Great scientific ideas often grow out of creative give and take between researchers. That give and take is impossible, though, if researchers remain in the dark about their colleagues’ work.

Laurett Rivera, post-doctoral studies program manager for Beckman Research Institute, aims to shine more light on City of Hope scientists’ current projects and
encourage researchers to collaborate. One key part of that effort was City of Hope’s inaugural poster session, “Collaboration: A Catalyst for Progress.”

John J. Rossi, dean of City of Hope’s graduate school, discusses findings with young researchers. (Photo by Walter Urie)

“There is a tremendous amount of research under way on campus at any one time,” said Rivera. “We wanted to be sure everyone was aware of all the opportunities to contribute and collaborate.”

Rivera teamed with Dawn Eastmond, Ph.D., professional education programs coordinator, and Jonathan Espenschied, M.D., director of clinical research training, to assemble a spectrum of researchers and plan the event. In particular, they focused on bringing together laboratory scientists with clinical investigators,
and the poster session provided a familiar format for the researchers to see their
colleagues’ efforts while presenting their own work, Rivera said.

In her opening remarks, Alexandra Levine, M.D., chief medical officer, praised the event as an opportunity for faculty to combine and expand their expertise. Said
Levine: “I hope this is the first of many such events.” Richard Jove, Ph.D., director of Beckman Research Institute, echoed Levine, adding that he felt it fitting that
the inaugural event took place during the 25th anniversary year of Beckman Research Institute.

The session also included a competition for the best posters. Event organizers chose 27 judges from across campus to award $1,000 first-place and $500 second-place prizes in three categories: graduate student, postdoctoral fellow and clinical fellow.

Graduate students Louisa Villaneuve and Megan Prosser took first and second place, respectively; Jiehua Zhou, Ph.D., won first place and Fariba Norouziyan Cooper, Ph.D., and Daijun Ling, Ph.D., split the second-place prize in the postdoctoral fellow category; and clinical fellows Daniel Schiffner, M.D., April Sorrell, M.D., and Sumanta Pal, M.D., tied for first place, each receiving $500 for their achievement.

Booklets containing abstracts from event posters may be obtained by contacting Rivera at ext. 68204 or via e-mail at larivera@coh.org.