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VERSION:2.0
PRODID:icalendar-ruby
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
X-WR-CALNAME:Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center Distinguished Lecture Seri
 es
X-WR-TIMEZONE:Central Time (US & Canada)
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260908T115803Z
UID:tag:localist.com\,2008:EventInstance_53452314951747
DTSTART:20260807T170000Z
DTEND:20260807T180000Z
DESCRIPTION:Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center Distinguished Lecture Serie
 s\n\n“Identifying and Targeting Nutrient Dependencies in Cancer Cells”
 \n\nMaralice Connacci-Sorrell\, Ph.D.\n\nAssociate Professor\, Department 
 of Cell Biology | Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center\n\nJohn P.
  Perkins Distinguished Professor in Biomedical Science\n\nVirginia Murchis
 on Linthicum Scholar in Medical Research\n\nUT Southwestern Medical Center
 \n\n \n\nHosted by: Carlos Arteaga\, M.D.\n\nFriday\, August 7th | Noon\n\
 nNB5.124 Seminar Room (In-person Preferred)\n\nHybrid:\n\nZOOM Meeting\n\n
 Meeting ID: 946 6548 8783\n\nPasscode: 425620\n\n \n\nAbout Dr. Maralice C
 onacci-Sorrell:\n\nDr. Conacci-Sorrell’s research uncovers how changes i
 n cellular metabolism support uncontrolled growth in cancer and how these 
 vulnerabilities can be targeted. Her work focuses on two fundamental proce
 sses: nutrient utilization and protein synthesis. By studying how cancer
 ‑driving genes alter these pathways\, she aims to identify strategies th
 at disrupt tumor growth without harming normal tissues.\n\nCertain cancers
  depend heavily on nutrients such as tryptophan to fuel their growth. In l
 iver tumors\, these nutrients can be used to produce a metabolite that act
 s as a growth signal driving the cancer cells to multiply. Removing this n
 utrient from the diet can halt tumor growth and adding the metabolite rest
 ored it—revealing a potential therapeutic target. In parallel\, her stud
 ies on brain tumors revealed that blocking pyrimidine synthesis—the proc
 ess cells use to make DNA and RNA building blocks—slows tumor growth eve
 n in drug-resistant forms of brain cancer.\n\n“Dr. Conacci-Sorrell’s r
 esearch has been pivotal in advancing our understanding of how cellular pr
 ocesses drive disease and uncovering strategies to address them\,” said 
 Mary Beth Maddox Award and Lectureship Committee Chair Helen Heslop\, M.D.
 \, D.Sc. (Hon) (NAM)\, Baylor College of Medicine. “Equally notable is h
 er steadfast leadership and dedication to mentorship\, cultivating pathway
 s that open doors for the next generation of scientists.”\n\nDr. Conacci
 -Sorrell’s research has changed scientists’ understanding of how metab
 olic interventions can complement traditional cancer therapies. Her lab is
  working to develop new strategies to disrupt the processes of nutrient up
 take and metabolic utilization in cancer cells\, applying targeted interve
 ntions designed to impair their growth and survival.\n\nDr. Conacci-Sorrel
 l is an Associate Professor\, Department of Cell Biology at UT Southwester
 n Medical Center. She has received numerous honors\, including the John P.
  Perkins Distinguished Professorship in Biomedical Science\, the Southwest
 ern Academy of Teachers Outstanding Educator Award (2023)\, and the Excell
 ence in Postdoctoral Mentoring Award (2024).\n\nIn addition\, Dr. Conacci-
 Sorrell has trained more than 17 graduate and postdoctoral fellows\, chair
 ed the UT Southwestern Graduate School Admissions Committee\, and led init
 iatives to promote equity and inclusion.\n\nMeet the PI: https://labs.utso
 uthwestern.edu/sorrell-lab/about-us/meet-pi
GEO:32.820251;-96.845063
LOCATION:Simmons Biomedical Research Building (NB)\, NB5.124 Seminar Room
SUMMARY:Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center Distinguished Lecture Series
URL;VALUE=URI:https://events.utsouthwestern.edu/event/simmons-comprehensive
 -cancer-center-distinguished-lecture-series-1592
CATEGORIES:Academics & Co-Curricular
CATEGORIES:Research
CATEGORIES:Lecture
CATEGORIES:Faculty
CATEGORIES:Continuing Education (CE)
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