NFCR Global Summit
and Award Ceremonies For Cancer Research & Entrepreneurship
Friday, October 9, 2026 | The National Press Club, Washington, DC
View the Full Agenda Details for the 2026 NFCR Global Summit below!
Part I: New Frontiers for Cancer Research
8:30 AM – 8:40 AM:
Welcome Remarks: Sujuan Ba, Ph.D. CEO of NFCR and Co-Founder of AIM-HI Accelerator Fund
8:30 AM – 8:40 AM:
Science at NFCR: Web Cavenee, Ph.D. Chair of the Scientific Advisor Board of NFCR and UCSD Distinguished Professor
8:50 AM – 9:15 AM:
Keynote Address:
Bruce Beutler, M.D., 2011 Nobel Prize Laureate in Physiology or Medicine
9:15 AM – 9:35 AM:
Featured Speech: Latest Clinical Results on Prevention of HPV-associated Cancers
Doug Lowy, M.D., Deputy Director of NCI
9:15 AM – 9:35 AM:
Featured Speech: Google and AI in Life Science
Shweta Maniar, Global Director, Strategic Industries, Health Care & Life Sciences, Google Cloud
9:55 AM – 10:45 AM:
PANEL I: AI and Cancer Detection
Moderator: Funmi Olopade, M.D., University of Chicago Medicine
Panelists:
David Hall, Hill Research
Bill Lotter, Ph.D., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Shweta Maniar, Google Cloud
Eytan Ruppin, M.D., Ph.D., Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM:
Coffee Break and Networking
11:15 AM – 11:35 AM:
Featured Speech: Molecular Twins – Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer
Ludmil Alexandrov, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego
11:35 AM – 12:25 AM:
PANEL II: AI in Real-World Oncology Care Bridging Innovation and Patient Care
Moderator: Josefa Briceno, M.D., AstraZeneca
Panelists:
Ludmil Alexandrov, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego
Teresa Davoli, Ph.D., New York University School of Medicine
Bruce Johnson, M.D., Dana Farber
Dan Theodorescu, M.D., Ph.D., University of Arizona Cancer Center
Neil Farber, M.D., Cancer Research Advocate, University of California, San Diego
12:25 PM – 12:40 PM:
Summary of Morning Session
Raju Kucherlapati, Ph.D., Harvard School of Medicine
12:40 PM – 2:00 PM
Lunch Break
Part II: AIM-HI Oncology Leadership & Entrepreneurship Forum
2:00 PM – 2:10 PM:
Introduction AIM-HI Beacon Award Ceremony
Co-Chairs: Anna Barker, Ph.D., Ellison Medical Institute, and Webster Cavenee, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego
2:10 PM – 2:30 PM:
AIM-HI Beacon Awardee Introduction Presentation
Laura J. Esserman, M.D., UCSF Breast Cancer Center
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM:
AIM-HI Venture Competition Awardee Introduction
Co-Chair: Pamela Garzone, Ph.D., Anixa Biosciences, and
Raju Kucherlapati, Ph.D., Harvard School of Medicine
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM:
AIM-HI Venture Competition Winners Showcase
Moderator: Eva Martin, Roche Pharma Partnering
Showcase 1:
First Prize Presentation of the Women Venture Competition
Faith Barnett, M.D., Ph.D., Resolute Science
Showcase 2:
First Prize Presentation of BRACE Award Venture Competition
Sidi Chen, Ph.D., Cellinfinity Bio
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM:
Panel Discussion: Chat between Entrepreneurs and Investors
Moderator: Ronald DePinho, M.D., UT MD Anderson
Panelists:
Eva Martin, Roche Pharma Partnering
Magda Papadaki, Flagship Pioneering
Faith Barnett, M.D., Ph.D., Resolute Science
Sidi Chen, Ph.D., Cellinfinity Bio
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM:
Networking and Intermission
Part III: Szent-Györgyi Prize Award Ceremony and Dinner
Honoring Dr. Michele Carbone (Black-tie Optional)
6:00 PM – 6:55PM:
Reception
7:05 PM:
Opening Remarks by Sujuan Ba, Ph.D., CEO of NFCR, Co-Founder of AIM-HI & Founder of AFCR, Co-Chair of 2026 Szent-Györgyi Prize Selection Committee
7:45 PM:
Introduction by 2025 Szent-Györgyi Prize Winner:
Tony Hunter, Ph.D., Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Award Presentation to the 2026 Szent-Györgyi Prize Winner:
Tony Hunter, Ph.D., Chair 2026 Selection Committee
Sujuan Ba, Ph.D., Co-Chair 2026 Selection Committee
2026 Szent-Györgyi Prize Winner Award Speech
Michele Carbone, M.D., Ph.D., University of Hawaii Cancer Center
8:25 PM:
Closing Remarks
8:30 PM:
Farewell and Photo Taking
Sponsorship Opportunities
