Susan Rosenblatt Lectureship: upcoming speakers,
previous speakers, and recordings
2025 Speaker
Speaker: David Sidransky, MD, FAACR
Professor of Oncology at Johns Hopkins University
Monday, October 27, 2025
Presentation title: Presentation title: Translating Cancer Research into
Clinical Advances: Did we find the smoking gun?
David Sidransky, MD, FAACR, is a Professor of Oncology at Johns Hopkins University.
Dr. Sidransky is recognized for his pioneering research in cancer genomics and molecular epidemiology. With over 600 publications and numerous awards, Dr. Sidransky’s work has significantly advanced the understanding of cancer, particularly smoking-related tumors. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms that drive these cancers and the role of genetic mutations in their development.
Dr. Sidransky is also a leader in the field of translational oncology, working to bridge
the gap between laboratory findings and clinical applications to develop novel
diagnostic approaches and targeted therapies that improve patient outcomes
His contributions to translational cancer research and molecular epidemiology have enhanced the understanding of cancer risk factors, including environmental influences, and have paved the way for novel methods in early cancer detection and personalized cancer treatments.
Microsoft Teams Link
Meeting ID: 211 636 127 575 9
Passcode: jp22p3Cb
2024 Speaker
Monday, October 28, 2024
Speaker: Brian King, PhD
Dr. Brian King, is the Director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP)
Topic: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Tobacco Product Regulation: Promise and Peril in an Increasingly Complex Landscape
Dr. Brian King was appointed Director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) in July 2022. In this position, Dr. King is responsible for assuring that CTP accomplishes its public health goals and for operationalizing the Center’s vision and mission as it implements the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Dr. King got his start doing research on secondhand smoke while working at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. His work focused on taking the policies that were happening in public places like bars and restaurants and thinking about exposures in those who lived in shared multiunit housing environments. Dr. King’s research helped pave the way for the US HUD to implement a 100% smokefree building policy for their buildings nationwide. Prior to joining FDA, he served as the Deputy Director for Research Translation in CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, and more recently as the Executive Editor of CDC’s Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report Series. He has authored more than 200 scientific journal articles related to tobacco prevention and control, served as Senior Associate Editor for multiple U.S. Surgeon General’s Reports on tobacco, and was lead author of CDC’s 2014 evidence-based guide, “Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs.” Dr. King holds a Ph.D. and M.P.H. in Epidemiology from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
David Sidransky, MD, FAACR is a Professor of Oncology at Johns Hopkins University.
Dr. Sidransky is recognized for his pioneering research in cancer genomics and molecular epidemiology. With over 600 publications and numerous awards, Dr. Sidransky’s work has significantly advanced the understanding of cancer, particularly smoking-related tumors. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms that drive these cancers and the role of genetic mutations in their development.
Dr. Sidransky is also a leader in the field of translational oncology, working to bridge
the gap between laboratory findings and clinical applications to develop novel
diagnostic approaches and targeted therapies that improve patient outcomes.
His contributions to translational cancer research and molecular epidemiology have enhanced the understanding of cancer risk factors, including environmental influences, and have paved the way for novel methods in early cancer detection and personalized cancer treatments
Microsoft Teams link
Meeting ID: 211 636 127 575 9
Passcode: jp22p3Cb
Dr. Brian King’s Lectureship recording
2023 Speaker
Speaker: David Burns, MD
Emeritus Professor, Family Medicine and Public Health
University of California, San Diego
Topic: Tracking nicotine and disease: Great progress, but have we lost our way?
David Burns, MD is Professor Emeritus at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. He is well known for his work serving as Scientific/Editor or Reviewer of Reports of the Surgeon General on Smoking and Health, published between 1975 and 2020. In the 1990s, Dr. Burns was a key expert witness in litigation against cigarette makers in two class-action cases brought by Stanley and Susan Rosenblatt, making Dr. Burns is a fitting choice as keynote speaker for the 2nd Annual Lectureship to honor the contributions of Susan Rosenblatt to the field of cancer prevention and control.
David Burns, MD Lectureship Recording
2022 Speaker
Jonathan Samet, M.D., MS
Dean and Professor, Colorado School of Public Health
Topic: The Global Tobacco Pandemic: How did we bend the curve?
Dr. Jonathan Samet has been an editor of several U.S. Surgeon General’s reports on smoking and health. He is a FAMRI Distinguished Professor and serves as Dean of the Colorado School of Public Health. Dr. Samet is a fitting choice to give the inaugural lectureship to honor the contributions of Susan Rosenblatt to the field of cancer prevention and control. Dr. Samet is a pulmonary physician and one of the world’s leading experts on the adverse health impact of air pollutants. Dr. Samet served as an expert witness in both cases filed by the Rosenblatts and will discuss how Susan and Stanley Rosenblatt helped accelerate the decline of cigarette consumption both domestically and globally and ultimately diminished the power of the cigarette industry.