a key note speaker. The retreat is usually held off campus and is considered valuable time away from the laboratory allowing students and faculty to become better acquainted with each other. This year, the student retreat was held February 24, 2012, at La Torreta Lake Resort in Lake Conroe, Texas. Click the name of the session in the schedule of events to view a pdf listing the speakers and titles of presentations.

Schedule of Events for 2012 Immunology Program Student Retreat

9:00 – 10:00 am: Full continental breakfast

10:00 – 11:30 am: Keynote Address by Dr. Polly Matzinger

11:30 – 12:30 pm: Mini-poster session

12:30 – 2:00 pm: Lunch (buffet)

2:00 – 3:00 pm: Oral presentations

1) Janani Krishnamurthy
2) Jessica Chacon
3) Beata Lerman
4) Kalyan Nallaparaju

3:15 – 4:30 pm: Full poster session

4:15 – 4:30 pm: Faculty to judge posters and presentations

4:30 – 6:00 pm: Round table discussions moderated by faculty

5:30 – 6:00 pm: Appetizers

Student Awards

Immunology Program students have received numerous awards for excellence in academics, research or community service from the GSBS, MD Anderson and other scientific or charitable organizations. Review the modules to the right for more information about travel awards and GSBS Funding Opportunities.

2013 Awards

Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation Research Scholar Award: Janani Krishnamurthy (Dr. Laurence Cooper)
GSBS Immunology Program Travel Award: Richard C. Wu (Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi); Jessica Chacon (Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi)
The Fadine Jackson Roquemore Scholarship in Cancer Research: Jessica Chacon (Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi)
The Wei Yu Family Endowed Scholarship: Janani Krishnamurthy (Dr. Laurence Cooper)
Andrew Sowell-Wade Huggins Scholarship in Cancer Research: Drew Deniger (Dr. Laurence Cooper)

2012 Awards

Carl Storm Underrepresented Minority Fellowship: Germaine Agollah (Dr. Eva Sevick)
Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences T32 Training Grant: Cheng-Han (Richard) Wu (Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi)
GSBS Travel Award: Kalyan Nallaparaju (Dr. Chen Dong)
GSBS Immunology Program Travel Award: Germaine Agollah (Dr. Eva Sevick); Janani Krishnamurthy (Dr. Laurence Cooper); Kalyan Nallaparaju (Dr. Chen Dong)
GSBS Immunology Program Student Retreat Oral Presentation Award: Jessica Chacon (Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi)
MD Anderson Trainee Research Day, 2nd place research abstract award in translational/population/clinical research: Cheng-Han (Richard) Wu (Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi)
Teal Pre-doctoral Scholarship, DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program: Drew Deninger (Dr. Laurence Cooper)

2011 Awards

American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship: Jessica Ann Chacon (Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi); Drew Deninger, Hillary Gibbons and Denise Kellar (Dr. Laurence Cooper)
Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences T32 Training Grant: Cheng-Han (Richard) Wu (Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi)
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology/Minority Access to Research Careers Program Travel Award: Jessica Ann Chacon (Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi)
GSBS Immunology Program Travel Award: Drew Deniger, Lenka Hurton and Denise Kellar (Dr. Laurence Cooper); Spencer Stonier (Dr. Kim Schluns)
GSBS Travel Award: Jessica Ann Chacon (Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi)
MD Anderson CPRIT Graduate Scholar Award: Kalyan Nallaparaju (Dr. Chen Dong)
NCI T32 Training Grant Award: Amber Mathews (Dr. Shao-Cong Sun)
Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Travel Award: Jessica Ann Chacon (Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi)
Teal Pre-doctoral Scholarship, DOD Ovarian Cancer Research Program: Drew Deninger (Dr. Laurence Cooper)

Highlights

Hillary Caruso presents her research at the American Legion Auxiliary Luncheon held November 6, 2009 (photo courtesy of GSBS Public Affairs).
Dr. Thomas Goka, assistant dean of the GSBS, presents the Presidents' Research Scholarship Award to Gustavo Martinez (photo courtesy of GSBS Public Affairs).
Vivian L. Smith awardees Pornpimon Angkasekwinai (left) and Dipyaman Ganguly (right) with Dr. Ralph Steinman.
Vivian L. Smith awardees Thang Nguyen (left) and Omar Duramad (right) with Dr. Ralph Steinman.
Vivian L. Smith awardee Morgan McKeller (middle) with Dr. Ralph Steinman and Dr. Yong-Jun Liu.