After5Houston - What Makes Cancer So Complex

A Conversation On Why Cancer Is So Hard To Beat

Join cancer biologist Roshni Arun for a discussion on why cancer has earned its reputation as, in the words of author Siddhartha Mukherjee, "the emperor of all maladies." Together, we'll break down the biological hallmarks that make this disease so persistent and so hard to outsmart.

What We'll Cover:

• What is cancer? A look at how normal cells go wrong.
• The hallmarks of cancer: The shared characteristics that enable cancer to grow, spread, and resist treatment.
• The future of cancer therapy: Where is research headed?

Whether you're a science enthusiast or just curious about the disease that so many of us encounter, you'll leave with a better understanding of what cancer is and how we're working to beat it.

Don't miss this chance to connect with your After5Society.

About the Speaker:

Roshni Arun is a PhD student at the MD Anderson/UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, where she studies cancer biology. Originally from Rockville, Maryland, she earned her degree from UNC Chapel Hill, studying Neuroscience, Biology, and Data Science. Roshni is an avid advocate for science accessibility, having served as editor-in-chief of her undergraduate research journal, a fellow with the North Carolina Medical Journal, and previously a host of her own science podcast. As an early-career scientist, she aims to bridge science, innovation, and advocacy in the field of precision oncology.

Good to know before you come:

• Arrive early to grab a drink and get settled

• The speaker portion lasts 1 hour, with optional time to stay and socialize afterward

• This is a participatory event