Session Abstract – PMWC 2018 Silicon Valley
Session Synopsis: This session will cover applications of NGS-based liquid biopsy testing that are either currently available clinically or that are being actively explored in research studies.
Session Chair Profile
M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine
Biography
Maximilian Diehn MD, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at Stanford University. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard College and his M.D./Ph.D. in Biophysics from Stanford University. He is a board certified Radiation Oncologist and specializes in the treatment of lung cancers. Dr. Diehn’s current research program spans laboratory, translational, and clinical studies. His areas of interest include cancer genomics, stem cell biology, and lung cancer biology. His work has been recognized with a variety of awards, including the V Foundation Scholar Award, the Sidney Kimmel Scholar Award, the Doris Duke Clinical Scientist Development Award, and the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award. His group has developed an ultrasensitive and specific method for detection of circulating tumor DNA called CAPP-Seq. Current work is focused on applying CAPP-Seq to a range of clinical contexts, with an emphasis on tumor heterogeneity and minimal residual disease.
Speaker Profile
Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer, Roche Sequencing Solutions, Inc.
Biography
Dr. Palma is currently the Chief Medical Officer at Roche Sequencing. In his current role, he manages Clinical Science and Medical Affairs functions within disease areas and technologies. Prior to joining the Sequencing unit, John was the Medical Affairs Lead for Oncology at Roche Molecular where he supported companion diagnostic development of cobas ® assays. At Johnson & Johnson, he managed the discovery and early development teams for the identification of diagnostic biomarkers in oncology and diabetes. John earned his Ph.D. from the State University of New York in Brooklyn with a focus in the molecular biology. Over more than 20 years, he has published peer-reviewed manuscripts in diagnostics, drug target discovery and obtained patents in oncology, diabetes and molecular diagnostics.
Speaker Profile
M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine (Oncology), Stanford
Biography
The major focus of Dr. Alizadeh’s research group is to attain a better understanding of the initiation, maintenance, and progression of lymphoid tumors, and their response to existing and novel therapies toward improving current treatment strategies. In this effort, they employ tools from functional genomics, computational biology, molecular genetics, and mouse models. They hope to apply this knowledge towards the design of clinical trials in the treatment of patients with lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma.
