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The National Foundation for Cancer Research held its 2025 Global Summit and Award Ceremonies for Cancer Research & Entrepreneurship on October 24 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., convening an extraordinary community of leading scientists, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and supporters united by one purpose: to conquer cancer together.

We celebrated innovation and collaboration.  We honored one of the true giants in biomedical science whose seminar discoveries led to more than 80 drugs for patients.

From exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming cancer discovery to spotlighting the next generation of oncology startups, and dialogues on the importance of patient-centric cancer research and care.  The Summit captured NFCR’s enduring mission: to connect people, science, and innovation in the pursuit of cures.

It is truly a day of forward-looking discussions and groundbreaking ideas.

This Recap is Part Three of a three-part series, focusing on the Szent-Györgyi Prize Award Ceremony—don’t miss out on any of the updates, part one and two are linked below!

Honoring Dr. Tony Hunter

The NFCR Global Summit concluded with an evening celebration honoring Tony Hunter, Ph.D., American Cancer Society Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, as the recipient of the 2025 Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research.

Dr. Hunter’s landmark 1979 discovery of tyrosine phosphorylation revealed a fundamental mechanism of cell signaling and laid the foundation for targeted cancer therapies — a breakthrough that has since led to more than 50 FDA-approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

“Dr. Hunter’s curiosity and perseverance changed the course of modern oncology,” said Dennis J. Slamon, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the 2025 Szent-Györgyi Prize Selection Committee. “His discovery didn’t just transform cancer research—it gave us the blueprint for an entire generation of lifesaving therapies.”

Ronald DePinho, M.D., former President of MD Anderson Cancer Center, reflected on NFCR’s leadership role in convening these crucial dialogues. “NFCR helps us focus where focus is needed most,” he said. “They convene the discussions we must be having, guiding the discoverers who are exploring uncharted ground. NFCR is the navigator.”

SEE ALSO: 5 Things to Know About Dr. Tony Hunter >>>

Live from the Press Club: Voices of Discovery, Resilience, and Hope

The evening concluded with a special panel discussion, “Live from the Press Club,” moderated by Kristen Berset-Harris, cancer survivor, television journalist, and long-time advocate for cancer research. The session brought together a unique mix of voices from across the cancer ecosystem — researchers, caregivers, and patients — each sharing their perspective on progress, purpose, and what comes next in the fight against cancer.

Panelists included Anna D. Barker, Ph.D., Chief Strategy Officer at the Ellison Institute of Technology; Thomas Clark, cancer caregiver and passionate supporter of cancer research; Alison Dziarmaga, Ph.D., Vice President, US Franchise Head, Breast Cancer, AstraZeneca; Jennifer R. Grandis, M.D., Professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco; and Tony Hunter, Ph.D., recipient of the 2025 Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research.

Their conversation reflected on the day’s central themes — collaboration, innovation, and the human side of discovery. Dr. Barker emphasized that breakthroughs in technology and science must always remain focused on the patient: “We can’t lose sight of why we’re here,” she said. “AI and new therapies are tools — but people are the reason.”

Thomas Clark offered a deeply personal perspective, describing his journey as a caregiver and the emotional weight families carry through diagnosis and treatment. “Every patient’s story is different,” he shared, “but what connects us all is hope — and the knowledge that research is moving faster than ever before.”

Dr. Dziarmaga and Dr. Grandis discussed how partnerships between academia, startups, and nonprofits are changing the landscape of cancer care, while Dr. Hunter reflected on his own scientific journey — reminding the audience that discovery often begins with curiosity and courage.

As the discussion came to a close, Kristen Berset-Harris thanked the panelists and audience for their engagement, noting that events like the Global Summit “remind us that progress isn’t just measured in data and discoveries — it’s measured in lives touched and futures made possible.”

The “Live from the Press Club” panel served as an inspiring finale to a day defined by forward-looking science and heartfelt humanity — a fitting end to the 2025 NFCR Global Summit and Award Ceremonies.

As Dr. Sujuan Ba, President and CEO of NFCR, closed the evening, she reminded attendees that the Summit represents more than an annual event — it’s a reflection of NFCR’s core mission: to connect discovery with delivery, and innovation with impact.

SEE ALSO: Meet the 2025 Global Summit Evening Panel >>>

Looking Ahead

The 2025 NFCR Global Summit showcased what happens when the world’s brightest minds —  Leading-edge ideas were shared openly and partnerships formed organically.

From artificial intelligence and precision oncology to entrepreneurship and scientific legacy, the day’s discussions captured the evolving landscape of cancer research — and NFCR’s pivotal role in shaping its future.

Across all sessions, a unifying theme emerged: AI enhances, rather than replaces, the human dimension of cancer care. The doctor–patient relationship, empathy, and contextual judgment remain irreplaceable. Speakers echoed that while AI recognizes massive patterns, it still struggles with the small, human details that make medicine work.

The 2025 NFCR Global Summit reinforced how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the entire ecosystem of cancer research and patient care, from laboratory discovery to bedside decision-making.  “AI is extraordinary at identifying global trends,” Dr. Sujuan Ba, President  & CEO of the National Foundation for Cancer Research, summarized, “We are leading and uniting the world’s top scientific minds to confront the toughest questions head-on — ensuring that innovation in artificial intelligence serves not only science, but humanity.”

For more than five decades, NFCR has funded pioneering ideas, supported risk-taking scientists, and created platforms for discovery. As the world enters the era of AI-driven medicine, NFCR continues to lead — as a convener, a catalyst, and a navigator for the breakthroughs that will define the next generation of cancer care.

About the NFCR Global Summit and Award Ceremonies for Cancer Research & Entrepreneurship

The NFCR Global Summit and Award Ceremonies for Cancer Research & Entrepreneurship is a signature annual gathering where the leaders driving the future of oncology come together under one roof to challenge the status quo, reveal bold ideas, share insights, and spark collaborations that shape what’s next in cancer research and patient care.

It is designed to catalyze new collaborations, foster new ideas, and develop action plans, all organically generated and mutually stimulated through real-time, provocative, and thoughtful discussions. This event convenes the leading voices shaping cancer research, provides direct access to innovators and investors, and takes place at the National Press Club — a historic venue known as the stage where major developments are announced to the world.

Learn more about past NFCR Global Summits >>>