Wednesday, September 16, 2026
01:00 PM
-
02:00 PM
Griffin Cancer Research Building
Free
Dr. Medhi Wangpaichitr to present on” Cancer Models for Precision Medicine and Therapy Resistance” and Dr. Melissa Lopez Pentecost “From Dietary Exposures to Cancer Outcomes” at Upcoming Cancer Metabolism Cross-Cutting Theme Meeting.
Join us for a engaging scientific presentation at the Cancer Metabolism Cross-Cutting Theme Meeting, advancing discovery through collaboration and scientific exchange.
Precision medicine requires predictive preclinical models that faithfully capture the biological complexity and heterogeneity of human cancer. Patient-derived tumor organoids (PDOTs) enable rapid, patient-specific drug screening, while orthotopic lung cancer models recapitulate tumor behavior within the native lung microenvironment. Together, these complementary platforms provide a powerful framework for therapeutic prioritization, biomarker discovery, and validation of treatment responses, ultimately accelerating the development of more effective and individualized cancer therapies.
Dr. Medhi Wangpaichitr is a Research Professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, and a member of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. He serves as Head of Endocrine and Polypeptide and leads the Lung Biology and Diseases Programs at the Miami VA Healthcare System. His research focuses on the metabolic mechanisms that drive cancer therapy resistance. In parallel, his team engineers advanced preclinical models, including patient-derived organoid tumors (PDOTs) and orthotopic mouse models.
Nutrition influences cancer across the continuum, yet understanding its biological and clinical impact remains challenging. This presentation will explore how dietary assessment and multidimensional measures of nutritional status can be integrated to better characterize nutritional exposure, metabolic response, and vulnerability during cancer treatment. Examples from lifestyle and cancer intervention studies will highlight opportunities to connect nutrition with cancer outcomes and advance a more precise, biologically informed approach to nutrition in cancer.
Dr. Melissa Lopez is a Registered Dietitian and Assistant Professor in the Division of Prevention Sciences in Public Health at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She also serves as the Lead for Nutrition in Lifestyle Medicine and Prevention at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Lopez’s research integrates clinical, community-based, and metabolic approaches to investigate the role of nutrition and lifestyle in cancer prevention and treatment across the cancer care continuum. Dr. Lopez’ research leverages interdisciplinary approaches to identify modifiable behavioral and metabolic targets that inform personalized nutrition and lifestyle strategies aimed at improving cancer-related outcomes.
Virtual Link: https://miami.zoom.us/j/97709898106?pwd=ld1EkmxeZNHaOsIbcqCefvh6eTXBF5.1
Meeting ID: 977-0989-8106
Passcode: 272713
In-Person Location: GCRB 402