To add to the training potential of Damon Runyon Fellowship Awards, the Foundation hosts annual Fellows' Retreats.  Here, current Damon Runyon Fellows have the opportunity to meet each other and share ideas.  All first- and third-year Fellows are required to attend.

Fellows present posters in their first year and oral presentations of their research in their third year.  Leading senior scientists from academia and industry also attend to share their experiences and give professional advice.

These meetings allow the brightest young scientists in the country to interact with their peers, network with accomplished senior scientists and initiate valuable interdisciplinary collaborations.

Recent Retreats

2009 Damon Runyon Fellows Retreat
October 4-8, 2009
The Lighthouse Inn
West Dennis, Massachusetts
Featured speakers: Joan S. Brugge, PhD, and Pardis C. Sabeti, MD, PhD

2008 Damon Runyon Fellows Retreat
October 5-8, 2008
The Marconi Conference Center
Marshall, California
Featured speakers: Dr. Mark Davis and Dr. Andy Dillin

2007 Damon Runyon Fellows Retreat
October 7-11, 2007
The Marconi Conference Center
Marshall, California
Featured speakers: Dr. Gerard Evan and Dr. Arshad Desai

2006 Damon Runyon Fellows Retreat
September 25-28, 2006
The Lighthouse Inn
West Dennis, Massachusetts
Featured speakers: Phillip A. Sharp, PhD, and Gregory J. Hannon, PhD

2005 Damon Runyon Scientific Retreat
September 26-29, 2005
The Lighthouse Inn
West Dennis, Massachusetts
Featured speakers: Xiaodong Wang, PhD, and Greg Verdine, PhD

2004 Damon Runyon Scientific Retreat
October 26-29, 2004
Asilomar Conference Center
Pacific Grove, California
Featured speaker: Phillipa Marrack, PhD

Here are some comments from past attendees on their experiences at the Damon Runyon Fellows’ Retreats

“This was a life-changing experience; I had never fully appreciated the range of research that is going on and the advances we’re experiencing in cancer research and biology. I’m definitely looking forward to the next retreat.” – Lu Gan, California Institute of Technology

“The contacts made and ideas exchanged were invaluable for continuing my research. It was also a lovely setting with fantastic amenities.” – John Biggins, University of Delaware

“I had a great time and cherish seeing the other Fellows again after two years – and seeing how well people are doing. It was a very stimulating retreat, intellectually and socially.” – Sandra Encalada, University of California, San Diego

“I had a great time, and did some networking too. Aside from meeting Phil Sharp, I got the inside scoop on some jobs at Rockefeller and MSKCC, both places where I would really like to go. It is amazing how useful these types of events are, and we are all very fortunate to have this opportunity.” – Alain Laederach, Stanford University

“It was great to see all the fantastic work the other Fellows have been doing and I found it both scientifically invigorating and motivating.” – David Hava, Harvard University