NFCR Global Summit

and Award Ceremonies For Cancer Research & Entrepreneurship

Friday, October 24, 2025 | The National Press Club, Washington, DC

This event has now concluded! Save the Date for Next Year’s Event: Friday, October 9, 2026

CO-HOSTED BY:

The NFCR Global Summit is where the brightest minds from across the cancer research ecosystem unite to shape the future of the fight against cancer. This unique event is more than just a conference—it’s a dynamic think tank where groundbreaking ideas are sparked through organic, unscripted discussions. New partnerships form every year, collaborations are strengthened, and impactful action plans are created.

With a focus on cutting-edge topics like Precision Medicine, AI in cancer research, and advances in early detection, the 2025 summit promises to drive transformative breakthroughs in cancer treatment. Attendees don’t just listen—they lead, influencing the future of cancer research and potentially changing the course of the battle against cancer.

Inquiries regarding sponsorship of our Global Summit and Award Ceremonies for Cancer Research & Entrepreneurship event can be made to Executive Director, Brian Wachtel by e-mail at Bwachtel@nfcr.org or by phone at 1-800-321-CURE (2873). Learn more in our sponsorship packet.

8:30 AM – 8:40 AM:

Welcome Remarks:

Sujuan Ba, Ph.D. CEO of NFCR and Co-Founder of AIM-HI Accelerator Fund

Web Cavenee, Ph.D. Chair of the Scientific Advisor Board of NFCR and UCSD Distinguished Professor

9:10 AM – 10:10 AM:

Session I: AI in Cancer Research – from Discovery to Societal Impact

Moderator: Kornelia Polyak, M.D., Ph.D., Dana Farber

Panelists:

Alexander Anderson, Ph.D., Moffitt Cancer Center

Jeffrey Golden, M.D., Cedars Sinai Medical Center

Bruce Johnson, M.D., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dan Theodorescu, M.D., Ph.D., University of Arizona

10:10 AM – 10:30 AM:

Coffee Break

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM:

Session II: AI in Cancer Diagnosis and Management

Moderator: Jennifer Grandis, M.D., UCSF

Panelists:

Maximilian Diehn, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University

Ruijiang Li, Ph.D., Stanford University

Paul Macklin, Ph.D., Indiana University

Kun-Hsing Yu, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard University

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM:

Session III: AI in Early Detection and Prevention

Moderator: Nathan Lear, AstraZeneca

Panelists:

Ludmil Alexandrov, Ph.D., UCSD Bioengineering

Lisa Coussens, Ph.D., Oregon Health & Science University

Elana Fertig, Ph.D., University of Maryland School of Medicine

Sam Hanash, M.D., Ph.D., MD Anderson

12:30 PM:

Break and Lunch

Master of Ceremonies: Patty Obermaier, MBA

1:00 PM:

1:05 PM – 1:20 PM:

Welcoming Remarks  

Master of Ceremony: Patty Obermaier, MBA, Founder & CEO of Resigility

From Idea to IND: Legal Building Blocks for a Biotech Startup

Catherine Pan-Giordano, Partner & Corporate Group Head, New York Office, Dorsey & Whitney

1:20 PM – 1:30 PM:

AIM-HI Venture Competition Award Ceremony

Dr. Pamela Garzone, Chief Development Officer of Anixa Biosciences, & Dr. Dimitra Georganopoulou, General Partner of Qral Ventures, co-chairs of the Venture Competition Investment Committee, presenting the Award Certificates to the Winners

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM:

Emerging Oncology Companies Showcase:

Moderator: Ron DePinho, M.D., MD Anderson

Presentations:

Michelle Arkin, Ph.D., ResNovas Therapeutics

Kirsten Flowers, MBA, Chiara Biosciences    

Rick Fultz, Acurion

Chih-Kao Hu, Ph.D., Window Therapeutics

2:30 PM – 2:50 PM:

Coffee Break

2:50 PM – 3:50 PM:

Investors’ Perspectives for Early-Stage Oncology Companies

Moderator: Matt Tremblay, Ph.D., Blackbird

Panelists:

Mey Boukenna, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President, Pags Group

Cynthia Cai, Ph.D., MBA, Venture Partner, Viva BioInnovator; President, Tharton Consulting

Dimitra Georganopoulou, Ph.D., General Partner of Qral Ventures

Jimmy Lu, MBA, J.D., Co-Founder & Managing Director, Eos Bioinnovation

3:50 PM – 4:00 PM:

Closing Remarks – Matt Tremblay, Ph.D.

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM:

Intermission Break

Honoring Tony Hunter, Ph.D. (Black-tie Optional)

6:00 PM – 6:55PM:

7:00 PM – 7:30 PM:

7:30 PM – 8:55 PM:

Cocktail Reception

Emcee: Kristen Berset-Harris

Opening Remarks by Sujuan Ba, Ph.D., CEO of NFCR, Co-Founder of AIM-HI & Founder of AFCR, Co-Chair of 2025 Szent-Györgyi Prize Selection Committee

Introduction of 2025 Szent-Györgyi Prize Winner: Dennis J. Slamon, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Director of Clinical and Translational Research, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Award Presentation of the 2025 Szent-Györgyi Prize Winner: Tony Hunter, Ph.D. American Cancer Society Professor, Salk Institute for Biological Studies

Panel Discussion Live from Press Club:

Anna D. Barker, Ph.D., Chief Strategy Officer, Ellison Medical Institute

Thomas Clark, Cancer Patient Caregiver & Cancer Research Supporter

Alison Dziarmaga, Ph.D., Vice President, US Franchise Head, Breast Cancer, AstraZeneca

Jennifer Grandis, M.D., Professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco

Tony Hunter, Ph.D., American Cancer Society Professor, Salk Institute for Biological Studies

8:45 PM:

Closing Remarks – Kristen Berset-Harris