UPMC Hillman Cancer Center | March 15, 2025
The 2025 UPMC Living With Melanoma Symposium: From Research to Patient Care
Presented by AIM at Melanoma and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, this virtual and in-person symposium brings together leading experts to discuss the latest in melanoma research, treatment, and patient care.
As an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is at the forefront of cancer care, education, and cutting-edge research.
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM (ET)| 7:00 AM (CT) | 6:00 AM (MT) | 5:00 AM (PT)
Format: Presented both virtually and in-person
Location: UPMC Cancer Pavilion, 2nd Floor, Herberman Conference Center
Presenters & Topics
8:00 AM ET
In-Person Registration
8:30 AM ET
Welcome
John M. Kirkwood, MD
Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine
Usher Professor of Medicine, Dermatology and Translational Science
Co-Leader, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
8:40 AM ET
Clinical Trials: What are They, How are They Run, and How Does My Doctor Decide on the Right One?
Yana G. Najjar, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Director, Clinical and Translational Research Center
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
9:00 AM ET
A Patient Approach to TIL Therapy
Melissa Wilson, PA-C, MPAS
Physician Assistant, Senior
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
9:20 AM ET
New TIL Therapy Trial Options: PD1 Knockout TIL Therapy
Darcy Ploucha, PA-C, MPAS
Physician Assistant, Expert
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
9:40 AM ET
Tissue Banking: Samples are Only Part of the Issue. What About the Data?
Mary Horak, MS, CCRP
Clinical Research Services
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
10:00 AM ET
Break (10 minutes)
10:10 AM ET
Atypical and Dysplastic Nevi Clinical Trials
Urvashi Mitbander Joshi, MD
Hematology/Oncology Fellow, PGY-6
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
10:30 AM ET
Dietary Interventions in Cancer Patients
Khvaramze Shaverdashvili, MD, PhD
Clinical and Translational Research Fellow (TL1)
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
10:50 AM ET
Eat This Not That: The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Mediating Response and irAEs in Melanoma Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Blockade
Diwakar Davar, MD
Clinical Director, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program
Associate Professor of Medicine
UPMC Hillman Cancer
11:10 AM ET
Holy MOLEy – Kids Get Melanoma Too?!
Brittani Seynnaeve, MD, MS
Associate Fellowship Program Director
Pediatric Melanoma Program Director
Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
11:30 AM ET
Closing Remarks
Ann Garst Taylor
Director of Community Engagement
AIM at Melanoma
REGISTRATION