COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) announces the following awards, honors, grants and more that were recently given to the organization, teams or individuals: Scientists gain ACS grant for dietary intervention in women at high risk for breast cancer Researchers at the OSUCCC – James have received a two-year, $240,000 “mission-boost” grant from the American Cancer Society to conduct a phase I clinical trial that will examine the feasibility and early effectiveness of a low-insulin dietary pattern for women at high risk for breast cancer. The grant was awarded to Fred Tabung, PhD, MSPH, assistant professor in the Division of Medical Oncology at Ohio State and member of the Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention (MCC) Program at the OSUCCC – James. The study will be implemented with assistance from Sagar Sardesai, MBBS, and Steven Clinton, MD, PhD. Clinton co-leads the MCC Program, and Sardesai is in the Cancer Control Program. Both are also in Ohio State’s Division of Medical Oncology, and Sardesai is medical director of the High-Risk Breast Program. Although obesity is a risk factor for postmenopausal breast cancer, researchers say the relevant dietary factors have been elusive. Since recent decades have seen a dramatic rise in obesity, placing more women at greater risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, this 12-week study will enable 30 at-risk women to address a risk factor they can control via a modified low-insulin diet that is high in specific fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and low in meats. The researchers’ primary goal is to determine how likely is for participants to embrace these dietary changes and continue them, but also to examine blood-based cardiometabolic biomarkers and patient-reported outcomes for quality-of-life assessments. Leukemia Tissue Bank Earns College of American Pathologists Accreditation The College of American Pathologists (CAP) Biorepository Accreditation Program has accredited the OSUCCC – James Leukemia Tissue Bank (LTB) within the Division of Hematology at Ohio State. Accreditation means the LTB, led by Director Lapo Alinari, MD, PhD, and Assistant Director Christopher Manring, MBA, complies with the highest national standards for safety and quality for biorepositories and is committed to ensuring ethical and legal frameworks for using biospecimens in cancer research. Following CAP protocol, a reaccreditation inspection of the LTB will occur in two years and every two years thereafter. Mayerson named chair of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ Board of Councilors Joel Mayerson, MD, FAAOS, professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Ohio State, will serve as chair of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) Board of Councilors. Recognized as an inventor, researcher and leader in orthopedic oncology, Mayerson assumed this one-year position following the AAOS Annual Meeting held Feb. 12-16 in San Francisco. Since 2009, Mayerson has held leadership positions at the OSUCCC – James, where he currently is associate chief medical officer, medical director of surgical services and medical sarcoma services. His research focuses on postsurgical patient outcomes and innovative surgical techniques that improve care. Among his contributions that have changed care is a percutaneous drug regimen treatment for aneurysmal bone cysts. He has authored over 140 scientific journal articles and book chapters. The James Cancer Network announces new senior director Anna Buehl, MBA, MSN, RN, NE-BC, has been named senior director of The James Cancer Network (JCN). In this role, she oversees JCN strategic, administrative and clinical operations in collaboration with The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) to help deploy cancer-specific resources to JCN affiliates. Buehl has nearly 15 years of experience at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center and the OSUCCC – James. She began her career as a staff nurse and over the years has held several leadership positions, including assistant nurse manager, nurse manager and health system nurse educator. Most recently, she served as director of business development for CancerBridge, a non-profit cancer-navigation service that is affiliated with the OSUCCC – James and provides support to client partners. Sanchez-Petitto chosen as mentee in Cord Blood Transplant Immersion Program Gabriela Sanchez-Petitto, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Hematology at Ohio State and member of the Leukemia Research Program at the OSUCCC – James, has been selected by the NMDP (formerly the National Marrow Donor Program) as an inaugural mentee of the Cord Blood Transplant Immersion Program. As a member of this program, she will travel to the University of Colorado for two weeks of training and mentorship as she develops an institutional cord blood transplant strategy. Sanchez-Petitto, who also is in the Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) and Cellular Therapy programs at Ohio State, specializes in treating patients with acute leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes who require allogeneic stem cell transplantation. NMDP is a global nonprofit leader in cell therapy that, along with its partners, drives groundbreaking research, treatment and support to cure blood cancers and disorders. Rocco named to prestigious national leadership post The American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) has elected James Rocco, MD, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Ohio State, to a three-year term as president. Dr. Rocco previously chaired the research committee for the AHNS, the premier academic society for head and neck surgeons. The AHNS creates research and educational opportunities such as young investigator awards, translational science grants and other funding to start new research projects. Revenue comes to the foundation through corporate sponsorships and membership dues, and interest made on the corpus of the trust supports outbound funds from the foundation. Currently, the foundation supports more than $180,000 annually for grants and educational activities. Paskett to deliver prestigious Charles A. LeMaistre Lecture at MD Anderson Cancer Center Electra Paskett, PhD, MSPH, deputy director for population sciences and community outreach at the OSUCCC – James, has been selected to present the Charles A. LeMaistre Lecture in Oncology and Cancer Prevention on March 22 at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her topic will be “The Challenges of Improving Cancer Screening Adherence.” Paskett, professor and director of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control at Ohio State, where she also serves as founding director of the Center for Cancer Health Equity, has made major contributions to improving public health and healthcare through research that has enabled her and her colleagues to design strategic interventions that help people prevent or reduce the burden of cancer, particularly among social and ethnic-minority groups and in underserved populations. The Charles A. LeMaistre Lecture is named for a former president of MD Anderson Cancer Center (1978-96) who was a renowned pioneer in cancer prevention before his death in 2017. To read more about OSUCCC – James awards, honors, accreditations and more, visit cancer.osu.edu. For others news about the OSUCCC – James, visit our News & Media site or read our latest publication. Media Contact: Amanda Harper OSUCCC - James Media Relations 614-685-5420 | Amanda.Harper2@osumc.edu