Dr. Jessica Wilcox, MD (Chief Fellow, Class of 2021), and her mentor Dr. Adrienne Boire, MD PhD, discussing their first-in-human clinical trial in development for patients with leptomeningeal metastases.
Our fellows receive training in clinical research methodology through the NIH-funded Clinical Research and Methodology Curriculum (CRMC). Fellows are also encouraged to participate in longitudinal Protocol Writing and Biostatistics courses.
Throughout training, fellows serve as departmental protocol reviewers—gaining experience in the critical thinking skills required for investigator-initiated study design. They have the opportunity to pair with a faculty mentor to execute a longitudinal basic, translational, or clinical research project.
MSK offers access to some of the top clinical investigators in the field of neuro-oncology. Our fellowship also has a strong track record of producing translational and bench research scientists at the world-renowned MSKC research laboratories. Applicants interested in pursuing bench research are encouraged to contact Alexis Schmidt ([email protected]) for more information.
Approximately 20 weeks of elective time may be dedicated to research in the first year of fellowship, with an additional 40 weeks in the second year of the fellowship.
Additional Information
Our fellows are given the opportunity to attend and present at national meetings such as the Society for Neuro-Oncology, American Academy of Neurology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and American Society of Hematology. Participation at these meetings is strongly encouraged. Examples of fellow presentations are below.
Our fellows are supported by intramural funding sources, but as part of the training process they are provided with the tools necessary to apply for extramural sources of funding to support their career development. Those interested in pursuing funding for a basic or translational science project may apply for a two-year K12 training grant.
Recent Presentations in National Meetings
Abstract Title: “BRAFV600E-mutant glioblastoma responds to combination BRAF/MEK inhibition with encorafenib and binimetinib”
Presenter:Elizabeth Coffee, MD
Mentor: Thomas Kaley, MD
American Academy of Neurology 2022 Meeting
Abstract Title: “Leptomeningeal Disease in Patients with Histone-Mutant Gliomas”
Presenter: Maria Diaz Ordonez, MD
Mentor: Elena Pentsova, MD
American Academy of Neurology 2022 Meeting
Abstract Title: “Long-term survival and cognitive function follow up ofprimary CNS lymphoma treated with R-MVP followed by highdose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantconsolidation”
Presenter: Kate Therkelsen, MD
Mentor: Christian Grommes, MD
American Academy of Neurology 2022 Meeting
Abstract Title: “Role of PARP Inhibitors with Concurrent Temozolomide in Recurrent Gliomas”
Presenter: Marina Kushnirsky, MD
Mentor: Lauren Schaff, MD
American Academy of Neurology 2022 Meeting
Abstract Title: “An IDH Wildtype, EGFR Amplified and TERT Promoter Mutated Astrocytoma that is Clinically and Molecularly Incompatible with the Diagnosis of Glioblastoma, IDH Wildtype.”
Presenter: Marina Kushnirsky, MD
Mentor: Andrew Lin, MD
American Academy of Neurology 2022 Meeting
Abstract Title: “Leptomeningeal disease in patients with histone-mutant gliomas”
Presenter: Maria Diaz Ordonez, MD
Mentor: Elena Pentsova, MD
Society of Neuro-Oncology 2021 Meeting
Abstract Title: “Long-term survival and cognitive function follow up of primary CNS lymphoma treated with R-MVP followed by high dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant consolidation”
Presenter: Kate Therkelsen, MD
Mentor: Christian Grommes, MD
Society of Neuro-Oncology 2021 Meeting
Abstract Title: “The CDK4/6 Inhibitor Abemaciclib in Patients with Recurrent Meningioma and other Primary CNS Tumors”
Presenter: Elizabeth Coffee, MD
Mentor: Thomas Kaley, MD
Society of Neuro-Oncology 2021 Meeting
Abstract Title: “Cerebrospinal fluid circulating tumor cells are a predictive biomarker for proton craniospinal irradiation for leptomeningeal metastases”
Presenter: Maria Diaz Ordonez, MD
Mentor: Elena Pentsova, MD
American Society of Clinical Oncology 2021 Meeting
Abstract Title: “An inflammatory leptomeningeal signature in cancer patients with neurologic manifestations of COVID-19”
Presenter: Jessica Wilcox, MD
Mentor: Adrienne Boire, MD, PhD
American Association for Cancer Research 2021 Meeting
Abstract Title: “Clinical and Molecular Features of a Prospectively-Sequenced Cohort of Glioblastoma Patients with Inherited Disorders in Mismatch Repair”
Presenter: Kevin Elmore, MD
Mentor: Andrew Lin, MD
America Academy of Neurology 2021 Meeting
Recent Fellow Research Awards
Fellow: Elizabeth Coffee, awarded training grant during fellowship
Mentor: Kayvan Keshari, Ingo Mellinghoff
Project Title: Hyperpolarized dehydroascorbate (HP DHA) to quantify oxidative stress and its role in the radioresistance of glioblastoma
Source: The Tow Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, Center for Molecular Imaging and Nanotechnology
Fellow: Jessica Wilcox, awarded training grant during fellowship
Mentor: Adrienne Boire
Project Title: Phase 1a/1b Trial to Assess Safety and Bioactivity of Intrathecal Deferoxamine in Patients with Leptomeningeal Metastases from Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Source: ASCO 2021 Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award
Fellow: Ivan Kotchetkov, awarded training grant during fellowship
Mentor: Michel Sadelain
Project Title: Development of ANTXR1 Targeting CAR T cells in Glioblastoma
Source: T32 Training Award, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Fellow: Maya Graham, awarded training grant during fellowship
Mentor: Ingo Mellinghoff
Project Title: Dissecting Epigenomic Reprogramming Mediated by Oncohistones in Pediatric High-Grade Glioma Using Human Cerebral Organoids
Source: T32 Training Award, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Fellow: Rebecca Brown, awarded training grant during fellowship
Mentor: Luis Parada
Project Title: Malignant Conversion of Benign Plexiform Neurofibromas in NF1: Role of a Pre-Cancerous Stem Cell-Like Population
Source: T32 Training Award, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center