Volume 7, Issue 2 | Spring 2022

Science Feature

Mona Al-Gizawiy, PhD, research scientist in the Schmainda Lab, discusses her research interests.

As research scientist in the lab of Kathleen Schmainda, PhD, I straddle multiple roles that include managing the lab and the patient brain tumor bank, as well as aiding in the curation and analysis of ongoing human subject research. My primary research role, however, is developing clinically relevant animal models and testing novel therapeutics. In collaboration with Christopher Chitambar, MD, we determined that iron and iron proteins play key roles in the growth of cancer stem cells in glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive type of brain tumor, and that these cells have a high metabolic requirement for iron that could be exploited for therapeutic purposes. Specifically, our initial published studies show that the iron metabolism of adult brain tumors can be exploited for therapeutic purposes [1]. We showed that gallium compounds interact with iron-binding proteins and disrupt their function in cancer cells. We further demonstrated that gallium maltolate (GaM), a novel metallocompound, retards the growth of an adult GBM xenograft in an orthotopic rat model of human brain tumor and inhibits the growth of GBM cells in vitro and in vivo. Since these initial studies, I have developed methods to orally administer GaM by training the rats to ingest GaM mixed with Nutella. In addition, I developed a rat xenograft model that was a better mimic of patient GBM by pre-irradiating the tumor cells before inoculation. Using these improved methods and models, we were able to demonstrate that oral GaM significantly decreases tumor growth rates and extends overall survival in rat models of adult treatment-resistant GBM, as well as pediatric GBM and pediatric atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor. 

These compelling findings led to the April 2022 launch of a phase I clinical trial of oral GaM in GBM patients at our institution [2]. Taking a drug from development in the lab to a clinical trial is a first for MCW. We hope to initiate a similar trial for pediatric central nervous system tumors in the near future.

1. Chitambar C, Al-Gizawiy M, Alhajala H, Pechman K, Wereley J, Wujek R, Clark P, Kuo J, Antholine W,
   Schmainda K. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. 2018;17(6):1240-1250. DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-17-1009
2. MCW News. Innovative Therapy that "Tricks" and Destroys Cancer Cells Advances to Clinical Trial. 2022.

Alumni Q&A

Learn about the diverse career paths our alumni have pursued after graduating from the Biophysics Graduate Program.

Douglas Prah, PhD, Assistant Professor, Radiation Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in science?

A: From early childhood, I have had curiosity for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The more time I spent in STEM courses, the more enjoyment I received. After completing an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering, I found myself wanting more. I started a master’s degree in biomedical engineering but found myself not feeling intellectually challenged. Before I completed that master’s program, I was accepted into the Biophysics doctoral program at MCW.

Q: Since obtaining your PhD here in Biophysics in 2008, share with us your career progression to your current role as assistant professor of radiation oncology at MCW.

A: After completing the doctoral program in Biophysics, I started a postdoctoral fellowship in Radiation Oncology at MCW. I had the opportunity to transition into the inaugural class of the MCW Radiation Oncology Medical Physicist Residency Program for therapeutic medical physics. Upon completion of the three-year residency, I was hired on as a staff physicist. Since then, I have worked my way to my current position as an assistant professor of radiation oncology.

Q: Tell us about your major responsibilities, and what projects, committee service, or other activities you might work on in a typical week.

A: I currently oversee medical dosimetry across the Froedtert & MCW enterprise. Most of my responsibilities are clinical, which include overseeing the creation of treatment plans, quality assurance of treatment planning, and delivery of treatment equipment and radiation safety for patients and staff. My departmental committees include chair, Service and Technology Implementation and Review Committee; chair, Accreditation Program for Excellence (APEx)/American College of Radiology (ACR) Accreditation Committee; Patient Safety and Quality Committee; and Clinical Operations Committee. My institutional committees include IT Faculty Committee and Radiation Safety Committee. My national committees include American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Medical Education Committee, ASTRO CME/MOC Committee, ASTRO APEx Accreditation Committee,  American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group on 3D Printing, AAPM Task Group on CT Simulation QA, and American Board of Radiology Examiner.

Q: What aspect of your current job do you find most rewarding, and why?

A: I’m blessed to have an extremely rewarding position. I enjoy knowing that my work directly improves the lives of the patients. Furthermore, I work with an amazing group of caring and intelligent physicians, physicists, dosimetrists, radiation therapists, and nurses.

Q: What advice do you wish you had been given as a graduate student?

A: Be open minded and adaptable; you never know where your future may lead you. Make sure that you always enjoy your work; nothing is better than finishing the day like it just started. Your reputation is important; become the person that everyone relies on for the answers.

Q: What qualities would you look for if you were in the position to hire a recent graduate from MCW?

A: I would look for someone that is enthusiastic and throws themselves into their work; someone that genuinely enjoys their work. Knowledge might get you the interview, but passion for your work is more important than knowledge; knowledge will always come to someone that is passionate. 

Q: How do you continue learning and growing as a professional? What are some of your habits aside from reading/listening?

A: As a diplomat of the American Board of Radiology, I’m required to complete 75 credits of continuing medical education over a three-year sliding window. Also, to maintain my certification, I participate in Online Longitudinal Assessment, which occurs weekly. This regularly tests my knowledge, and provides me direct feedback for areas in which I can self-improve. I participate in conferences—mainly ASTRO and AAPM—attending as many sessions as possible. We also have local chapters of AAPM and ACR. I complete quality improvement projects regularly within my department, which improves my knowledge and benefits the entire department. Finally, I don’t starve my curiosity; when questions arise, I look for answers!

Department News

Welcome

• Bryna Goeckner (graduate student, Meier Lab)
• William Gross  (appointed to secondary faculty in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences)
• Aleksandra Winiarz (graduate student, LaViolette Lab)

Farewell

• Guangyu (Gary) Chen (research scientist, Li Lab)
• Janet Pradarelli (financial specialist; transferred to CTSI)
• Natalia Stein (postdoctoral fellow, Subczynski Lab)

Congratulations

• Gang Cheng and Balaraman Kalyanaraman published an article in Scientific Reports.
• Savannah Duenweg and Samuel Bobholz published an article in Tomography.
• Balaraman Kalyanaraman published an article in The FASEB Journal and an article in Advanced Science.
• Balaraman Kalyanaraman and Jacek Zielonka are inventors of a new US patent for mitochondria-targeted metformin compounds to treat cancer.
• Seung-Yi Lee successfully defended her dissertation, titled "From Characterization to Treatment of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury in Rat Models Using Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging."
• Melissa Prah, Robert Wujek, Mona Al-Gizawiy, and Kathleen Schmainda published an article in Tomography.
• Kathleen Schmainda published two articles (Part 1 and Part 2), which give a position statement on evidence supporting the use of advanced MRI techniques in the clinic, in Frontiers in Oncology.
• Kathleen Schmainda received MPI R01CA264992, Establishing the Clinical Utility of a Consensus DSC-MRI Protocol, with Jerrold Boxerman, Leland Hu, and Christopher Chad Quarles (contact PI).
• Kathryn Schultz and Candice Klug published an article in Journal of Molecular Biology.
• Karol Subczynski and Natalia Stein published a chapter in Cholesterol: From Chemistry and Biophysics to the Clinic.

MCW Libraries Announcements

Scholarly Communication Webinar Series

MCW Libraries has launched a series of webinars focusing on scholarly research and publishing processes and practices. The webinars are held on Zoom and available to anyone in the MCW Community. Information on upcoming and previous webinars is available on the MCW Libraries Scholarly Communications page.

New E-book Content Available: Case Files Collection from AccessMedicine

MCW Libraries recently acquired subscription access to AccessMedicine’s Case Files Collection, which includes seven titles in the basic sciences: Anatomy, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Pathology, Pharmacology, and Physiology.

The Case Files Collection helps students learn and apply basic science and clinical medicine concepts in the context of realistic patient cases, and it features an interactive format to help students learn and retain knowledge, and personalized functionality to let users mark their progress through completed and unseen cases.

Within the Access products, create a free MyAccess Profile to bookmark content and track self-assessment progress.  

What Can We Gain When We Listen?

By Lydia Washechek, BA, scientific copy editor, Biophysics

Often, our days are a mosaic of emails, zoom calls, phone calls, texts, and social media, and all of this in addition to the tasks at hand. When someone talks to us, it is easy to dismiss or assume—rather than fully absorb and consider—what is being communicated to us.

In an interview with the Kern Institute’s Transformational Times, MCW President John Raymond discussed moving from one institution to another and how he “tried to remember to be a good listener” with “each major move during [his] career” and that “with each move, [he] re-committed to sharpening [his] active listening skills.” The idea of active listening resonates. How often do we actively listen to one another? And what can we gain when we adopt this practice?

People are accustomed to being cut off, ignored, and/or misunderstood [1]. Active listening—a skill that requires conscious effort, concentration, and interest—can rectify this. It is a technique “to explore the other person’s point of view, not sway it” and allows the speaker to feel heard [1].

An active listener does not interrupt the speaker and does not formulate a stance until the speaker has finished speaking [2]. Active listening helps one “understand other people’s attitudes and motivations, which is essential in building cooperative and productive relationships” and in gaining trust [1]. Active listeners increase productivity, achieve permanent learning, improve relationships, improve persuasive and negotiation skills, and help reduce conflict and misunderstandings.

The next time someone speaks to you, practice your active listening skills. You may be surprised at what you learn.

1. Murphy K. Talk Less. Listen More. Here’s How. New York Times, 2020. 
2. Canpolat M et al. Active Listening Strategies of Academically Successful University Students. Eurasian J Educ Res. 60: 163-180, 2015.

Recipe

Sheer Khurma

Eid al-Fitr, the "Fest of Breaking the Fast," is celebrated at the end of Ramadan. Sheer khurma is a traditional dish often enjoyed as part of the celebration.

Recipe by Cook with Manali

Directions

1. Heat ghee in a pan on medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped nuts, raisins, and dates to the pan.
2. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the nuts are fragrant and golden brown, and the raisins have plumped up. Remove the mixture from the pan and set it aside.
3. Add the vermicelli to the pan and stir well well.
4. Roast the vermicelli for ~3 minutes until it becomes a light golden brown.
5. If using khoya, add it to the pan and and roast it for 1–2 minutes.
6. Add the milk to the pan and stir. Increase heat to medium high and let the milk come to a boil. Stir often, so that vermicelli doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
7. Once the milk boils, lower the heat to medium and let it simmer for ~8 minutes. It will reduce and thicken slightly.
8. Stir in the sugar.
9. Transfer the nut/raisin/date mixture back into the pan and mix well.
10. Stir in the rose water and the cardamom powder.
11. Cook for 2–3 minutes on medium-low heat, and then remove from the burner.
12. Serve sheer khurma warm or chilled. 

Biophysics News is a quarterly MCW departmental newsletter aimed at enhancing departmental engagement through information and good news sharing. Do you have information you’d like to share—news, a photo, a recipe? Send it to Lydia.

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