Erika Adams Newman, M.D.
Edith Briskin Emerging Scholar
Assistant Professor of Pediatric Surgery
The Promise of Using Stem Cells to Reverse Fatal Childhood Cancer
After completing a fellowship in pediatric surgery at the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital, Erika Newman joined the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute in February 2010 as the Edith Briskin Emerging Scholar.
During her internship and residency at the University of Michigan, her laboratory work with cells of neuronal origin, as well as her interest in clinical oncology, led her to the study of neuroblastoma — the most common extracranial solid cancer in children.
“At least half of patients have aggressive, metastatic disease at presentation, and it is often impossible to predict which will have long-term survival,” she says. “Moreover, it remains difficult to identify which patients will fail intensive therapy, and it is often difficult to stratify treatment strategies.”
With this in mind, she is focusing her laboratory efforts on the study of the development and differentiation of neural crest stem cells. The characterization and identification of the developmental pathways may provide insight into the progression of neuroblastoma and allow a more targeted approach to effective treatment.
“I am looking forward to contributing to the field of pediatric oncology research with hopes of improving long-term survival in an often fatal disease of childhood,” she says.
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Taubman Emerging Scholars Program
Request for applications
Applications are being accepted for the Taubman Institute Emerging Scholars Program.
The applicant must be a junior member of the faculty at the University of Michigan; generally, that means holding an assistant professor title. The applicant must have either an M.D. or an M.D./Ph.D. It is required that candidates both conduct basic research and treat patients.
Applicants should submit a two-to-three page research proposal, as well as a current CV. Priority will be given to proposals involving translational research. Please submit material to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The deadline is May 7, 2012.
Young Friends host festive NYC fundraiser
Reception introduced scholar candidate Dr. Parag Patil
About 125 supporters of cutting-edge medical research mixed socializing and science May 9 at a cocktail party in Manhattan hosted by the Young Friends of the Taubman Institute's New York City chapter.
The event introduced Dr. Parag Patil, a University of Michigan physician-researcher and a prospective Young Friends Emerging Scholar. Here's a clip from Dr. Patil's appearance on the TV program "The Doctors," where he demonstrates how deep-brain stimulation has helped a patient with Parkinson's disease.
Emerging Scholars are early-career clinician-scientists who show great promise in research aimed at new cures or treatments; through the Taubman Institute, donors support them with three-year grants while their labs earn the credentials to win broader funding support.
The Young Friends event, which raised a significant contribution toward the Emerging Scholars program, was held at the ABC Carpet & Home showrooms at 888 Broadway, Attendees enjoyed cocktails, appetizers, a silent auction and a presentation by Dr. Patil. The silent auction included jewelry, fashion items, a Botox consultation and treatment, Morgan Hotel Group rooms and the opportunity to bid on a meeting and photo with former President William Jefferson Clinton.
Taubman Research
Dr. Max Wicha: Some treatments actually increase cancer stem cells
Avastin and Sutent have been found to increase the growth of breast cancer stem cells in mice, according to Taubman Scholar Dr. Max Wicha, director of the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center.
