Important Dates

August 28, 2026

Abstract Submission
Opens

September 15, 2026

Center Recognition Award Nominee Submission Opens

October 5, 2026

Center Recognition Award Nominee Deadline

October 9, 2026

Abstract Submission
Deadline

November 9-12, 2026

Poster Drop-off

November 12-13, 2026

Walter Lawrence Research Retreat

Join us Friday morning for complimentary custom barista service courtesy of Eddie Rose Coffee featuring lattes, chai, matcha, and more!

In 2021, Massey officially named its Center-wide research retreat after the late Walter Lawrence, Jr., MD, who served as Massey’s first director from 1974-1988 and led Massey to receiving National Cancer Institute designation for its research efforts in 1975.

Dr. Lawrence was a leader in the field of surgical oncology and served as president of numerous organizations during his career, including the American Cancer Society, the Society of Surgical Oncology, the Halsted Society, and the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer. He was also given a Life Achievement in Science Award by the Science Museum of Virginia in 2002. Throughout his life and career, Dr. Lawrence fought repeatedly for social justice and health equity, tirelessly advocated for inclusivity in the medical workforce and championed the enrollment of underrepresented patients in clinical trials.

Dr. Lawrence was a very special person. To read more about his life and legacy, we point you to this wonderful profile inThe Cancer Letter, an article in theJournal of Surgical Oncology written by our own Harry Bear, who holds the Walter Lawrence, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Oncology Chair, and this tribute posted yesterday on theMassey Cancer Center website.

“If each of us could accomplish only a fraction of what he has done — and been a friend and mentor to so many and be loved by our families half as well — we would have done much indeed.”

-Harry D. Bear, MD, PhD

Professor

School of Medicine / Surgery / Surgical Oncology

Bernard Fuemmeler, PhD, MPH

Professor, Family Medicine & Population Health

Associate Director, Population Science

Bhaumik Patel, MD

Professor, Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care

Hisashi Harada, PhD

Professor, Philips Institute for Oral Health Research

V. Lokesh Battula, PhD

Professor, Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care

Assistant Director, Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination

Imad Damaj, PhD

Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology

Michela Saviana, PhD

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Mentor, Patrick Nana-Sinkam, MD

Patrick Willard, DO

Hematology-Oncology Fellow

Mentor, Keri Maher, DO

Victoria Neely

Pre-doctoral Student

Mentor, Hisashi Harada, PhD