The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation applauds the University of Notre Dame for sending three student investigators to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation’s International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma from March 5-7.
Three student investigators from the University of Notre Dame will attend the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation’s International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma this year as part of a plan to finalize the “James A. ‘Jim’ Grogan Endowed Fund for Excellence” at the university. Jim Grogan is General President of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators Union (formerly the Asbestos Workers) and is a friend of all who are trying to treat and cure mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
The three students this year were selected from applications submitted to Dr. Deb Rotman at Notre Dame’s Center for Undergraduate Scholarship Engagement (CUSE) program. The students will be given a stipend that will cover all their housing and travel expenses and payment for the time spent in their summer scholarship. The CUSE Program at Notre Dame “creates opportunities for undergraduate research by connecting students to resources,” said Dr. Deb Rotman, the Director of the CUSE Program at Notre Dame, who can be contacted at rotman.1(at)nd(dot)edu.
“This is a unique opportunity to capture young students, with the hope that they will develop a lasting passion for mesothelioma clinical research, and a commitment to the patients with whom they will interact at the Symposium,” said the executive director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, Mary Hesdorffer, NP.
The Jim Grogan Endowment will be used to fund a student each year for a Summer Internship in asbestos related medical research: specifically, the early detection, effective treatment or cure of asbestos induced disease, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. These ‘Jim Grogan Fellows’ will hopefully help many researchers in years to come.
The Meso Foundation’s International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma will be held from March 5-7 at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center in Alexandria Virginia. Symposium events will include an advocacy day on Capitol Hill, science and community sessions, a Celebration of Life ceremony, an Awards Dinner, a Community Dinner featuring the Meso Fighters Band, and more. A full list of events, topics, and speakers can be found at https://www.curemeso.org/symposium.
Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor of the lining of the lung, abdomen, or heart known to be caused by exposure to asbestos. Medical experts consider it one of the most aggressive and deadly of all cancers. Approximately 3,500 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year and an estimated one-third were exposed while serving in the Navy or working in shipyards.
About the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
The Meso Foundation is the only 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating mesothelioma and easing the suffering caused by this cancer. The Meso Foundation actively seeks philanthropic support to fund peer-reviewed mesothelioma research; provide patient support services and education; and advocate Congress for increased federal funding for mesothelioma research. The Meso Foundation is the only non-government funder of peer reviewed scientific research to establish effective treatments for mesothelioma and, ultimately, a cure for this extremely aggressive cancer. To date, the Foundation has awarded over $8.7 million to research. More information is available at https://www.curemeso.org.
