News
Researchers building melanoma vaccine to combat skin cancer (Science Daily)
03/19/2012
Jeffrey E. Gershenwald, MD, FACS, is the Dr. John M. Skibber Professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology and a Professor in the Department of Cancer Biology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson). He is also the Medical Director of the Melanoma and Skin Center.
Dr. Gershenwald received his M.D. from Cornell University Medical College, and after completing his general surgery residency at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, he completed a fellowship in Surgical Oncology at MD Anderson before joining its faculty. In addition to his active surgical oncology practice focused on the care of patients with melanoma.
Dr. Gershenwald’s research focuses on enhancing melanoma care through integrated clinical-, pathological-, and molecular-based prognostic and predictive modeling in melanoma. He co-leads the inaugural MD Anderson Melanoma Moon Shot research program, an ambitious initiative that spans the melanoma continuum from public policy and prevention research initiatives to reduce ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure in youth to leveraging our understanding of the molecular and immune underpinnings of melanoma to improve treatment options for patients with melanoma.
Dr. Gershenwald is a member of the Executive Committee of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and its 8th edition Editorial Board, and Chair of its Melanoma Expert Panel.
Dr. Gershenwald co-led the melanoma project of The NIH-funded Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) program, an international team that performed the most comprehensive molecular analysis of melanoma to date. He has published more than 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals, more than 100 editorials, invited articles, book chapters, and other publications.
John Antonishak has served as the National Council’s Executive Director since 2008. The National Council is the nation’s unified membership-based organization with the mission of preventing skin cancer through education, advocacy and raising awareness.
Mr. Antonishak is also an international organizational and professional development consultant working with federal and state agencies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and businesses. He provides expertise in leadership and organizational development; systemic innovations and educational reform; executive coaching and effective facilitation.
Prior to becoming a consultant, Mr. Antonishak built an accomplished career with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Maryland. During his tenure, he succeeded as a classroom teacher, curriculum specialist, and district administrator for professional development and instructional technology.
As the director of professional development and instructional technology for MCPS, his responsibilities included providing leadership for the school system’s instructional technology and professional development programs to meet the needs of the 140,000 MCPS students and the 20,000 staff members. Under his leadership, his staff continuously designed and delivered innovative, creative, and effective professional development and practices with a focus on improving teaching and learning.
Mr. Antonishak received his undergraduate degree in secondary education from the University of Maryland and his master’s degree certification in professional development and educational technology from Johns Hopkins University.
He is a member and past officer of several professional associations. He is a United States Navy veteran and served his country during the Vietnam Era.
Becky Kamowitz is the Senior Director of Marketing Communications for The Skin Cancer Foundation.
A chance college internship sent Becky down a rewarding career path in nonprofit communications. She joined The Skin Cancer Foundation in 2010 before moving to DKMS, an international bone marrow donor center, where she was focused on donor education and retention programming. She rejoined the SCF team in 2016. As senior director of marketing communications, Becky is responsible for developing and executing marketing communications campaigns that empower people to take a proactive approach to daily sun protection and the early detection and treatment of skin cancer. Under her leadership, the Foundation rebranded and expanded its national screening and education program, Destination: Healthy Skin, developed a new PSA campaign, The Big See, launched a patient advocacy program, Robins Nest, and redesigned SkinCancer.org. Becky has been the Foundation’s liaison with the National Council for many years. She has served on the Don’t Fry Day committee and oversees the Foundation’s responsibilities as the Council’s fiscal agent.
Becky studied public relations and political science at Hofstra University. Originally from Hartford, Connecticut, Becky now lives with her family in Brooklyn, New York. She spends a ridiculous amount of time trying to keep her 9-month-old daughter from pulling off her sunhat and sunglasses.
Boris D. Lushniak, MD, MPH, leads the School of Public Health at the University of Maryland, the university’s youngest and most racially and ethnically diverse academic college. He has developed several new academic programs to meet workforce needs, launched a global health initiative and provided leadership in the context of the global coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Lushniak is creating ways for students to take action and engage civically through global experiences and activities focused on promoting social justice and equity and dismantling racism.
Before coming to UMD, he served as professor and chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics and Professor of Dermatology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, Maryland.
Dr. Lushniak was the U.S. Deputy Surgeon General from November 2010 to September 2015, assisting the Surgeon General in articulating the best available scientific information to the public to improve personal health and the health of the nation. He also oversaw the operations of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, comprised of approximately 6,700 uniformed health officers who serve in locations around the world to promote, protect, and advance the health and safety of our nation.
Dr. Lushniak served as Acting Surgeon General from July 2013 to December 2014 and was responsible for the release of the 50th Anniversary Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health and the first ever Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer. From January to March 2015, he served as commander of the USPHS Monrovia Medical Unit in Liberia, the only U.S. government hospital providing care to Ebola patients.
Dr. Lushniak began his USPHS career in 1988 in the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) and initially served with the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in Cincinnati, Ohio where he conducted epidemiological investigations of workplace hazards. In 1993, he completed a dermatology residency at the University of Cincinnati and established an occupational skin disease program at NIOSH. He also served on assignments in Bangladesh, St. Croix, Russia, and Kosovo, was part of the CDC/NIOSH team at Ground Zero and part of the CDC anthrax team in Washington, DC. In 2004, he transitioned from CDC to the FDA in the Office of Counterterrorism and was appointed FDA Assistant Commissioner for Counterterrorism Policy in 2005. He was deployed to Hurricane Katrina and also served as the FDA Deputy Incident Commander for the 2009 pandemic response. He was promoted to Rear Admiral, Lower Half in 2006 and attained the rank of Rear Admiral, Upper Half in 2010. He retired from the USPHS On October 1, 2015 after 27 years of service.
Dr. Lushniak was born in Chicago to post-World War II immigrants from Ukraine. He was admitted to the six-year Honors Program in Medical Education at Northwestern University and completed his B.S. degree in 1981 and M.D. in 1983. In 1984, he completed his MPH degree at Harvard University. He completed a residency in family medicine in 1987 (St Joseph Hospital, Chicago) and maintains certifications in dermatology and preventive medicine (occupational).
A firm believer in leadership by example, Dr. Lushniak also promotes the core messages of the National Prevention Strategy via his active lifestyle. He is an avid long-distance bicyclist, runner and hiker. He resides in Rockville, Maryland with his wife Dr. Patricia Cusumano and is a proud father of two daughters.
As warm weather approaches and millions of Americans prepare to enjoy the great outdoors, the risk for ultraviolet (UV) damage of the skin increases. Skin cancer is on the rise in the United States, and the American Cancer Society estimates that one American dies every hour from skin cancer. This year alone, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be more than 73,870 new cases of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, and more than two million new cases of basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers in the U.S.
Most skin cancers are caused by overexposure to UV radiation. Individuals with lighter-toned skin are more susceptible to UV damage, although people of all races and ethnicities can be at risk for skin cancer. Those who have a family history of skin cancer, plenty of moles or freckles, or a history of severe sunburns early in life are at a higher risk of skin cancer as well. To minimize the harmful effects of excessive and unprotected sun exposure, protection from intense UV radiation should be a life-long practice for everyone.
This category is open to Federal and state governmental agencies and organizations with special expertise and/or interest in skin cancer prevention and which endorse the National Council’s vision, mission, and goals. Advisory members and Federal Liaison members are not able to contribute financial support due to government regulations. Advisory members vote and serve as Co-Chairpersons and Committee Chairs.
This category is open to organizations outside of the U.S. with an expertise or interest in skin cancer prevention and who endorse the vision, mission, and goals of the National Council. International Members commit financial support in the amount of $150.00 U.S. dollars annually. These funds will be designated for the National Council operating expenses based on annual budgetary projection. International Members do not vote, nor can they serve as a Co-Chairperson or Committee Chairs.
This membership category is open to organizations with an interest in skin cancer prevention and who endorse the vision, mission and goals of the National Council. General members commit financial support in the amount of $150.00 annually. These funds will be designated for the National Council operating expenses based on annual budgetary projection. General members vote and can serve as a Co-Chairperson and Committee Chairs.
Core members are national nonprofit organizations with major ongoing efforts in skin cancer prevention. Core members commit financial support in the amount of at least $15,000 annually for a minimum of three years. These funds are designated for the National Council operating expenses based on annual budgetary projection. Core members manage expenditures of National Council funds. Representatives from core organizations participate in the Steering Committee with the National Council Co-Chairpersons and Executive Director to oversee implementation of the deliverables of Council initiatives and programs. Core members vote and serve as Co-Chairperson and Committee Chairs.