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Research Symposium Wraps Up Summer Programs

Group photo at the 2026 Summer Student Research Symposium

Friday, August 7, 2026

More than two dozen high school and undergraduate students who participated in summer research programs at the University of Illinois Cancer Center wowed the crowd with impressive presentations of their research projects at a closing symposium.

Program mentors, families and friends packed the Cancer Center's 2026 Summer Student Research Symposium, held on August 5, to watch the students eagerly showcase what they learned and admire their research posters.

2026 ResearcHStart cohort, a multi-institution program
2026 ResearcHStart cohort, a multi-institution program.
2026 CHESS cohort, a collaboration with the UIC Urban Health Program
2026 CHESS cohort, a collaboration with the UIC Urban Health Program.

The symposium featured students from three programs: ResearcHStart and CHESS (Cancer Health Engagement Summer Scholars) for high school students, and U-CREATE (Undergraduate Cancer Research Exploration and Training Experience) for undergraduate students.

The symposium keynote speaker was Beulah Brent, the CEO of Sisters Working it Out (SWIO), a women's health and advocacy organization and a much-valued community partner of the Cancer Center.

2026 U-CREATE cohort, supported by the American Cancer Society
2026 U-CREATE cohort, supported by the American Cancer Society.
U-CREATE student Yanel Gonzalez and Er Lab members, including her mentor Cancer Center member Ekrem Emrah Er, PhD
U-CREATE student Yanel Gonzalez and Er Lab members, including her mentor Cancer Center member Ekrem Emrah Er, PhD.

Summer programs are run through the Cancer Center's Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) team and are critical to the mission of increasing the number of trainees, from high school to junior faculty, who pursue cancer research as a potential career field. Increasing the number of trainees interested in oncology research at all levels in the workforce can improve cancer outcomes for all.

A fourth program for medical students, hosted by the Cancer Center as part of the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program: Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP), wrapped up with presentations of their research projects at a July 8 culminating event.

Bronson Stamper and Cancer Center member Paul Grippo, PhD, the CRTEC Early Pathway Lead
CHESS student Bronson Stamper and Cancer Center member Paul Grippo, PhD, the CRTEC Early Pathway Lead.
Poster competition winners, from left: Adib Hashem and Justin Zheng from ResearcHStart, Bronson Stamper from CHESS, and Alexandra Guerrero from U-CREATE
Poster competition winners (left to right): Adib Hashem from ResearcHStart; Isidore Roxas from U-CREATE; Bronson Stamper from CHESS; and Alexandra Guerrero from U-CREATE.
U-CREATE student Muzna Ali
U-CREATE student Muzna Ali.
2026 Winn CIPP cohort with CRTEC Director Beverly Chukwudozie, MBA, MPH, and Cancer Center Director Jan Kitajewski, PhD
2026 Winn CIPP cohort with CRTEC Director Beverly Chukwudozie, MBA, MPH (second from left), and Cancer Center Director Jan Kitajewski, PhD (second from right).
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