In this episode of Inside Cancer Careers, Dr. Tony Kerlavage and Jeff Schilling discuss the role of AI in cancer research and the challenges and safety measures associated with its use. They emphasize the need for standardized data and the importance of addressing biases in AI models. They also discuss the recruitment of talent in data science and the potential for partnerships with Silicon Valley. They highlight the complexity of AI and the need for continuous learning in the field. The episode concludes with advice for aspiring data scientists.

SHOW NOTES Tony Kerlavage, Ph.D. Jeff Shilling, M.S. Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology (CBIIT) Cancer Data Science Blog: Growing the Field - NCI Fellowship Opportunities in Data Science National Academy of Medicine: Generative AI & LLMs in Health & Medicine Conference ChatGPT GovCIO Healthcast Podcast: 50 Years of Cancer: Tech's Role in Fighting Cancer ARPA-H Episode 8: Computation to Improve Therapy & Finances with Dr. Peng Jiang AD: NCI Cancer AI Conversations Seminar Series

YOUR TURN RECOMMENDATIONS Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer Golf Beneath the Surface: The New Science of Golf Psychology by Raymond Prior, Ph.D. The Diamond Age Or A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer by Neal Stephenson

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute

In this episode of Inside Cancer Careers, Dr. Shaalan Beg, Senior Advisor for Clinical Research at the NCI and Principal Investigator at Science 37, discusses the challenges and opportunities in the field of clinical trials. The conversation centers on the increasing number of potential cancer interventions and the need for efficient clinical trial infrastructure to test these interventions. Dr. Beg emphasizes the importance of matching patients to appropriate clinical trials and ensuring that the patient population in a trial is representative of the broader population with that specific disease. Dr. Beg shares his career path and share advice for those interested in a similar career.

SHOW NOTES: Shaalan Beg, M.D., M.B.A.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaalanbeg/ Science 37: https://www.science37.com/science-37r-adds-acclaimed-researcher-and-oncologist-dr-shaalan-beg-bolster-therapeutic-depth Virtual Clinical Trials Office: https://dctd.cancer.gov/MajorInitiatives/virtual_clinical_trials_office_pilot_program.htm NCI Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD): https://dctd.cancer.gov/ AD: Worta McCaskill-Stevens Career Development Award for Community Oncology and Prevention Research (K12): https://www.cancer.gov/grants-training/training/funding/k12-mccaskill-stevens Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan): https://pancan.org/ ASCO Leadership Development Program: https://www.asco.org/career-development/leadership-programs/leadership-development-program American Society for Clinical Oncology: https://www.asco.org/

YOUR TURN RECOMMENDATIONS: Empire (podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast/empire/id1639561921 300 Arguments by Sarah Manguso: https://www.graywolfpress.org/books/300-arguments

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute

In this episode of Inside Cancer Careers, we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and cancer research.

Dr. Juli Klemm and Dr. Sean Hanlon from the NCI's Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives discuss various applications of AI in cancer research, including image analysis, clinical informatics, and basic cancer biology. They emphasize the importance of data sharing, model evaluation, and ensuring robust model performance. The conversation also touches upon the implications of AI in healthcare and the need for collaboration across government agencies and external organizations.

Additionally, Drs. Klemm and Hanlon share their career paths and provide advice for early-career scientists interested in pursuing AI in cancer research.

The episode concludes with recommendations for books and podcasts that the guests have found inspiring.

SHOW NOTES Juli Klemm, Ph.D.: https://www.cancer.gov/about-nci/organization/cssi/about/contact/juli-klemm Informatics Technology for Cancer Research (ITCR): https://www.cancer.gov/about-nci/organization/cssi/research/itcr Sean Hanlon, Ph.D.: https://www.cancer.gov/about-nci/organization/cssi/about/contact/sean-hanlon NCI Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives: https://www.cancer.gov/about-nci/organization/cssi 4D Nucleome (4DN) Program: https://commonfund.nih.gov/4DNucleome Human Tumor Atlas Network (HTAN): https://humantumoratlas.org/ Cancer AI Conversations: https://events.cancer.gov/nci/cancer-ai-conversations NCI Artificial Intelligence Working Group (email): [email protected] AD: NanCI -Connecting Scientists mobile application: https://www.cancer.gov/grants-training/training/nanci-app Incyte Genomics: https://incyte.com/ AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship: http://www.stpf-aaas.org/ NCI Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology (CBIIT): https://datascience.cancer.gov/ NCI Junior Investigator Annual Meeting: https://events.cancer.gov/dcb/ji-meeting HTAN Data Jamboree: https://frederick.cancer.gov/events/htan-data-jamboree-2024

YOUR TURN RECOMMENDATIONS The Demon Under the Microscope by Thomas Hager: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/73465/the-demon-under-the-microscope-by-thomas-hager/ The Alchemy of Air by Thomas Hager: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/73464/the-alchemy-of-air-by-thomas-hager-author-of-the-demon-under-the-microscope/ 99% Invisible hosted by Roman Mars (podcast): https://99percentinvisible.org/ Mortality by Christopher Hitchens: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/christopher-hitchens/mortality/9781455502752/

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute

In this episode of Inside Cancer Careers, we discuss the significance of mentorship in cancer research with one of the 2025 NCI Outstanding Mentor Awardees, Dr. Andrea Apolo, and two of her fellows, Dr. Saad Atiq and Dr. Andre Kydd. They explore the evolution of mentoring styles, the importance of communication within teams, and the innovative research being conducted at the NCI, particularly in bladder cancer and immunotherapy. The conversation also delves into the career paths of the guests, highlighting their motivations and experiences in the field of oncology. In this engaging conversation, the speakers share their personal journeys into the field of medicine, mainly focusing on bladder cancer research. They discuss the importance of mentorship, the challenges faced in clinical research, the human element of patient care, and more.

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SHOW NOTES Andrea Apolo, M.D. Saad Atiq, M.D. Andre Kydd, M.D. Genitourinary Malignancies Branch Center for Cancer Research Hematology Oncology Fellowship ASCO AACR Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials Career Development Award AD: NanCI-Connecting Scientists mobile application 

YOUR TURN RECOMMENDATIONS “I would recommend starting a tradition with your family, with your loved ones, and it becomes really special after many years.” – Dr. Apolo “…ask as many why questions as they can to never shut down those why questions…” – Dr. Kydd Overcooked on Nintendo Switch 

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute

In this episode of Inside Cancer Careers, we hear from Dr. LeeAnn Bailey, branch director of the Community Outreach, Research, and Engagement Branch in the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities at NCI and head of the NCI’s new Early Onset Cancer Initiative. The initiative focuses on understanding and addressing the rising incidence of cancers diagnosed in individuals aged 18 to 49.

The conversation explores the complexities of early onset cancers, the importance of patient voices in research, and the need for public awareness and tailored screening guidelines. Dr. Bailey emphasizes the significance of addressing health disparities and the initiative's future aspirations to improve survivorship outcomes. Additionally, she shares her personal journey into cancer research and offers valuable advice for aspiring scientists.

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SHOW NOTES LeeAnn Bailey, Ph.D. ([email protected]) Community Outreach, Research, and Engagement Branch (CORE) NCI Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) NCI Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) NCI Cancer Data Research Commons (CDRC)  Connecting Underserved Populations to Clinical Trials (CUSP2CT) Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) AD: 13th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research    YOUR TURN RECOMMENDATION: Float Therapy: Sensory Deprivation

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute

In this episode of Inside Cancer Careers, we hear from the winners of the 2024 NCI Technologies for Cancer Prevention, Diagnosis, or Treatment Prize, which is part of the Design by Biomedical Undergraduate Teams (DEBUT) Challenge managed by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering: three biomedical engineering alums from Stanford, Gabriel Seir, Shreya Garg, and Kelly Lopez-Cid, who developed ColoTech, a novel non-invasive screening technology for colorectal cancer. They discuss their project's ideation process, the medical experts' positive feedback, and the importance of accessibility in cancer diagnostics. The conversation also explores their personal journeys into STEM, their future career aspirations, and advice for aspiring professionals in the field.

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SHOW NOTES Design by Biomedical Undergraduate Teams (DEBUT) Challenge Shreya Garg (See also: Stanford Profiles) Kelly Lopez-Cid Gabriel Seir (See also: Stanford Profiles) ColoTech Stanford University Cologuard AD: 13th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research

YOUR TURN RECOMMENDATIONS The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende How Tyrants Fall: And How Nations Survive by Marcel Dirsus The Revolution of AI in Medicine: AI Revolution in Medicine, The Future of Healthcare by Reynolds Jameson Emperor of Rome, Ruling the Ancient Roman World by Mary Beard

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute

In this episode of Inside Cancer Careers, we highlight the Big Data Scientist Training Enhancement Program (BD-STEP), a collaboration between the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). We hear from Dr. Michelle Berny-Lang, Director of the BD-STEP of the NCI Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Dr. Frank Meng, National Director of BD-STEP of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Dr. Ted Feldman, Data Scientist, former BD-STEP fellow, and current mentor, of the Cooperative Studies Program Informatics Center, Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, Department of Veterans Affairs. The episode discusses the program's goals, structure, benefits, and the importance of AI in healthcare data science. They also give advice to those interested in pursuing a career in data science.

SHOW NOTES: Michelle Berny-Lang, PhD NCI Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives Big Data Scientist Training Enhancement Program (BD-STEP) Frank Meng, PhD Department of Veterans Affairs Ted Feldman, PhD Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC) & CSP Coordinating Center Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure (VINCI)

YOUR TURN RECOMMENDATIONS: "…I realized the joy of audiobooks from the library." - Dr. Berny-Lang "…I think a great thing is to try to learn a new language or a second or third language." - Dr. Meng Harvard Business Review article "What's Your Story?" I Wish I'd Made You Angry Earlier: Essays on Science, Scientists, and Humanity by Max Perutz

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute

In this episode of Inside Cancer Careers, we explore international efforts to combat cancer, featuring Dr. Lisa Stevens from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Dr. Andre Carvalho from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), World Health Organization (WHO).  They discuss integrating radiotherapy and nuclear medicine into cancer control, the importance of national cancer control plans, and IARC's focus on cancer prevention research. They emphasize international partnerships, improving access to radiotherapy and screening, and empowering low-and middle-income countries.  Both speakers reflect on their personal journeys into the field of medicine and public health, sharing insights on the challenges and opportunities they have encountered. They also provide advice for aspiring professionals in global health.   SHOW NOTES: Dr. Lisa Stevens Dr. Andre Carvahlo Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) Technical Cooperation Programme International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Early Detection, Prevention and Infections Branch International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) World Health Organization (WHO) GLOBOCAN International Cancer Control Partnership UICC World Cancer Congress CanScreen5 project Rays of Hope Islamic Development Bank WHO Global Initiatives  AD: 13th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research

YOUR TURN RECOMMENDATIONS: The Lazy Genius Podcast The Culture Map: Breaking Through Invisible Boundaries of Global Business by Erin Meyer The StoryGraph

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute

In this episode of Inside Cancer Careers, we hear from Dr. Satish Gopal, Director of the NCI Center for Global Health, and Dr. Peter Kingham, Surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Director of the Global Cancer Disparities Initiative at MSK, about the global cancer challenge. They discuss the importance of understanding cancer in different settings, drawing on their own deep experiences in Africa, the challenges of extrapolating from high-income to low- and middle-income countries, and the need for greater investment in global cancer research and care. They also highlight the importance of collaboration and mentorship in advancing the field of global oncology before sharing their career paths.

SHOW NOTES: Satish Gopal, MD, MPH NCI Center for Global Health Peter Kingham, MD, FACS Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Global Cancer Disparities Initiative Surgeons OverSeas NCI-Designated Cancer Centers AD: The Worta McCaskill-Stevens Career Development Award for Community Oncology and Prevention Research (K12)

YOUR TURN RECOMMENDATIONS: “…my recommendation is don't listen to a podcast or read a book or use a computer or anything with screens and religiously do it for a couple of days, and you'll be ecstatic." My Own Country: A Doctor’s Story by Abraham Verghese

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute

In this episode, we learn about NCI's Intramural Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (iCURE), a program that supports mentored research experiences from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Jessica Calzola, iCURE Program Director and Branch Director of Innovative Programs Branch in NCI’s Center for Cancer Health Equity, and Dr. Stephanie Pitts, an iCURE Scholar and Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Center for Immuno-Oncology in NCI's Center for Cancer Research, share their insights on how the iCURE program works and offer advice on how to apply.

SHOW NOTES iCURE iCURE Pre-Application Webinar Recording iCURE Pre-Application Webinar Slides Cancer Research Interns Summer Program NCI Center for Cancer Health Equity Office of Intramural Training and Education FDA Interagency Oncology Task Force AD: Worta McCaskill-Stevens Career Development Award for Community Oncology and Prevention Research (K12) Outbreak NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease NIH Director's Award 

YOUR TURN RECOMMENDATIONS Dungeons and Dragons The Expanse by James S.A. Corey

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute