Princeton University Bulletin, Nov. 9, 2009

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY BULLETINVolume 99, Number 5 November 9, 2009 Princeton partnership to explore evolution of cancer H ILARY PARKER of pathology at the University of California-San Francisco. “It’s why rinceton physical scientists will we can’t deal with metastasis or drug partner with researchers at four resistance; it’s the thing that kills Pother institutions to explore the people. We’re addressing these impor- driving forces behind the evolution of tant questions — how does evolution cancer under a five-year, $15.2 mil- lead to metastasis and resistance, and lion award from the National Cancer how can we use evolution to skew the Institute. outcome in a different way?” The Princeton Physical Sciences- Research in the center hinges on the Oncology Center was launched Oct. 26 use of microfabrication techniques to as one of 12 centers in the institute’s create complex habitats that provide an new network of Physical Sciences- unprecedented ability to manipulate Oncology Centers. Collaborating with many variables at once and observe Princeton will be: the University of how cells respond, allowing the team California-San Francisco; the Johns to determine how different conditions Hopkins Hospital; the University of promote or inhibit rapid cancer evolu- California-Santa Cruz; and the Salk tion and tumor formation. Institute for Biological Studies in La The results they obtain will inform Jolla, Calif. the development of sophisticated The center’s goal is to understand Denise Applewhite computer models that simulate tumor the explosive evolution of cancer growth and predict how and when Guillaume Lambert (left), a physics graduate student at Princeton, and Robert Austin, under stress at a deep theoretical and certain tumors might invade surround- principal investigator of the new Princeton Physical Sciences-Oncology Center and physics experimental level by leveraging the ing tissue. Data obtained from these professor, observe prostate cancer cells growing on a microhabitat in Jadwin Hall. strengths of an interdisciplinary team simulations will, in turn, suggest new of physicists, engineers, chemists, questions to ask and explore. biochemists and oncologists. Using living longer than they used to live, cancerous cell in the body, those that “One ambitious goal is the creation a physics-based approach, the team but in the end, the cancer wins most survive the stress of chemotherapy of an ‘in silico’ growing tumor, mean- intends to better grasp the rules or of the time. Our current ‘shock and and radiation often have undergone ing a realistic model on the computer, laws that govern how cancer evolves, awe’ approach to treatment may not be mutations that render them resistant to which could suggest new experi- which may one day inform entirely the best thing to do — we’re leaving traditional treatments, capable of rapid ments, test new hypotheses, predict new treatment approaches. behind small populations of highly reproduction and therefore exceedingly behavior in experimentally unobserv- “The mortality rates for many resistant cells.” dangerous. able situations, and be employed for cancers are flat to rising,” said Robert This course may, in turn, contrib- “The evolution of cancer is the early detection,” said team member Austin, the center’s principal inves- ute to the development of intractable Achilles’ heel of cancer treatment,” Salvatore Torquato, a professor in tigator and a Princeton professor cancer recurrences. Because it is said Thea Tlsty, the center’s co- of physics. “It’s true that people are nearly impossible to kill every single principal investigator and professor Continued on page 7 Giving voice to the voiceless Chen depicts life in poverty in early 20th-century China JENNIFER GREENSTEIN ALTMANN government officials about said Chen has “brought a new per- life-threatening condi- spective and new evidence to bear on hen assistant professor Janet tions, even accusations of the social history of China during a Chen decided to write her dis- murder. They were writ- period of tremendous upheaval. She Wsertation on the experience of ten by hired scribes and uncovered sources that others had not poverty in early 20th-century China, literate Chinese people used before, and she used them in a fellow scholars warned her of the dif- who wound up homeless way that succeeded in giving voice to ficulties she would face. or impoverished in the otherwise voiceless people.” “Everyone said, ‘Poor people in chaotic atmosphere in China were illiterate,’” said Chen, China during the first half Loving the footnotes who was then in graduate school of the 20th century. The quest for primary-source at Yale University. “We don’t have The first letter she documents such as the letter with the historical records from them. You’re found, in the Shanghai thumbprints is what drove Chen, who going to have to study poverty from Municipal Archives, was has taught at Princeton since 2006, to the top down — from the govern- from a group of 30 people the field of history. ment’s perspective, the sociologists’ living in a Shanghai “I knew I wanted to be a historian perspective.” shantytown in 1947. They when I realized that I really like to read But Chen didn’t want to study only implored the government the footnotes,” she said. “I think foot- what bureaucrats had to say about to abandon a plan to tear notes are just as interesting as the text.” life in workhouses and shantytowns. down their straw huts. Chen, who has a joint appointment She wanted to know what the experi- The end of the letter had in history and East Asian studies, ence was like for those who lived it. a list of names, and beside resisted her parents’ efforts to get her She decided to travel to China and each one was a thumbprint to speak Chinese as a child. Born in see what she could find — tenaciously in red ink. Taiwan, Chen moved to California uncovering records and voices that “They were illiterate, with her family — she has five siblings reveal painful lost chapters in China’s but they had found one — when she was 6. social history. person to write this letter, “My dad would always holler at Searching through national and and they all testified with us kids to speak in Chinese, and we local archives in Beijing and Shanghai, their thumbs,” Chen said. Brian Wilson would all go silent,” she recalled. “It Chen discovered a trove of docu- David Howell, the Assistant Professor Janet Chen has uncovered records was the best way to get some peace ments — petitions to be set free from chair of the Department of poverty-stricken Chinese citizens that reveal painful workhouses, letters of complaint to of East Asian Studies, chapters in the country’s social history. Continued on page 8 What’s United Way campaign kicks off Nov. 11 2 Perspective on: Lecture to honor Kyoto Prize winners 3 Freud and Mexico, via Vienna 8 inside? Courses empower budding entrepreneurs 6 PRINCETON 2 UNIVERSITY BULLETIN November 9, 2009 Annual United Way campaign kicks off Nov. 11 Spotlight his fall, Princeton once again financially stable and independent; tions specialist in human resources, is will support the United Way of and improving health for seniors and the campaign coordinator. T Greater Mercer County’s annual people with disabilities. United Way “Each year the success of this cam- fundraising campaign. The Uni- programs are designed to create last- paign amazes me,” said Bartley. “The versity’s drive will take place from ing change by preventing problems dedication, generosity and warm spirit Wednesday, Nov. 11, through Wednes- from happening in the first place. of our employees, retirees and depart- day, Dec. 2. All donations will be distributed mental volunteers are a testament to the Last year, faculty, staff and retirees to United Way programs in Mercer spirit of Princeton. The funds donated contributed $221,195.72. These funds County or employees’ home commu- by the University’s community will helped the United Way to provide nities, or to other health and human continue to provide much-needed aid to relief to people in the local community. services agencies that are designated individuals and families in our area.” The theme for the 2009 United by individual donors. This year’s “In these hard economic times Way Campaign is “Live United.” This campus campaign is co-chaired by the United Way campaign is more year, United Way funding is based on David Dobkin, dean of the faculty, and important than ever, and the Prince- three focus areas: helping children and Lianne Sullivan-Crowley, vice presi- ton community plays a critical role,” youth achieve their potential through dent for human resources. Zia Bartley, added Sullivan-Crowley. “The gener- education; helping families become events management and communica- osity of Princeton’s staff and faculty demonstrates the strong ties we have to helping our local communities and exemplifies our commitment to service By the numbers during a time of need.” The University will contribute 15 Denise Applewhite cents per dollar for gifts made by Whig Hall — the home of the nation’s Accessible bathroom facilities were payroll deduction. For other types of Name: Margot Putukian. oldest collegiate political and debating installed, as were new card-access sys- donations, the University will contrib- society, the American Whig- tems, fire alarm systems and sprinklers. Position: Director of athletic medi- ute 10 cents per dollar. Cliosophic Society — recently under- Repairs also were done to the roof and cine for University Health Services. Donors can choose to make general went a major overhaul to modernize the exterior. Implementing this work Overseeing medical care for varsity or specific contributions. They can des- the building, which had not been proved challenging due to the solid student-athletes through Athletic ignate their donation to be distributed renovated in nearly 40 years.

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