In addition to presenting the latest scientific data, the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium® is dedicated to developing and supporting the future of cancer research. Three sessions during the 2024 SABCS^® will aim to inform and inspire women and early-career investigators as they navigate obstacles and opportunities in the field.

Women’s Career Development

Navigating Success: Women’s Career Development will be held on Wednesday, December 11, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. CT in Room 221 ABC at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

Intended for women who have completed their training and are now in practice, the workshop will offer a platform for accomplished female scientists to share their experiences, provide mentorship, and discuss strategies to overcome gender-related challenges in the field of cancer research.

Through engaging talks, interactive presentations, and networking activities, participants will gain valuable insights and acquire practical tools to thrive and excel in their scientific research careers, according to clinical psychologist and executive coach Anne C. Welsh, PhD, ACC, who will serve as facilitator for the workshop.

“This workshop is focused on exploring the unique experiences and the unique barriers that women face as they progress and ascend in a scientific or health care-based career,” Dr. Welsh said. “Through a mixture of presentations and group activities, we will examine the reality of being a woman in STEM, how to cope with the challenges, how we can affect change, and how we can take care of ourselves and each other in the process.”

The workshop will feature a keynote address by Reshma Jagsi, MD, DPhil, of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, who will discuss evidence-based strategies to address systemic barriers facing women researchers.

“At the end of the workshop, we hope women will leave feeling informed and empowered to overcome any barriers they’re facing and, importantly, leave with more awareness of some of the tools, techniques, and resources they can use to help and support themselves as they continue to grow their careers,” Dr. Welsh said.

Early-career Development

Two sessions on Tuesday, December 10, will focus on important topics for residents, fellows, and other early-career researchers.

Career Development: Navigating the Road to Success – Early Funding for Research and Beyond, from 12 to 1:45 p.m. CT in Room 221 ABC, will highlight options for funding research projects. Expert panelists will discuss federal funding opportunities, support from foundations and community programs, and industry funding programs and interactions.

Career Development: Patient Driven Protocol Development, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. CT in Room 221 ABC, will examine practical steps and resources to help early-career scientists develop clinical research protocols. Speakers will offer guidance on partnerships in clinical research, designing patient-centric clinical trials, and novel statistical designs that put patients first.

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For the most up-to-date information about these sessions and others, including presenter details, check out the full program at SABCS.org.