LRF Hosts “Research Update” Symposium in Santa Barbara, California
An educational symposium entitled Lymphatic Research Symposium with emphasis on lymphedema and cancer, held in conjunction with the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara, was very well attended by patients and professionals. Attendees listened attentively to the symposium presentations. Stanley Rockson, MD, of Stanford University School of Medicine discussed diagnosis and treatment of lymphedema, with a focus on secondary lymphedema in cancer survivors. David Zawieja, PhD, of the Texas A&M University Health Science Center presented a concise update on current developments in lymphatic research, discussing implications for lymphedema patients. (Drs. Rockson and Zawieja are past and current chairs of the LRF Scientific/Medical Advisory Council, respectively.) Follow LRF's website (www.lymphaticresearch.org) for upcoming announcements regarding additional 2012 research update symposia. LRF welcomes all opportunities to bring together researchers and the patients who stand to benefit most from their efforts, sparking new understanding on both sides.
LRF Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards Program
The LRF Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards Review Committee is assessing applications from an outstanding group of young researchers who have applied for LRF 2012–2014 Postdoctoral Fellowships. Applications have been received from researchers at premiere institutions in the United States, Canada, Germany, and Spain. Proposed research projects reflect the breadth and depth of lymphatic investigations at this juncture; and the field would benefit greatly if each of these projects could be funded. LRF is grateful to our Review Committee Chair, Mihaela Skobe, PhD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and Review Committee members: Reza Dana, MD, MPH, MSc, Schepens Eye Research Institute and Harvard Medical School; Michael Davis, PhD, University of Missouri School of Medicine; Mark Kahn, MD, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center; Jan Kitajewski, PhD, Columbia University Medical Center; and Nancy Ruddle, PhD, Yale University.
Gordon Research Conference: Molecular Mechanisms in Lymphatic Function and Disease
LRF was pleased to contribute to and attend the Gordon Research Conference: Molecular Mechanisms in Lymphatic Function and Disease recently held in California. Among the outstanding conference presentations were those given by LRF Scientific/Medical Advisory Council (SMAC) Chair David Zawieja, PhD, Texas A&M University Health Science Center; and LRF SMAC members Kari Alitalo, MD, PhD, Biomedicum Hospital and University of Helsinki, Finland; Donald McDonald, MD, PhD, University of California, San Francisco; Stanley Rockson, MD, Stanford University School of Medicine; Nancy Ruddle, PhD, Yale University School of Medicine; and Melody Swartz, PhD, Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC) and Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL). Dr. Swartz also served as Vice Chair of the GRC conference. Former LRF Postdoctoral Fellow, R. Satish Srinivasan, PhD, of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was also among conference presenters. This biennial Gordon Research Conference is the premier worldwide gathering of researchers focusing on lymphatic science and provides a unique forum for the exchange of cutting edge ideas and the facilitation of unique top level collaborations.
Lymphatic Research at the National Institutes of Health
With the support of Congress and the leadership of the Lymphatic Research Foundation, lymphatic research and lymphatic diseases are steadily gaining the attention and support of NIH leadership. LRF Founder, Wendy Chaite, and Founding Scientific and Medical Advisor, Stanley Rockson, MD, held individual meetings with senior leadership of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI); National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (NICHD); Center for Scientific Review (CSR); and the Office of the Director (OD), Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI). Our purpose was to engage senior leadership to support the efforts of the Trans NIH Coordinating Committee for Lymphatic Research and in particular to support the NIH Working Group Recommendations set forth in 2007. We are encouraged by the interest and commitment of those who met with us.
Rare Disease Day Partner
LRF is pleased to partner once again with the National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD) and its international counterpart EURODIS (European Rare Disease Organization) for the awareness-raising effort, “Rare Disease Day.” Celebrated on the last day of February, this annual event seeks to highlight rare diseases as a national and international public health issue. This year's Rare Disease Day theme, Solidarity: Rare But Strong Together, encourages collaborations and partnerships among the many patient-driven organizations dedicated to raising awareness and addressing patient needs for specific rare diseases. To learn more about this effort, visit rarediseaseday.us or rarediseaseday.org.