The Herbert and Florence Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics hosts a seminar series on the topic of mathematical sciences underpinning cancer research. The monthly seminars take place on the third Thursday of the month, 4:00-5:00 PM EST. The presentations are held via Zoom and are opened to the Columbia community and to researchers outside Columbia University.
On Thursday, June 16th (4:00-5:00 PM, EST), IICD welcomes Samra Turajlic, MRCP, PhD, Clinical Science Group Leader at the Francis Crick Institute.
To attend the seminar, please register here: https://columbiauniversity.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUtd-utqDouHNReCnJ1rveLHAptIcRoASu1
Title: Tracking Cancer Evolution in Space and Time
Abstract: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) presents an excellent model for understanding of the principles of cancer evolution. It has a narrow repertoire of genetic drivers and yet associates with a variety of clinical phenotypes. In the context of the Tracerx renal programme we have deciphered the “rules” that govern the evolutionary trajectories in ccRcc and how they relate with clinical behaviour. Through mathematical models we have linked different evolutionary trajectories to distinct modes of primary tumour growth. We have identified the genetic bases of metastatic competence in ccRCC and that metastatasising populations preferentially emerge in the tumour centre.
Bio: Samra Turajlic completed her undergraduate studies at Oxford University and her clinical training at UCL medical school. She gained a PhD in 2013 from Institute of Cancer Research in the field of melanoma genetics and targeted therapy resistance. In 2014, she was awarded a Cancer Research UK Clinician Scientist Fellowship to study cancer evolution at the Francis Crick Institute. She completed her training in medical oncology in 2015 and was appointed a Consultant Medical Oncologist on the Skin and Urology Units at the Royal Marsden. She became an independent Group Leader at the Francis Crick Institute in 2019, and divides her time between the clinic and her lab. Dr Turajlic is the Chief Investigator of translational studies into melanoma and kidney cancer, and her research goal is to develop an evolutionary understanding of cancer for patient benefit. She is a member of the NCRI Bladder and Renal Cancer Clinical Studies Group, ESMO Faculty member for genitourinary cancers; and Scientific Committee member for ESMO, Molecular Analysis for Personalised Therapy, Kidney Cancer Association, and EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposia. She is a Trustee of the Kidney Cancer Support Network and a Senior Editor at Macmillan Cancer Support. Dr Turajlic receives research funding from CRUK, Rosetrees Trust, the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, and the RMH/ICR Biomedical Research Centre, among others.
