May 18
The Grand Cinema Tacoma, WA
TicketsSaumya Sankaran, Ph.D.
Assistant Teaching Professor, Biomedical Science Program, UW Tacoma
50/50— When Cells Go Rogue: The Biology Behind Cancer
Program Description
What is cancer, and how does it arise? Why does chemo make hair fall out? Before delving into Adam's journey in the movie 50/50, we will cover some basics of cancer biology so you can make sense of the name of his cancer, why he's getting the treatment he's getting, and how these relate to his symptoms and side effects.
Film Synopsis
Inspired by a true story, a comedy centered on a 27-year-old guy who learns of his cancer diagnosis and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease.
Adam Lerner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) has always tried to take good care of his health, so it comes as a cruel surprise when he learns that he has malignant tumors along his spine. His doctor gives him a 50/50 chance of survival, but Adam tries to remain upbeat, though his mother and his friend Kyle (Seth Rogen) react badly to the news. Adam starts seeing a therapist, but their relationship threatens to cross the boundary between doctor and patient.
Photo credit: Summit Entertainment
About the Speaker
Saumya Sankaran, Ph.D., is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the biomedical science program at UW Tacoma. She is a molecular biologist by training, and likes to think about biology in terms of how molecules interact with each other to make whole cascades of processes happen in and around cells. She has taught molecular and cell biology, genetics, and cancer biology in undergraduate and medical school curriculum. Outside teaching biology, she enjoys baking, dance fitness, and reading a variety of genres (including children's books with her preschooler).