Wilmot Researchers Present Work at Virtual ASCO

Congratulations to several members of UR Medicine Wilmot Cancer Institute's Cancer Prevention and Control research program and to Ash Alpert, M.D., a fellow in Hematology/Oncology, for their participation in the ASCO 2020 Virtual Scientific Program. A special mention goes to Supriya Mohile, M.D., M.S., and Karen Mustian, Ph.D., MPH, who were invited to give oral presentations.

Due to COVID-19, the American Clinical Society of Oncology (ASCO) replaced its annual meeting in Chicago, attended by thousands, with a three-day virtual event, May 29 through 31. ASCO is one of the world's largest organizations of oncologists, with more than 45,000 members. 

Mohile’s talk will describe a large, randomized clinical study evaluating geriatric assessment as a tool to reduce treatment toxicities in patients with advanced cancer. 

Mustian’s talk will describe a large clinical trial that measured the effects of her trademarked yoga program (YOCAS), cognitive behavioral therapy, and survivorship health education for treating insomnia related to cancer and its treatment.

Congratulations also to the ASCO Merit Award and Young Investigator Award winners from Wilmot: Alpert, along with Nikesha Gilmore, Ph.D., and Amber Kleckner, Ph.D.

Alpert won a Young Investigator Award from Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, for studying disparities in transgender cancer patients and a project called Cancer Prevalence in Incarcerated Transgender & Gender Diverse Populations & Tools for Future Data Collection. The award comes with a $50,000 grant to continue her research.

Gilmore won the Conquer Cancer – Darla C. Ellis Endowed Women Who Conquer Cancer Merit Award, recognizing a female fellow for outstanding work in breast cancer and a high-scoring ASCO abstract.

Kleckner won the Conquer Cancer – Arti Hurria Memorial Award in Geriatric Oncology, for outstanding work in that field and a high-scoring abstract.

Congratulations to all Wilmot researchers whose posters and presentations were accepted at ASCO, the world’s largest collective of cancer physicians and investigators. The ASCO Educational Sessions are scheduled for August.