Scientist in Residence 2018/19 - Professor Sean Morrison

The Scientist in Residence is a guest professorship annually awarded by the University of Duisburg-Essen and funded by Sparkasse Essen.

It enables the University to invite leading international experts for an intensive dialogue with senior as well as junior researchers. Interested members of the public are invited to a lecture, in which the Scientist in Residence gives fascinating insights into his field of research.

Winter term 2018/19 Scientist in Residence

The Scientist in Residence for the winter term of 2018/19 has been nominated by the Rectorate and the University Hospital Essen. The position has been held by Sean J. Morrison. He is a Professor of Pediatrics at UT Southwestern, Dallas, known for his significant discoveries in stem cell biology and cancer.

The cancer stem cell concept has significantly broadened our understanding of tumor biology. This concept should be regarded as an integral part of a holistic cancer model that also includes the genetic evolution of tumor cells and the variability of cell phenotypes within a dynamic tumor environment. Not only the phenotypic heterogeneity and plasticity of the tumor cells but also the dynamic interaction within the microenvironment composed of different cell types and its interaction with tumor cells has profound consequences on the biological behavior of the tumor disease as well as its responsiveness to treatment. Finally, this is of particular importance in regard to overcoming treatment resistance by a better understanding of the underlying biology.

Scientist in Residence 2018/19Prof. Sean Morrison

Sean J. Morrison is the director of the Children’s Medical Center Research Institute (CRI) at UT Southwestern, the Mary McDermott Cook Chair in Pediatric Genetics, the Kathryne and Gene Bishop Distinguished Chair in Pediatric Research, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator.

Dr. Morrison obtained his B.Sc. in biology and chemistry from Dalhousie University (1991), then completed a Ph.D. in immunology at Stanford University (1996), and a postdoctoral fellowship in neurobiology at Caltech (1999). From 1999 to 2011, Dr. Morrison was a Professor at the University of Michigan where he directed their Center for Stem Cell Biology.

Dr. Morrison was a Searle Scholar (2000-2003), was named to Technology Review Magazine’s list of 100 young innovators (2002), received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (2003), the International Society for Hematology and Stem Cell’s McCulloch and Till Award (2007), the American Association of Anatomists Harland Mossman Award (2008), and a MERIT Award from the National Institute on Aging. Dr. Morrison has also been active in public policy issues surrounding stem cells. He has twice testified before Congress and was a leader in the successful “Proposal 2” campaign to protect stem cell research in Michigan’s state constitution.

Public Lecture, January 29, 2019, 18:00 - GlaspavillonStem cells, cancer and metabolism

Welcome Address
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Radtke,
Rector of the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Laudation and Introduction
Prof. Dr. Dirk Schadendorf,
Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen

Presentation of the Scientist in Residence certificate
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Radtke,
Rector of the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany

Prof. Dr. Dirk Schadendorf,
Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen

Lecture: Stem cells, cancer and metabolism
Prof. Dr. Sean Morrison,
Children’s Medical Center Research Institute (CRI) at UT Southwestern, USA

Discussion

Moderation:
Prof. Dr. Schadendorf,
Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen

Reception 19:30

Public Lecture, January 29, 2019Photos Scientist in Residence 2018/19

Scientist in Residence 2018/19 - Public Lecture

Public Lecture January 29, 2019, 18:00 s.t. Stem cells, cancer and metabolism

Prof. Dr. Sean Morrison

Children's Medical Center Research Institute (CRI) at UT Southwestern, USA

Glaspavillon
Universitätsstraße 12
45141 Essen

Reception 19:30

DKTK-WTZ - Symposium January 28, 2019 Plasticity & Cancer

Universitätsklinikum Essen

Medizinisches Forschungszentrum
Hufelandstraße 55
45147 Essen

Please contact Prof. A. Rösch for program details.

Material

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Die Universität bedankt sich bei der Sparkasse Essen für die langjährige Förderung der Gastprofessur.