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

CENTER FOR CANCER TRAINING (CCT)
Inside Cancer Careers Podcast
CCT Website

LEARN MORE FROM THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
Online
By Phone: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

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

CENTER FOR CANCER TRAINING (CCT)
Inside Cancer Careers Podcast
CCT Website

LEARN MORE FROM THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
Online
By Phone: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

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): cancerai@mail.nih.gov
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/

CENTER FOR CANCER TRAINING (CCT)
Inside Cancer Careers Podcast
CCT Website

LEARN MORE FROM THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
Online
By Phone: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

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.

SURVEY
Inside Cancer Careers Listener Survey

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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Inside Cancer Careers Podcast
CCT Website

LEARN MORE FROM THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
Online
By Phone: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

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.

SURVEY
Inside Cancer Careers Listener Survey

SHOW NOTES
LeeAnn Bailey, Ph.D. (leeann.bailey@nih.gov)
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

CENTER FOR CANCER TRAINING (CCT)
Inside Cancer Careers Podcast
CCT Website

LEARN MORE FROM THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
Online
By Phone: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

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.

Inside Cancer Careers' Listener Survey

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

CENTER FOR CANCER TRAINING (CCT)
Inside Cancer Careers Podcast
CCT Website

LEARN MORE FROM THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
Online
By Phone: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

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

CENTER FOR CANCER TRAINING (CCT)
Inside Cancer Careers Podcast
CCT Website

LEARN MORE FROM THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
Online
By Phone: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

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

CENTER FOR CANCER TRAINING (CCT)
Inside Cancer Careers Podcast
CCT Website

LEARN MORE FROM THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
Online
By Phone: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

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