Coffey-Holden Prostate Cancer Academy Tackles Prostate Cancer’s Toughest Challenges
Every cancer breakthrough starts with a bold new approach. But it doesn’t happen in a vacuum–scientists need insightful input and collaboration to turn their ideas into reality.
That’s why every summer, PCF holds the Coffey-Holden Prostate Cancer Academy, an invitation-only “think tank” where about 75 top scientists share their prostate cancer research and brainstorm new solutions to critical problems facing patients today.
“The goal is cross-pollination–stimulating fresh questions and harnessing diverse fields of knowledge to support new research directions,” said Dr. Andrea Miyahira of PCF, who helps lead the meeting.
Unlike typical scientific conferences with lengthy presentations and little time for questions, Coffey-Holden scientists have just 10 minutes to present their work, followed by a full 20 minutes of questions, the first of which is always asked by a researcher from a different field.
This unique format works: “After a presentation, you see people lining up at the microphone, and the discussion often runs on into the breaks,” Dr. Miyahira said.
Named for renowned prostate cancer researchers and mentors Dr. Donald Coffey and Dr. Stuart Holden, this year’s Academy, held June 19-22, explored new ways to kill or inactivate prostate cancer cells and overcome treatment resistance to help patients live longer.
Attendees are an equal mix of early-career and established scientists. “This meeting has helped me develop new questions and approaches for our prostate cancer research, and learn about novel methods like artificial intelligence,” said Dr. Jelani Zarif, an oncology professor at Johns Hopkins who previously won a highly competitive PCF Young Investigator Award for his research on treatment resistance.
Inspired? Make a gift to PCF today. Supporting next year’s Coffey-Holden Prostate Cancer Academy will help the world’s best minds accelerate discoveries and bring hope to millions affected by this disease worldwide.
