Wilmot Cancer Institute Scientific Symposium
Join us for the 31st annual Wilmot Cancer Institute Scientific Symposium on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the Class of ’62 Auditorium, University of Rochester Medical Center.
This annual event brings together investigators, clinicians, trainees, and staff to highlight advances in basic, translational, clinical, and community-engaged cancer research. The symposium provides a forum for scientific exchange, collaboration, and recognition of outstanding research across the Wilmot community. The full agenda and keynote speaker details will be announced soon.
Click here to register for the Symposium now!
Event Details
- Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026
- Location: Class of ’62 Auditorium, University of Rochester Medical Center
- Audience: Faculty, trainees, students, and staff engaged in cancer research
For questions, please contact: Nicole O’Dell
Keynote Speaker
To be announced.
The keynote speaker will be a nationally recognized leader in cancer research whose work reflects the mission of the Wilmot Cancer Institute. Additional details will be shared as they become available.
Abstract Submission & Poster Competition
Abstract submission will open in Summer 2026. The symposium will feature a competitive abstract selection process, with top-scoring submissions invited for oral presentations and additional abstracts presented during the poster session. Full submission guidelines, deadlines, and instructions will be posted when the submission portal opens.
Eligibility: Open to trainees, students, fellows, and faculty engaged in cancer-related research.
Awards: Outstanding abstracts will be recognized at the end of the symposium with prizes.
Agenda
The full symposium agenda, including session times and speakers, will be available closer to the event date.
About the Symposium
The Wilmot Cancer Institute Scientific Symposium is a cornerstone annual event that showcases the breadth and impact of cancer research across the University of Rochester. The symposium fosters collaboration across disciplines, supports trainee development, and highlights innovative approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
Past Symposiums
2025 Symposium Highlights
- Keynote Speaker: Ashani Weeraratna, PhD, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor, E.V. McCollum Professor, and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
- Davey Award Winner: Jonathan W. Friedberg, MD, MMSc, Samuel E. Durand Chair in Medicine - Department of Medicine (Hematology/ Oncology)
2024 Symposium Highlights
- Keynote Speaker: Jen Jen Yeh, MD, Professor of Surgery and Pharmacology at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill.
- Davey Award Winner: Scott Gerber, PhD, Tumor Immunologist and Associate Professor in the Departments of Surgery, Microbiology and Immunology, and Radiation Oncology
2023 Symposium Highlights
- Keynote Speaker: Norman "Ned" Sharpless, MD, former director of the National Cancer Institute and professor of medicine, cancer policy, and innovation at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in North Carolina
- Davey Award Winner: Karen Mustian, PhD, Associate Director for Population Science at Wilmot, leader of Wilmot’s Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program, and a Professor in the Department of Surgery
2022 Symposium Highlights
- Keynote Speaker: Jeffrey C. Rathmell, Ph.D., Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Immunobiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Davey Award Winner: Paula Vertino, Ph.D., Wilmot Distinguished Professor in Cancer Genomics
For more detailed information about past symposiums, including award recipients, please contact the CRTEC office.