Ivy Blog

Join us on 'Brain Tumor Talk' as we honor Glioblastoma Awareness Day with a heartfelt episode featuring a panel of inspiring individuals affected by glioblastoma. In this special episode, host Michelle engages in an open and honest dialogue with Carol, Amber, and Heather, who share their unique and deeply personal journeys through the challenges of glioblastoma.

Carol Stevens, who faced a glioblastoma recurrence just six months after standard treatment, found new hope in a clinical trial at the Ivy Brain Tumor Center. With a tailored approach that utilized an experimental drug specific to her tumor’s genetics, Carol experienced significant progress, underscoring the trial’s personalized and innovative strategy. Her story highlights the crucial role of clinical trials in providing options where standard treatments fall short. Read her full story!

Join us on "Brain Tumor Talk" as we sit down with Dr. Yoshie Umemura, Chief Medical Officer at the Ivy Brain Tumor Center, to dive into the complexities of brain tumor treatments. Dr. Umemura shares her expert insights on everything from the current standard of care and various chemotherapy protocols to the potential life-changing impact of clinical trials.

Discover the complexities of brain tumors in the debut episode of Brain Tumor Talk with Dr. Nader Sanai from the Ivy Brain Tumor Center at Barrow Neurological Institute. Explore types, symptoms, and cutting-edge treatments for one of the most challenging cancers. Essential listening for patients, caregivers, and healthcare enthusiasts.

In December 2019, Louise Hulme, a mother of two living in the United Kingdom, was diagnosed with glioblastoma. Like many of us, Louise spent a majority of the following year in lockdown due to COVID-19; however, what Louise did with her time was something very unique.

As a research technician, Jennifer Molloy plays a fundamental role in the Ivy Center's pharmacodynamic lab. With her background in biological sciences and experience as a research intern at the University of Arizona, Jen assists in the facilitation of collection and analysis of tissue for our Phase 0 clinical trials. Jen's passion for science and research makes her a invaluable asset for the Ivy Center team.

Artak Tovmasyan, PharmD, PhD, joined our team two years ago from Duke University with an extensive background in pharmaceutical chemistry making him a fierce asset to the Ivy Center's Phase 0 clinical trials program. As the director of the Ivy Center's Pharmacokinetics core, Dr. Tovmasyan is leading his laboratory in providing data to enable the most efficient treatment regimens for brain tumor patients.

As a neurosurgical resident, Charuta is paving the way for women in her field. At the age of seven, Charuta’s mother was diagnosed with a glioma. Since that moment, Charuta has committed her life to helping others who have been diagnosed with brain cancer.

As an Ivy Navigator, Lynnea is a Phase 0 patient's first point of contact when they begin the initial process of enrolling in a study. Patients are guided by her as she helps to explain next steps and ease their stress as they prepare to meet the rest of their treatment team. Learn more about Lynnea and how she landed at the Ivy Center.

Ivy Center Chief Operating Officer, Shwetal Mehta Ph.D., and Head for the Cure's executive director, Jenna Heilman teamed up on Instagram Live for the second episode in our #BrainTumorTalk series. Check out the replay here.