The Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology (PCB) brought together faculty, trainees, and staff for two days of scientific exchange and recognition at the annual department retreat, held September 17 and 18 on the Duke University medical campus.
Six faculty members and 15 trainees presented their work during three scientific sessions, and nearly 60 trainees showcased their projects in a judged poster session.
Bruce R. Donald, PhD, James B. Duke Professor of Computer Science at Duke University, delivered the keynote address, “Translation of AI-Driven Drug Design for Novel Therapeutics.”
The retreat underscored the department’s commitment to advancing cancer biology and pharmacology research while fostering collaboration and celebrating trainee success.
In closing remarks, Department Chair Lee Zhou, PhD, praised the breadth and depth of the research that was presented over the two days. “This retreat reminds me how lucky we are,” he said. “I feel so fortunate to be in the department and to be a colleague of yours.”
Celebrating Excellence
The retreat also honored outstanding research and academic achievements.
The Robert J. Fitzgerald Scholars award recognized the most significant first-author, peer-reviewed manuscripts published by students, fellows, and staff research scientists in the past year. Each winner received a plaque.
- Oliver Chung, PhD (Zhang Lab), published in PNAS.
- A-Rum Kim, PhD (Greg Wang Lab), published in Nature Cell Biology.
- Seth Zimmerman, PhD (Counter Lab), published in Nature Communications.
The Fitzgerald Academic Achievement Award recognize trainees who have earned competitive, externally sponsored fellowships in the past year. Each winner received a certificate.
- Chloe Barrington-Ham, PhD (Darnell Lab)
- Erin Dickert (Fox Lab)
- Benjamin Hanna (Oliver Lab)
- Jacob Klemm, PhD (Fox Lab)
- Nora Madaras (Wingler Lab)
- Taylor Nguyen (Wood Lab and Zou Lab)
- Kevin Scott (Pendergast Lab)
- Josh Silva (Fox Lab)
Poster Awards
Faculty judges selected the best posters from the retreat poster session. Each winner received a ribbon.
- Arijit Ghosh, PhD (Zou Lab)
- Kevin Scott (Pendergast Lab)
- Susannah Gammell (Sullenger Lab)
- Katherine Hall (Tsvetanova Lab)
- Calista Busch (Roper Lab)
- Nana Acheampong (Wingler Lab)
- Kalina Larsen (Donnelly Lab)
- Yuchen Zhang, PhD (Counter Lab)
- Nolan Bick (Zou Lab)
- Jacob Klemm, PhD (Fox Lab)