- Linkage Home
- Invited Commentary: The Value of GWAS
- Drs. Prokunina-Olsson and Amundadottir Investigate GWAS Hits
- Second Robert A. Welch Fellow
- Drs. Friesen, Lee, and Matthews Tackle Exposure Assessment
- Journal Section Focuses on Biospecimens and Biomarkers in Epidemiology
- Annual NCI Intramural Scientific Retreat Held
- DCEG Hosts Visiting Scholar Louise Strong
- Fall 2009 Intramural Research Awards
- Study Newsletter Informs AHS Participants
- Computed Tomography Scans and Cancer Risk
- Steven Simon Leads BioDose Monograph
- Thyroid Cancer Working Group
- Sallie Rosen Kaplan Fellows Luncheon
- Second Annual Fellows' Symposium
- DCEG Participates in the Annual AACR Meeting
- A Multidisciplinary Conference on Male Breast Cancer
- Scientific Highlights
- Major Editorials, Commentaries, and Reviews Published by DCEG Scientists
- DCEG People in the News
- Philip Castle Receives Tenure and ASCCP Award
- Charles Land Gives Lauriston S. Taylor Lecture
- Comings … Goings
- Lindsey Hoskins Receives Award
- Bench-to-Bedside Award
- Dr. Chatterjee Receives Spiegelman Award
- Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
- Samantha Nhan Departs DCEG
DCEG Hosts Visiting Scholar Louise Strong
DCEG welcomed Dr. Louise C. Strong as a Visiting Scholar in February. Dr. Strong is a tenured professor and the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Chair of the Department of Genetics as well as a professor of cancer genetics in the Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. She also is an adjunct professor at the university's School of Public Health.
Dr. Strong is best known for her work in the fields of cancer genetics and epidemiology, where she has shown strong scientific leadership and vision in pursuing studies of the genetic components and late effects of childhood cancer. After receiving her medical degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, she began a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Alfred Knudson at the university's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston. She describes this “fortunate partnership” as the catalyst that allowed her to pursue her interest in childhood cancer genetics at an early stage of her career. Dr. Strong has since been a pioneer in advancing our understanding of cancer-prone disorders, with seminal discoveries into the genetic basis of Wilms tumor, retinoblastoma, and Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS). Her collaborative efforts contributed to the discovery of p53 germline mutations in individuals with LFS. Dr. Strong is currently involved in studies exploring the role of genetic susceptibility and treatment effects as contributors to the risk of second cancers following various childhood tumors.
Louise Strong
Dr. Strong began her two-day visit by presenting a seminar titled “Li-Fraumeni syndrome: Cancer risk and risk modifiers.” Sharon A. Savage, M.D., Clinical Genetics Branch (CGB), opened the seminar, remarking, “It is a great honor to introduce Dr. Strong; she has been a good friend and collaborator with DCEG for several decades.”
Dr. Strong outlined the progression of her research into the genetic aspects of childhood cancers, describing the “rich resource of patients” at M.D. Anderson and highlighting the collaborative study that linked p53 germline mutations to LFS. “Once you have the gene, that's just the beginning of the story. That's when it gets fun,” Dr. Strong said.
In her presentation, Dr. Strong described her research that clarified the phenotypic manifestations of LFS. This research also shed light on the risk modifiers of LFS, including gender; p53 mutation type; radiation exposure; and genotypes of MDM2, a negative regulator of p53. She also touched on current studies investigating the link between telomere length and cancer risk. Dr. Strong wrapped up the seminar by discussing the clinical implications of continued research in the field, emphasizing the importance of patient and physician education for earlier diagnosis and effective treatment.
Following the seminar, Joseph F. Fraumeni, Jr., M.D., Division Director, presented Dr. Strong with the DCEG Visiting Scholar Award for her major achievements in the field of cancer genetics and epidemiology.
Dr. Strong then participated in a luncheon meeting sponsored by the Women Scientist Advisors and the DCEG Committee of Scientists, discussing issues and challenges related to being in a tenure-track position. Topics included the importance of time management and the need for focused energy to reach certain career and scientific goals.
Later that afternoon, Dr. Strong met with DCEG investigators for a discussion of cancer predisposition syndromes. Participants in the meeting included Dr. Savage, Christian Kratz, M.D. (CGB), and Lynn R. Goldin, Ph.D., and Xiahong Rose Yang, Ph.D., M.P.H., both of the Genetic Epidemiology Branch (GEB). DCEG investigators discussed their research, including gene discovery efforts in familial lymphoid malignancies, familial chordoma, dyskeratosis congenita, and DICER1-related pleuropulmonary blastoma tumor syndrome.
The next morning, Dr. Strong attended a group discussion led by Radiation Epidemiology Branch investigators Lindsay M. Morton, Ph.D., and Chu-Ling Yu, Sc.D., who presented their research on cause-specific mortality in retinoblastoma patients and the radiation-related risk of esophageal cancer among breast cancer survivors. Alisa M. Goldstein, Ph.D. (GEB), also discussed her work on melanoma and pancreatic cancer in relation to the CDKN2A gene. Dr. Strong posed questions and offered feedback throughout the discussion.
CGB fellows hosted the final session, which was open to all DCEG fellows. The group discussed a wide variety of topics, including Dr. Strong's background, her early career working with Dr. Knudson, the changing field of cancer epidemiology and genetics, and maintaining a work-life balance. Dr. Strong's advice to the fellows was to “take advantage of the many opportunities within DCEG and have fun along the way. You'll be challenged during your fellowship, but I think you'll find it's very fulfilling.”
Discussing her visit to DCEG, Dr. Strong expressed that it was a “treat to be here.” She commented, “There are so many opportunities and resources within DCEG, and for me, it's always been a special place.”
—Victoria McCallum, M.P.H.
