Salk Institute for Biological Studies - International Women’s Day Program

International Women’s Day Program


The Power of Persistence—Women Transforming Cancer Research and Care

Tuesday, March 12, 2024, from 12:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Salk Institute
Hosted by the Lustgarten Foundation and the Salk Institute

Chaired by Elizabeth Jaffee, this exciting symposium will foster collaboration, mentorship, and the exchange of ideas. By providing a platform for sharing experiences, challenges, and successes, the event encourages participants to forge lasting connections and alliances that contribute to the continued advancement of cancer research and care. The Power of Persistence—Women Transforming Cancer Research and Care will celebrate women's achievements while empowering attendees to embrace their roles as change-makers and advocates, inspiring the next generation and driving the next wave of transformative breakthroughs in the fight against cancer.



Program

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
(in-person only)
Speed Mentoring

This session will facilitate focused, meaningful interactions between symposium attendees and visiting faculty members, who bring diverse expertise and perspectives. Each table will have one mentor, and attendees are invited to join the mentor in a brief roundtable conversation. Attendees will then rotate to other tables, allowing them to engage with multiple mentors in a short amount of time.

1:45 – 2:00 p.m. Introductions
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.Session I: The Heart and Science of Innovation
  • Dafna Bar-Sagi, NYU Langone
  • Marina Pasca di Magliano, University of Michigan
  • Lisa Coussens, Oregon Health and Science University

Moderated by Salk Associate Professor Diana Hargreaves, this session aims to illuminate the gap between the heart's intrinsic connection to ingenuity and the scientific principles that give rise to revolutionary ideas. Speakers will showcase elements of their pioneering research and provide insights that reveal the harmony between the emotional aspects of innovation and the structured processes that guide its realization.
Click here to watch the video »

3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
(incl. 5-minute Q&A)
Session II: The Lustgarten Foundation Career Development Award Lecture in honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
  • Ashley Kiemen, Johns Hopkins University, 2023 awardee

Established in 2021, The Lustgarten Foundation – American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Career Development Awards for Pancreatic Cancer Research in Honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and John Robert Lewis, celebrates the legacies of Justice Ginsburg and Congressman Lewis, both of whom died of pancreatic cancer in 2020. The Awards support the work of early-career female researchers and underrepresented minority researchers in pancreatic cancer research, ensuring a diverse and inclusive research community.
Click here to watch the video »

3:30 – 4:15 p.m.Session III: "Fireside Chat" with Elizabeth Jaffee and Margaret Tempero
  • Elizabeth Jaffee, Johns Hopkins University
  • Margaret Tempero, University of California San Francisco

This thought-provoking session, Daring to Fail, is the highlight of our symposium. Daring to Fail will delve into the personal and professional journeys of Elizabeth (Liz) Jaffee and Margaret Tempero, exploring their experiences, challenges, and, most importantly, their courageous willingness to embrace "failure(s)" as a steppingstone to success.
Click here to watch the video »

4:15 – 5:30 p.m.
(incl. 15-minute Q&A)
Session IV: Zen and the Art of Lab Leadership
  • Dannielle Engle, Salk Institute
  • Stephanie Dougan, Dana Farber Cancer Center
  • Julie Sutcliffe, UC Davis Health

Moderated by Salk Assistant Professor Christina Towers, this session will delve into the nuanced world of lab management and provide insights into creating an environment that nurtures creativity, fosters collaboration, and drives exceptional scientific outcomes. Speakers will share their experiences, insights, and strategies for cultivating a laboratory ecosystem that transcends traditional hierarchies and empowers researchers and their projects.
Click here to watch the video »

5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Reception