McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research
Department of Oncology

McArdle Students Win UWCCC Trainee Network Travel/ Enrichment Award

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 Started in 2019, the Heidi Dvinge and Patti Keely Cancer Trainee Network aims to bring cancer researchers from the basic to the clinical domains under one umbrella and foster interactions, support and networking opportunities. As part of this mission, it recognizes outstanding graduate and medical students/ residents/ clinical and research fellows/ postdocs with the semi-annual Heidi Dvinge and Patti Keely Cancer Trainee Network Travel/Enrichment Award.

The McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research is proud to highlight the two brilliant recipients of the 5th semi-annual Cancer Trainee Network Travel/Enrichment Award:

  • Renee King from Dr. Paul Lambert’s Laboratory
  • Alexa E. Schmitz from Dr. Dustin Deming’s Laboratory

Student Profile: Renee King

  1. Where are you from and what made you join the department?

I’m originally from Williamsburg, Virginia, but I’ve been at UW-Madison since 2015. I joined the department in 2022 to study HPV in Dr. Paul Lambert’s lab.

  1. What made you choose your current lab and the project you are working on?

I am clinically trained as a speech-language pathologist with specialized training in voice disorders. One of these disorders is recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), which is caused by infection of the larynx (voice box) with low-risk HPV. RRP patients have benign papillomas growing in their larynx that make their voices very hoarse, and can also affect breathing. Most of these patients require repeated surgeries to keep the papilloma growth under control. I am interested in developing novel preclinical models of RRP to better understand this disease and to eventually help develop novel treatments. I chose the Lambert lab for my postdoc to gain experience in mouse models of HPV-associated disease, which I am applying to the study of RRP.

  1. How do you de-stress from work?

My hobbies are roller skating, coaching, and refereeing with Madison Roller Derby, and cross-stitching. I also spend time with my family and dog.

  1. What made you join the Cancer Trainee Network and how did you hear about the Travel/ Enrichment Award?

I joined the Cancer Trainee Network during abstract submission to the UW CCC Research Retreat because I wanted my poster to be eligible for awards. I heard about the Travel/Enrichment Award through the trainee network email list and from email lists in McArdle.

  1. Any advice for interested applicants who wish to join the Cancer Trainee Network and apply for the Travel/ Enrichment Award?

My advice for trainees applying to awards is to be as intentional about your professional development as you are about your science throughout your training. You should be able to clearly and specifically describe the importance of the award to your career. Also, when in doubt, apply!

Student Profile: Alexa E. Schmitz

  1. Where are you from and what made you join the department?

I am from Cedar Falls, Iowa and went to undergrad at Creighton University, which is in Omaha Nebraska. My recruitment was all online since it was during the pandemic. Even though I was not able to physically meet everyone and to tour the campus, I really enjoyed all the sessions we had with the current students at that time. One thing that really stood out to me is that it seemed that everyone got along and had great things to say about the department and the program. Another aspect that made me chose this program was all the different types of labs that were available to join (basic and translational work).

  1. What made you choose your current lab and the project you are workingon?

Before I started grad school, I had an interest in doing colorectal cancer research due to family history. When I rotated in the Deming lab, I enjoyed working with organoids and the idea at looking at combination therapies to better treat CRC patients, which is now my project. Lastly, the members of the lab were (and still) nice and helpful if I had any questions about science.

  1. How do you de-stress from work?

A couple ways I de-stress is during the summer and fall I go on walks around the lake listening to music after work. This helps clear my mind and focus on other things besides school. Additionally, I enjoy reading fiction books. My favorite authors right now are Riley Sager and James Patterson.

  1. What made you join the Cancer Trainee Network and how did you hear about the Travel/ Enrichment Award?

The reason I joined the Cancer Trainee Network is the opportunities it presents to graduate students. Not only do they provide travel awards for student to be able to go to national conferences, but also are a way to meet other graduate students in other research labs. I heard about the travel grants through emails that were sent by the trainee network and other students in the network as well.

  1. Any advice for interested applicants who wish to join the Cancer Trainee Network and apply for the Travel/ Enrichment Award?

For graduate students who are involved in cancer research, I would say join the cancer trainee network! You can connect with other students, go to seminars hosted by this network, and apply for travel grants to present your research at national conferences. For students thinking of applying for travel grants,  it is a great opportunity to not only present your research to other researchers but also to network with people in your field around the country/world for ideas about your project or advice on applying for jobs after school.

To learn more about The Cancer Trainee Network and apply for the Travel/ Enrichment Award, check out the following links: