LustgartenLIVE!
Welcome to Lustgarten LIVE; our live-streamed webinar series created to introduce you to best-in-class experts from the field of pancreatic cancer research, technology, and science.
Each webinar in the series will focus on a different aspect of the research funded through your donations.
Hope is on the horizon!
Past LustgartenLive! Webinars
LustgartenLIVE! Turning Hope into Expectations
Thanks to your steadfast support, 2025 was another consequential year for the Lustgarten Foundation. Together, we have driven meaningful advances in pancreatic cancer research and laid the groundwork that we believe will reap dividends for patients.
Hear an exclusive update as Lustgarten’s CEO, Linda Tantawi, Vice President of Research, Andrew Rakeman, PhD; Chief Scientist, David Tuveson, MD, PhD; and Chief Medical Advisor, Elizabeth Jaffee, MD, share insights into the breakthroughs shaping today’s research landscape – and the ambitious path forward we’re pursuing to transform outcomes.
LustgartenLIVE! Delivering Point of Care
Breakthroughs in precision testing are reshaping what’s possible in pancreatic cancer care.
Delivering Point of Care brings together leading experts to explore how the latest advances in genetic and genomic testing are transforming how we detect, treat, and manage this disease—and how these innovations are making personalized care a reality for every patient.
Watch Erin Billups, National Health Reporter at Spectrum News, as she moderates an inspiring conversation with:
- Linda Tantawi, CEO, Lustgarten Foundation
- Jeff Boyd, PhD, VP and Chief Scientific Officer, Director, Center for Genomic Medicine, Northwell Health Cancer Institute
- Daniel King, MD, PhD, Director of Research and Development, Center for Genomic Medicine, Northwell Health Cancer Institute
Together, they unpacked how precision testing is helping to:
- reveal inherited cancer risks before symptoms appear.
- match patients to the most effective targeted therapies.
- empower families with knowledge to manage broader cancer risk.
You will learn how these innovations are driving faster diagnoses, unlocking access to cutting-edge clinical trials, and improving outcomes for patients.
The Lustgarten Sprint to Discovery
Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed too late—but what if we could catch it earlier, when it’s still curable?
In this illuminating conversation featuring Laura Wood, MD, PhD, an expert in pancreatic cancer pathology, and Elliot Fishman, MD, a pioneer in using artificial intelligence to revolutionize cancer imaging. Together, they discussed how cutting-edge research is changing what’s possible in early detection.
Dr. Wood shared how her work decoding precancerous lesions is revealing critical insights into how pancreatic cancer develops —insights that are laying the groundwork for early interception. Dr. Fishman discussed how advanced imaging and AI algorithms are pushing the boundaries of what radiologists can see, identifying cancers that were previously undetectable.
This was a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes with two scientists working to shift pancreatic cancer from a late-stage diagnosis to a disease that can be found — and stopped — early.
The Lustgarten Sprint to Discovery
In this interactive Lustgarten LIVE symposium, moderated by Lustgarten’s VP, Research, Andrew Rakeman, PhD, postdoctoral researchers from our six premier Lustgarten LABS competed in The Lustgarten Sprint to Discovery, each with just four minutes to explain their research in a way that’s engaging, understandable, and impactful. Designed with you in mind, this isn’t about jargon—it’s about clarity, urgency, and why their discoveries matter.
What We All Need to Know about Vaccine Development for Pancreatic Cancer
Andrew Rakeman, PhD, VP, Research, Lustgarten Foundation, had a roundtable discussion with Neeha Zaidi, MD, Associate Professor of Oncology, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Benjamin Greenbaum, PhD, Director of Computational Immuno-Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Center.
Highlights included:
- Strategies being developed to improve cancer immunotherapies, including cancer vaccines.
- Catching pancreatic cancer in its earliest stages—or even preventing it altogether.
Progress is Paramount: Reflecting on the Past, Shaping the Future- Thanks to your unwavering support, 2024 has been a remarkable year for the Lustgarten Foundation. We’ve made significant strides in pancreatic cancer research, and we believe the year ahead will mark a pivotal turning point in our mission to transform outcomes for patients.
Join us for an exclusive update as Lustgarten’s Vice President of Research, Andrew Rakeman, PhD, Chief Scientist David Tuveson, MD, PhD, and Chief Medical Advisor Elizabeth Jaffee, MD, share insights into groundbreaking advancements and the exciting road ahead in pancreatic cancer research.
Lustgarten LABS: Fostering Collaboration and Accelerating Breakthroughs – Learn how our LABS (Lustgarten Advancing Breakthrough Science) program fosters collaboration and accelerates breakthroughs in research from three of our six internationally renowned Lustgarten lab leaders — Tyler Jacks, PhD, Brian Wolpin, MD, PhD, and Reuben Shaw, PhD. Watch as they discuss the impact that their approaches are having, and the outcomes that could matter most for patients.
What the Future of Immunotherapy Could Mean for Pancreatic Cancer– Despite the success of immunotherapy in treating cancers like melanoma, lung cancer, and lymphoma, it hasn’t had the same impact on pancreatic cancer.
There is active research, led by Lustgarten, into overcoming these challenges, including combining immunotherapy with other treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or novel agents that target the tumor microenvironment. Some promising approaches include vaccines that stimulate an immune response, CAR T-cell therapy specific to pancreatic cancer, and treatments that modify the tumor’s stroma or immune landscape to make it more susceptible to immune attack.
Join internationally renowned cancer immunotherapy and translational research expert, Robert H. Vonderheide, MD, DPhil, Director of the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania for a one-on-one discussion with Lustgarten’s VP Research, Andrew Rakeman, PhD as they discuss future breakthroughs in this fast-growing field.
A Critical Conversation on Pancreatic Cancer Among African Americans– In honor of Juneteenth, join Erin Billups & renowned researchers for “A Critical Conversation on Pancreatic Cancer Among African Americans.”The Lustgarten Foundation believes that everyone deserves a seat at the table to help us achieve our mission of transforming pancreatic cancer into a curable disease.
2023 Year in Review – It’s a wrap! We’re proud of the progress the Lustgarten Foundation has made in pancreatic cancer research this year. Watch an illuminating discussion between Lustgarten’s VP of Research, Andrew Rakeman, PhD, Chief Scientist David Tuveson, MD, PhD, and Chief Medical Advisor Elizabeth Jaffee, MD, highlighting several exciting developments from 2023!
Leading the Way: Equity, Accessibility and Diversity in Pancreatic Cancer Research – In honor of Juneteenth, a distinguished panel of healthcare professionals discuss clinical trial participation, Health Equity vs. Health Equality and real progress being made in research and therapies for ALL patients.
From the Clinic to the Lab, to You: How Research, Led by Lustgarten, Is Transforming Patient Care at Your Local Cancer Center – Our roundtable of experts from across the cancer continuum discuss what is changing in clinical care and how research is driving these developments.
International Women’s Day | The Power of Persistence: Women Transforming Cancer Research and Care – Join us as we hear from some of the most influential women in pancreatic cancer research and care.
Our Landmark Partnership with Break Through Cancer -Join Tyler Jacks, PhD, President, Break Through Cancer, Andrew Rakeman, PhD, Vice President of Research, together with Andrew Aguirre, MD, PhD and Laura Wood, MD, PhD, as they discuss how Break Through Cancer is empowering outstanding researchers and physicians to both intercept and find cures for pancreatic cancer by stimulating radical collaboration.
Progress and Promise 2022: Our Year-End Report –This is it! Our year-end summary of how research, led by Lustgarten, is transforming pancreatic cancer into a curable disease.Featured Speakers:
Linda Tantawi, CEO; Andrew Rakeman, PhD, Vice President of Research; David Tuveson, MD, PhD, Chief Scientist; Elizabeth Jaffee, MD, Chief Medical Advisor
Hope is On the Horizon: Together we can transform pancreatic cancer into a curable disease –How do clinical trials get launched and which ones are taking place now at Johns Hopkins? Learn about the difference between genetics and genomics and why it matters. How close are we to developing a pancreatic cancer vaccine?Featured Sessions:
Clinical Trials: Where We Begin and Why (Sejin Chung, PhD); Clinical Trials: What is Underway at Johns Hopkins (Trish Brothers, BSN, RN, OCN and Beth Onners, RN, MSN); Genetics vs. Genomics (Dea Cunningham, RN, MSN); Cancer Vaccines (Sejin Chung, PhD and Beth Onners, RN, MSN)
–Leading experts from across the pancreatic cancer spectrum discuss how science and technology converge to hasten discoveries in patient treatment and careFeatured Sessions:
Early Detection and Interception: Harnessing New Technologies to Drive Better Outcomes (Brian Wolpin, MD; Sam Levy, PhD; Neeha Zaidi, MD); The Future is Now: Advancements in Treatment and Care; MRI-Guided Radiation Therapy and Tumor Treating Fields (Michael Chuong, MD); An Organoid for Predicting Neoadjuvant Therapy (Dan King, MD, PhD; Amber Habowski, PhD)
Leading the Way: Equity, Accessibility and Diversity in Pancreatic Cancer Research –In 2021, the Lustgarten Foundation launched the “Lustgarten Foundation Career Development Award for Pancreatic Cancer Research in Honor of John Lewis,” to increase representation, and foster the career advancement of young minority investigators.Featured Sessions:
The ‘Global Majority’: Encouraging Recruitment of Diverse Talent in BioPharma (Monique Phillips); Health Equity and Inclusion in the Research Community + Update on their Lustgarten-Funded Research (Avery Posey, Jr., PhD and Edwin Manuel, PhD); The Genomic Basis for Disparities in Pancreatic Cancer in African American Patients and Why This Lustgarten-Funded Study Represents an Important Milestone in Cancer Research (Howard Crawford, MD); Why Increasing Diversity in Clinical Trials Benefits All Patients (Nina Garambone, MPH, CCRC)
From the Clinic to the Lab, To You: How research, Led by Lustgarten, is transforming patient care at your local cancer center –A roundtable of experts from across the cancer continuum will discuss care today and what breakthrough developments in research could mean for patients in the future.Featured Speakers:
David Tuveson, MD, PhD; Chief Scientist and Director, Lustgarten Foundation Dedicated Lab at Cold Spring Harbor Cancer Center; President, American Association of Cancer Research, Mark H. O’Hara, MD; Assistant Professor of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Eileen M. O’Reilly, MD; Winthrop Rockefeller Endowed Chair in Medical Oncology; Co-Director, Medical Initiatives, David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Daniel A. King, MD, PhD; Director of Research and Development, Northwell Health Cancer Institute Center for Genomic Medicine, Domenech Asbun, MD; Hepatobiliary, pancreas and foregut surgeon, Miami Cancer Institute, Allyson J. Ocean, MD; Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University; Attending physician, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
The Power of Persistence: Women Transforming Cancer Research & Care, March 8, 2022 –To celebrate international women’s day, watch Lustgarten Foundation’s dynamic conversation featuring cancer experts whose work is accelerating the pace of discovery.- Multidisciplinary Care in Cancer Centers: Why it Matters with Katey Kennedy, 1440 Foundation; Christine A. Iacobuzio-Donahue, MD, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Danielle DePeralta, MD, Northwell Health Cancer Institute
- Seeing Beyond: New Horizons in Cancer Research with Nilofer Saba Azad, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine; Jennifer J. Knox MSc, MD, FRCPC, Princess Margaret Cancer Center; Jen Jen Yeh, MD, UNC Medicine; Margaret Foti, PhD, MD, American Association of Cancer Research
- Lustgarten Foundation Career Development Award Lecture: In honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg featuring Dannielle Engle, PhD, Salk Institute for Biological Studies
- Sharing the Journey: Fostering Growth Through Mentorship with Sommer Bazuro, PhD, FCB Health; Dannielle Engle, PhD, Salk Institute for Biological Studies; Elizabeth M. Jaffee, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine; Jen Jen Yeh, MD, UNC Medicine; Rosalie Sears, PhD, Oregon Health & Science University; Margaret Foti, PhD, MD, American Association for Cancer Research.
The Best of 2021: Research Highlights, December 14, 2021 –Watch Lustgarten Foundation leadership for a special year-end review of the progress we’ve made toward transforming pancreatic cancer into a curable disease—and get a sneak peek into exciting research plans for 2022. Presenters include: David Tuveson, MD, PhD, Director of the Lustgarten Foundation Dedicated Research Lab at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Cancer Center; Elizabeth Jaffee, MD, Director, Lustgarten Clinical Accelerator Initiative; Linda Tantawi, CEO, Lustgarten Foundation; Andrew Rakeman, PhD VP of Research, Lustgarten Foundation. Watch now.
From the Lab to You: Clinical Advances, September 22, 2021 – World-renowned pancreatic cancer researchers and clinicians, Dr. Tyler Jacks of MIT and Dr. Brian Wolpin of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, explain Lustgarten’s critical role in moving research from the lab to the clinic, advancing clinical trials and better therapies. The Foundation established the Clinical Accelerator Initiative (CAI) to shorten the time from clinical trial concept to launch using a Lustgarten-developed process based on the best available science. These “smarter” clinical trials examine cutting-edge biomarkers to observe key indicators of how the treatment is working and will generate large volumes of data scientists can use now and in the future. We are funding three new clinical studies through the CAI focusing on immunotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer. Watch now.
Personalized Medicine: Transforming Treatment Wednesday, June 30, 2021 – Drs. David Tuveson, and Dennis Plenker of the Lustgarten Foundation Dedicated Pancreatic Cancer Research Lab at CSHL, and Dr. Wasif Saif, of Northwell Health Cancer Institute, take you from the clinic to the lab to show you how personalized medicine may transform the future of pancreatic cancer treatment. Watch now.
Early Detection: The Path Forward Wednesday, April 21, 2021 – Drs. Bert Vogelstein and Elliot Fishman of the Lustgarten Foundation Dedicated Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory at Johns Hopkins discuss how a blood test and artificial intelligence may impact earlier detection of pancreatic cancer. Watch now.