Professor of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, MN

David Largaespada, PhD, is a full professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development and the Associate Director for Basic Research in the Masonic Cancer Center at University of Minnesota. He is an authority on mouse genetics, gene modification, and cancer genes. He received his BS in Genetics and Cell Biology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in 1987 and his PhD in Molecular Biology with Dr. Rex Risser at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1992. He did a post-doctoral fellowship at the National Cancer Institute working with world-renowned geneticists Dr. Nancy Jenkins and Dr. Neal Copeland, where the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America awarded him a post-doctoral fellowship. He joined the faculty of the University of Minnesota in late 1996. Dr. Largaespada currently holds the Hedberg Family/Children’s Cancer Research Fund Chair in Brain Tumor Research. He was awarded the American Cancer Society Research Professor Award in 2013, the highest award given by the ACS.

Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Dr. Olin graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, in 1995 with a BS in biochemistry and a BA in chemistry. After graduating, he worked in industry for 5 years before returning to the U of M to complete his PhD in Veterinary Medicine (Infectious Disease) in 2005. From 2006-2008 Dr. Olin did a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Philip Peterson studying the effects of opioids on tuberculosis meningitis, and from 2008-2011 he did a second post doctoral fellowship with Dr. John Ohlfest in brain tumor immunotherapy. Dr. Olin joined the Department of Pediatrics Faculty as an Assistant Professor in 2011.

Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Dr. Elizabeth Neil is both a board certified neurologist and neuro-oncologist. Dr. Neil completed a 2-year neuro-oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and has significant experience in caring for patients diagnosed with primary tumors of the central nervous system. Additionally, she evaluates and manages patients with systemic cancers that have metastasized to the brain and/ or spinal cord as well as manage neurological complications of cancer including but not limited to; chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, headaches, and epilepsy. Being informed and educated on the best practices in the field is critical and provides the foundation for Dr. Neil to facilitate a team approach in providing comprehensive, advanced, yet compassionate cancer care.

Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

David Odde is a professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Minnesota who studies the mechanics of cell division and migration. Trained academically as chemical engineer, Odde joined the newly created Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota in 1999. In his research, Odde's group builds computer models of cellular and molecular self-assembly and force-generation-dissipation dynamics, and tests the models experimentally using digital microscopic imaging of cells ex vivo and in engineered microenvironments. Current applications include the modeling of chemotherapeutic effects on cell division, molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, and migration of cancer cells through complex microenvironments such as the brain. Ultimately, his group seeks to use the models to perform virtual screens of potential therapeutic strategies. Dr. Odde is an elected Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) and the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES).

Professor of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, MN

Dr. Moertel graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School. He completed his internship and residency in Pediatrics at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He then completed his fellowship in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the Mayo Clinic/ Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota. He joined the medical staff at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota in 1990. He is currently the Medical director of the Journey Clinic. While at Children’s, he served as Chief of Staff, Medical Director of Hematology/Oncology and Lead Physician in the Theodora Lang Oncology Clinic, among other leadership positions. While at Children’s, he was co-director of neuro-oncology, founder and medical director of the Neurocutaneous Syndromes Clinic Without Walls, and attending physician in the Fairview/University Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center. Dr. Moertel has served on numerous national and local professional committees and is the author of a number of book chapters, articles and abstracts. Special interests include rare pediatric tumors, neurofibromatosis-associated neoplasia, and the therapy of children with brain and spinal cord tumors.

Professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical Services, University of Minnesota, MN

Dr. Pluhar received her D.V.M. from Oregon State University in 1989. She earned a master of science degree in molecular biology from Northern Illinois University. In 1999, she earned a Ph.D. in veterinary sciences/comparative orthopaedics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research interests include improving total joint longevity, development of bone graft substitutes, the study of osteoclasts and bone graft incorporation, and the investigation of novel gene and immunotherapies for brain tumors.

Assistant Professor, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Minnesota, MN

Susan Arnold specializes in developing, evaluating, and applying mathematical exposure models to estimate exposures in novel occupational environments and brings her 20-plus years of experience working in private industry as a Certified Industrial Hygienist to her research.