FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2018
MILWAUKEE – The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) is now accepting applications for the 2018 SITC Sparkathon. This unique program brings together investigators early in their careers with various backgrounds, degrees and professional experiences to collaboratively address obstacles facing the field of cancer immunotherapy. Applications are available at sitcancer.org/Sparkathon and are accepted until 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday, June 18, 2018.
“The support of early career scientists in cancer immunotherapy and tumor immunology research is one of the most important functions of the society,” said SITC President Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD. “This innovative program is an exciting opportunity for scientists seeking to advance their careers and the cancer immunotherapy field.”
SITC will select a group of 30 emerging leaders, the SITC Sparkathon Class of 2018, in the fields of cancer immunotherapy, physical sciences, systems biology, and statistics.
Selected participants will meet Sept. 12–14, 2018 in Chicago for a two-and-a-half-day retreat where they will develop innovative solutions to the obstacles facing the field of cancer immunotherapy.
During the retreat, participants will work alongside business experts to develop project proposals. A panel of SITC leaders will award the single most promising project up to $200,000 to implement the proposed project. The full 2018 class (all participants) will then implement the project during the following 12–18 months, culminating in a presentation at the society’s 34th Annual Meeting, Nov. 6–10, 2019.
The 30 participants will emerge as a unique, dynamic network of cancer immunotherapy professionals formed to further individual professional development and foster collaborations across institutions and work settings.
The first SITC Sparkathon, the 2017 class, has developed two innovative projects to help address obstacles facing the field of cancer immunotherapy. Teams TimIOs and the METIOR Incubator will present their findings during the 33rd Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs (SITC 2018) in November 2018.
For more information or to apply, visit the SITC website at sitcancer.org/Sparkathon.
About SITC
Established in 1984, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) is a non-profit organization of medical professionals dedicated to improving cancer patient outcomes by advancing the development, science and application of cancer immunotherapy and tumor immunology. SITC is comprised of influential basic and translational scientists, practitioners, health care professionals, government leaders and industry professionals around the globe. Through educational initiatives that foster scientific exchange and collaboration among leaders in the field, SITC aims to one day make the word “cure” a reality for cancer patients everywhere. Learn more about SITC, our educational offerings and other resources at sitcancer.org and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
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