BROADCASTS.com

NCI-designated Cancer Centers play leading roles in their communities through cancer research, cancer prevention and control, and clinical research. \n\nBeing the director of a Cancer Center is a position of immense responsibility. Now imaging taking on that role during a pandemic.\n\nJoann Sweasy, PhD\u2014the inaugural holder of the Nancy C. and Craig M. Berge Endowed Chair for the Director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center\u2014joined the podcast to talk about her approach to the position and how the Cancer Center has dealt with the challenges presented by COVID-19.\n\nShe also talked about her lab\u2019s ongoing research into DNA damage and repair and how that relates to cancer. \n\nAnd she spoke at length about mentoring, women in science issues, and what it was like to study under Dr. Evelyn Witkin, one of the leading cancer researchers of our time. Dr. Witkin helped change our understanding of DNA repair. In 1946, when the American Cancer Society\u2019s extramural research program was launched, Dr. Witkin was one of the first female researchers funded by ACS.\n\n3:33 \u2013 Joann Sweasy, PhD, Inaugural holder of the Nancy C. and Craig M. Berge Endowed Chair for the Director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center\n\n5:09 \u2013 On the role that NCI-Designated Cancer Centers play in cancer prevention, clinical service, and research\n\n8:32 \u2013 How her colleagues at the Cancer Center have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic to continue supporting cancer patients, caregivers, and researchers\n\n10:07 \u2013 On how the pandemic has provided some unexpected silver linings\n\n13:19 \u2013 Some of the ways that research into COVID-19 will benefit cancer patients\n\n17:14 \u2013 On her lab\u2019s research into DNA damage and repair and why this is critical to understanding cancer\n\n20:08 \u2013 Recent research findings in her lab that she\u2019s most excited about\n\n25:08 \u2013 What it was like to train under the great Dr. Evelyn Witkin\n\n28:08 \u2013 On some of the caregiving and work-life balance challenges faced by cancer researchers in 2020\u2026\n\n31:11 \u2013 \u2026and how academic institutions and research funders could help\n\n34:58 \u2013 Advice for young women pursuing a career in science\n\n36:58 \u2013 The impact of ACS funding (and peer review) on her career\n\n39:49 \u2013 A message she\u2019d like to share with cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers