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Join the University of Illinois Cancer Center community for a day of cancer research, collaboration, and conversation featuring scientific presentations, a community advocate speaker, and a student and trainee poster competition.

About the Symposium

The Dr. Gary Kruh Cancer Research Symposium brings together researchers, clinicians, trainees, students, and community members to highlight innovative cancer research and foster collaboration across the University of Illinois Cancer Center.

Held annually in honor of former Cancer Center Director Gary Kruh, MD, PhD, the symposium reflects his lasting impact on the Center’s scientific mission. From 2007 to 2011, he unified researchers across disciplines, strengthened the Cancer Center’s identity, and advanced research programs spanning cancer control and prevention, therapeutics, imaging, and tumor biology. He also played a key role in launching the Cancer Center’s first Comprehensive Patient Navigation Center in partnership with the American Cancer Society.

This symposium honors his leadership and vision by continuing his commitment to collaboration, discovery, and improving outcomes for patients and communities.

Who Should Attend

This symposium is open to:

• Cancer Center members and affiliates
• Faculty, clinicians, and researchers
• Students, postdocs, and fellows
• Community partners and advocates

Featured Speakers

Elaine Mardis, PhD

Co-Executive Director, Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Professor of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University
Co-Leader, Translational Therapeutics Program, OSUCCC – The James

Amy Trentham-Dietz, PhD

Professor, Population Health Sciences, UW–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health
Associate Director, Population Sciences and Community Engagement, Carbone Cancer Center

Matthew Vander Heiden, MD, PhD

Director, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research
Lester Wolfe Professor of Molecular Biology, Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Student/Trainee Poster Competition

The Dr. Gary Kruh Student/Trainee Poster Competition is an opportunity to share your cancer-focused research as part of our annual symposium.

Participants present their work in person to an audience that includes researchers, clinicians, and community members. Posters are reviewed by both scientific judges and community reviewers, offering a unique chance to practice communicating research beyond an academic setting.

Selected presenters are eligible for monetary awards and formal recognition for excellence in cancer research communication.

Whether you are early in your training or nearing the completion of your program, this competition is designed to elevate your work, expand your professional visibility, and strengthen your ability to explain the impact of your research to diverse audiences.

Awards

Award recipients will receive a $500 prize and a certificate of recognition in one of four categories.

All submission instructions, eligibility details, and requirements are available through the official submission form.