HICCC Investigators and Trainees Recognized at ASCO 2023

May 24, 2023

Each year during the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Conquer Cancer®, the ASCO Foundation, recognizes exceptional clinical investigators at every career stage with awards and grant support. This year at ASCO 2023, which will take place in Chicago from June 2 – June 6, Conquer Cancer® will present more than $11 million in funding to researchers working in multiple areas across the continuum of cancer research and care, including nine clinical investigators and trainees at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC).  

 

“To see so many of our clinical fellows recognized at ASCO this year is a testament to the amazing talent and dedication our young investigators hold,” says Dr. Dawn Hershman, interim chief of the division of hematology/oncology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “At Columbia, we look forward to seeing them carry forward meaningful advancements in cancer care that make a difference in the lives of our patients.” 


Career Development Awards 

The Career Development Awards (CDA) are designated for clinical investigators in the first to third year of their faculty appointment, offering awardees a three-year grant to establish their own independent clinical cancer research program. 

 

Julia McGuinness, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center 

Yoanna Pumpalova, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center 


Young Investigator Awards 

The YIAs support promising young physicians as the transition from trainee to faculty appointments, offering research funding during their final years of training to encourage them in pursuing cancer research. 

 

Lanyi Nora Chen, MD, Clinical Fellow, Division of Hematology/Oncology  

Brian Chernak, MD, Clinical Fellow, Division of Hematology/Oncology 

Kristine Lacuna, CCRP, MD, Clinical Fellow, Division of Hematology/Oncology 

Claire Yun Kyoung Ryu, MD, PhD, Clinical Fellow, Division of Hematology/Oncology 

Nina Yoh, MD, Residency Fellow, Department of Neurological Surgery 


Annual Meeting Merit Awards 

The Annual Meeting Merit Awards recognize oncology trainees and students whose research is addressed in high-quality abstracts submitted to the ASCO Annual Meeting and recognized for their scientific merit. 

 

Sminu Bose, MD, Clinical Fellow, Division of Hematology/Oncology 

Kristine Lacuna, CCRP, MD, Clinical Fellow, Division of Hematology/Oncology 

Zachary Walsh, MD/PhD Candidate, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons