Partners
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) generously supports the COG/ALSF Childhood Cancer Repository that establishes cell lines and patient-derived xenografts from childhood cancers and provides these laboratory models to > 600 laboratories in 26 countries.
Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health
The Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health partners with the Cancer Center in delivery of cancer prevention services to the South Plains region and in cancer biobanking.
Texas Cancer Cell Repository (TXCCR)
The TXCCR is a consortium of translational laboratory investigators that collaborate to establish, bank, and distribute cancers grown in the laboratory and in special mice that will serve as models to study the biology of cancer and to develop novel approaches to therapy.
The Children's Oncology Group
The Children's Oncology Group (COG) is the national organization of > 200 institutions that carries our research in childhood cancer.
The New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy Consortium
The New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT) consortium is a clinical consortium of ~ 14 academic institutions that conduct early phase clinical trials testing new therapies for recurrent neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer.
The South Plains Oncology Consortium
The South Plains Oncology Consortium (SPOC) is a consortium funded by the State of Texas to carry out research on new anti-cancer drugs. Members of SPOC include TTUHSC School of Medicine, Covenant Medical Center (Lubbock), MD Anderson Cancer Institute (Houston), University of Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), and UT Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas). SPOC also conducts trials in collaboration with the California Cancer Consortium and the National Cancer Institute.
Ipsen
Cancer Center investigators are working with Ipsen to carry out a phase I trial of Onivyde (nanoliposomal irinoatecan) in pediatric solid tumors in the South Plains Oncology Consortium.
Oncology Interest Group 2022-2023 Leadership
- President: Megan Mai
Megan Mai graduated Magna Cum Laude from University of Houston with a BS in Biology and University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston with an MPH in Epidemiology. During that time, she worked as a scribe in hematology/oncology and radiation oncology, interned in an oncolytic virotherapy wet lab, and became interested in cancer epidemiology. Her favorite aspect of oncology is individualized and compassionate care with patients. As a medical student, her research interests include multimodal treatment of breast and colorectal cancers and she enjoys serving as a data analyst and statistician for cancer research projects.
- Vice President: Scott Burns
My name is Scott Burns, and I was born and raised in Austin, Texas. My hobbies include houseplants, running, hiking and traveling to new places. From the time I was a young child, I knew that I was interested in hematology oncology. Whether it be the specific genetics behind tumors or being able to build a close relationship with patients and their families, it all intrigues me.
- Secretary: Roberto Mendoza
Roberto Mendoza grew up in West Texas and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas Tech University with a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology in Lubbock, Texas. There, he worked as a certified nursing assistant in palliative care and conducted research in breast cancer metastasis. Now a medical student, he takes special interest in the tumor microenvironment, circulating tumor DNA, cancer epigenetics and health disparities. During his spare time, he enjoys gardening, hiking and being among friends and family.
- Treasurer: Ramon Young
Growing up in Lubbock, striving to be a Red Raider was a no-brainer. Following high school, I became a licensed real estate agent in Texas and graduated from TTU with a Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. I then studied at TTUHSC to complete a Master of Science in Molecular Pathology. There are two experiences that point me to my desire for oncology. The first, which continuously affects my life, is my family’s history of cancer. Secondly, throughout my studies, I fell in love with the science of biology at the cellular and molecular levels, which exemplifies my goal to become an oncologist.
Attached is the list of the Group officers: Group Officers
Oncology and Cancer Research Meetings Link
Schedule of Group Activities Link
