August 2016

Over the past 12 months, we’ve grown accustomed to seeing Zika in the news. The virus has been linked to thousands of cases of microcephaly in Brazilian babies. Numerous countries, including the United States, have reported Zika-related deaths. And there is no vaccine available at this time. In the face of what has become a global health crisis, the Vaccine Research Center (VRC) at the NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) responded to a call from Anthony Fauci, Ph.D., head, NIAID, to get a candidate vaccine into human trials by the summer of 2016.

Earlier this summer, NCI at Frederick lost a friend and colleague, Charles Shive, to cancer. Mr. Shive, better known to most as Charlie, was a systems architect and information technology manager for the Data Science and Information Technology Program, focused on the re-engineering initiative of the Clinical Trials Reporting System.

On any given day, you can find a variety of bargains on items forgotten by some but coveted by others at the Thrift Shop at Fort Detrick. For instance, near the back of the modest shop is a complete hand-painted set of bowls, plates, and mugs, along with lightly worn military and civilian clothing. Closer to the front are diverse and engaging antique books; jade, glass, and clay vases; two maple violins; and an assortment of Bud Light beer signs. It’s all kept in a nondescript, straw-colored house on Porter Street near Veterans Gate. Inside, you’ll find a shop filled with fragrances and shelves redolent of history and the past.

For the third year in a row, NCI at Frederick is participating in the Feds Feed Families campaign, which aims to stock food banks during the summer when donations are often limited. The 2016 campaign runs through August 31. This year, the Office of Scientific Operations (OSO) has decided to send the campaign off with a twist. Rich Folkers, public affairs specialist, Office of Scientific Operations, came up with the idea for a "lock-in" event. 

The annual Take Your Child to Work Day event included a Poster Puzzler challenge, and this year’s winner is Caden Dunham, son of Kim Dunham, Laboratory of Cell-Mediated Immunity.

Young children often enjoy playing with dogs or cuddling with cats at home, but at Take Your Child to Work Day, kids of all ages had the opportunity to brush horses, pet alpacas, and observe laboratory mice, fish, and frogs.

On June 29, the annual event provided 187 children of NCI at Frederick staff a variety of hands-on learning opportunities.

Platinum Publications are selected from articles by NCI at Frederick scientists published in 42 prestigious science journals. This list represents articles published during the time period shown above, as generated from PubMed.

Articles designated as Platinum Highlights are noteworthy articles selected by Dr. Craig Reynolds, associate director, National Cancer Institute, from among the most recently published Platinum Publications.