The Harper Cancer Research Institute (HCRI) recently welcomed Dr. Michael Kerin, Chair of Surgery at the University of Galway and Director of the Saolta-University of Galway Cancer Network to campus for three days of meetings, seminars, and fun. Dr. Kerin, along with Dr. Sharon Stack, Ann F. Dunne and Elizabeth Riley Director of Harper Cancer Research Institute, Kleiderer-Pezold Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, recently signed a memorandum of understanding to build interdisciplinary cancer research collaborations and strengthen links between both institutions via student and faculty exchange programs through the Biseach Initiative. Meetings with Biseach Initiative investigators to discuss ongoing collaborations and plan additional joint projects were a highlight of the visit.
Also on Kerin’s busy agenda were visits with Bernard Nahlen, Director of the Eck Institute for Global Health where he presented a seminar entitled “A Surgeon-Scientist’s Overview of the Recent Advances in the Management of the Global Cancer Burden”; Santiago Schnell, Dean, College of Science; and Michael Pippenger, Vice President and Associate Provost for Internationalization.
Dr. Kerin’s visit coincided with HCRI’s annual Industry Advisory Board (IAB) meeting. The IAB provides industry-specific expertise to HCRI’s researchers in an effort to help further the commercialization and translational potential of their research. IAB members also mentor Harper trainees with advice on career development and non-academic career pathways. Dr. Kerin joined IAB participants for several business sessions with HCRI investigators, providing a key clinical perspective on the projects; he also networked with graduate students and postdocs at an evening reception.
Dr. Kerin’s last day was devoted to fun, Irish style. Starting at Fiddler’s Hearth watching his beloved Irish rugby team battle New Zealand during the Rugby World Cup and ending on campus enjoying HCRI’s annual tailgate and an Irish victory over USC! Future meetings are planned in South Bend and Galway to further the goals of the Biseach Initiative.
ABOUT THE BISEACH INITIATIVE
The Biseach Initiative represents a strategic cancer research collaboration between the University of Notre Dame's Harper Cancer Research Institute (HCRI) and the University of Galway. Built on the principle that collaboration is the key to significant advances in cancer research, this venture fosters a long-term exchange of ideas and knowledge between faculty and students at both institutions. The word "Biseach" translates to "improvement, healing, recovery" in Irish, embodying the main goal of the initiative.