Intensive

Area of focus: Pancreatic cancer

Scholar placed: JM

Dr. Coté’s clinical research program focuses on outcomes research in pancreatobiliary diseases including acute and chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and its precursors, bile duct strictures, and gallstone-related diseases. A principal focus of these studies includes outcomes research in pancreatobiliary endoscopy, which includes endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Dr. Coté is the Principal Investigator for the SpHincterotomy for Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis (SHARP) trial (www.pancreasdivisum.com), a sham controlled, international, multi center, randomized clinical trial evaluating the role of endoscopic minor papillotomy in the treatment of patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis and pancreas divisum. He is also the Principal Investigator for the Results of Ercp in SPhincter of Oddi Dysfunction (RESPOnD) study, a multicenter, longitudinal cohort study evaluating the role of ERCP and sphincterootmy in the treatment of patients with Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction and idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis.

Area of focus: Dermatology and skin cancer

Scholar placed: BB

Dr. Kulkarni’s research focuses on the intersection of basic biology, technology, and medicine to help better realize the vision of personalized medicine in cancer. His research is focused on basic and translational studies to enable molecularly-based, personalized approaches to cancer care, in collaboration with the VA, the Center for Early Detection Research (CEDAR), and the Knight Cancer Institute (KCI). A parallel line of research focuses on oncodermatology and elucidating the mechanisms by which novel chemotherapeutics and immunotherapies cause skin toxicities/rashes and whether these mechanisms have any correlation with anti-tumor effect and overall outcome. The overall goal is to couple genomic, epigenetic, and clinical information to design novel treatment strategies and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Area of focus: Cancer genetics

Scholar placed: ZB

Paul Spellman, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics in the OHSU School of Medicine and co-leader of the Quantitative Oncology Program in the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. He uses genetic and genomic approaches to understand the processes by which cancer develops, monitor disease, and to identify therapeutic strategies. He focuses on using population genetics to help determine who is at risk for cancer, how to computationally analyze genomic data to identify early changes in cancers, and how to accurately screen different populations for the disease. He also works to inform the public about the ways that genetics shape cancer risk. His lab is interested in using genetic, genomic, and proteomic data to understand and model the biology of cancer and to develop methods to effectively deploy therapeutic agents in the age of molecularly guided medicine. Members of Spellman lab use a combination of conventional molecular biology, high throughput genomic and proteomic assays, and bioinformatics analysis in their work.

Area of focus: Exercise and cancer survivorship

Scholar placed: JR

Dr. Kerri Winters-Stone, is an exercise scientist and the Elnora Thompson Distinguished Professor in the Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing. She is also co-director of the Knight Community Partnership Program and Co-program leader of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program for the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. As a scientist, Dr. Winters-Stone’s research focuses on the effects of cancer treatment on musculoskeletal health and cancer recurrence risk and the ability of exercise to improve health and longevity in cancer survivors. While developing and testing exercise-based approaches to improve outcomes in cancer survivors will be the mainstay of her research, Dr. Winters-Stone is always forging new directions. Her work has extended to consider the impact of cancer treatment on the health of intimate partners and relationships by innovating a partnered approach to resistance exercise that builds teamwork. Using teamwork, health and functioning of each partner and their relationship could be optimized leading to better outcomes for the couple. Just recently Dr. Winters-Stone received new NCI funding to determine the patterns and predictors of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy and mobility impairment during neurotoxic chemotherapy and several NCI supplements to integrate digital technology as a tool for continuous passive monitoring of mobility in aging cancer patients. Dr. Winters-Stone has been funded by the National Cancer Institute, National Heart Blood and Lung Institute, the American Cancer Society, and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Livestrong, and Movember Foundations. This work has supported over 9 controlled clinical exercise trials that have trained over 1000 cancer survivors in different exercise modalities including resistance, aerobic, flexibility and tai ji quan training. She has also co-led the update of the American College of Sports Medicine Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors, released in October 2019. The long-term goal of Dr. Winters-Stone’s research is to develop prescriptive exercise programs for cancer survivors that meets their needs and preferences, optimizes their health outcomes, and provides the support and encouragement they need to stay active so that they can live better and longer with cancer. After developing new virtual approaches to the delivery of exercise training during the COVID-19 pandemic, she is now exploring how supervised group exercise can reach the most underserved patients living in rural and poor regions of the U.S.