Professional and Career Development Sessions
The AACR is dedicated to the education, training, and professional development of cancer research investigators and the AACR Professional Development Series of Sessions has been an integral part of the AACR Annual Meeting experience, representing our dedication to cancer research investigators’ education, training, and career development. Organized as a collaborative effort by the AACR Science Education and Career Advancement Committee, Minorities in Cancer Research (MICR) Council, Women in Cancer Research (WICR) Council, and Associate Member Council (AMC), these exciting sessions are available to Annual Meeting registrants who are AACR members free of charge and provide important skills to investigators at all stages in their careers. Email [email protected] with questions.
2026 Professional Development Series Sessions
Several interactive and engaging professional development opportunities have been organized to provide important skills to investigators at all levels, from students to junior faculty. For AACR members, all 2026 Professional Development Series of Sessions are free with your Annual Meeting registration and are an added benefit of your membership. Advanced registration is required for Personalized Career Conversations and the 21st Annual Undergraduate Student Caucus and Poster Competition. Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis, and space is limited.
Grant Writing Workshop: Tips for Success from experienced scientists (PDS01)
Friday, April 17 | 1-4 p.m.
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | Grand A
This session aims to provide new investigators (postdoctoral fellows and new faculty) with practical tools to write competitive grants. Focus is on how to write well for grants, how to structure an aims page to help the reviewer “get” all the information you want them to, and how to write an aims page that makes a reviewer excited about your grant. We will address different types of grants from NIH (Rs, Ks, Fs, etc.) as well as grants from other countries. We will also discuss Summary Statements (“pink sheets”) and have a panel where participants can ask experienced scientists about grants and grant reviews.
Chairs:
Sandra W. Ryeom, PhD, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
Rui Li, MD, PhD, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
Valerie Odero-Marah, PhD, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland
Luz Marie Rodriguez, MD, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
How to Design Successful Career Path in Cancer Research: The Do’s and Don’ts for Early-stage Investigators (PDS02)
Friday, April 17 | 5-7 p.m.
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | Grand A
This session offers early-career investigators an opportunity to learn about key strategies that can aid in the transition from trainee positions to their next career stage pursuit of their first independent research position. The discussion will center around advice in avoiding “pitfalls” pitfalls and developing “alternative” proven tactics to enhance the probability of success in this process. We have assembled an expert panel of established investigators with a global perspective, with who will share their invaluable advice on navigating the first steps in a successful career in cancer research. This session is designed specifically for those who are making the transition from trainee positions to their next career stage.
Chairs:
José G. Treviño, II., MD, FACS, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond, Virginia
Greisha L. Ortiz Hernández, PhD, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
Charnita Zeigler-Johnson, PhD, MPH, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mariana C. Stern, PhD, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, California
PERSONALIZED CAREER CONVERSATIONS (PDS03)
Sunday, April 19 | 5-7 p.m.
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | Grand AB
This session, organized collaboratively by the AMC, MICR Council, SECAC, and WICR Council, offers early career AACR Associate Members a valuable professional development opportunity. Participants will engage in two individualized, 15-minute conversations with distinguished cancer researchers representing academia, government, and industry. In addition to these one-on-one discussions, attendees will be able to network informally with peers and members of the organizing groups to gain diverse insights into career pathways and development. The event is free to attend; however, preregistration is required.
Chairs:
Antonio T. Baines, PhD, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina
Cody L. Wolf, PhD, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
Lorna Rodriguez-Rodriguez, MD, PhD, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
Melissa R. Junttila, PhD, ORIC Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California
Building Your Effective Mentorship Team: Challenges, Successes, and Essential Strategies at Every Stage in Your Career (PDS04)
Sunday, April 19 | 6-8 p.m.
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | Grand CD
Navigating a successful career in cancer research, whether in academia, industry, or government, can be daunting. Establishing a team of mentors to guide you along the way is an essential step as you begin your journey. In this highly interactive session, cancer researchers with a strong commitment to mentoring and supporting the professional development of cancer research investigators will share their knowledge and experience leading mentoring teams. Hear their stories and learn how to build and take full advantage of an effective mentoring team, whether you are a trainee, an early-stage investigator, or a later-stage investigator considering a career change.
Chairs:
Heather K. Beasley, PhD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
Electron Kebebew, MD, Stanford Univ. Medical Center, Stanford, California
Katherine Y. Tossas, PhD, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Richmond, Virginia
Navigating the Path to a Successful Career in Cancer Research (PDS05)
Monday, April 20 | 5-7 p.m.
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | Seaport FGH
This dynamic and interactive session, followed by a networking reception, offers students, early-career researchers, and early-stage investigators a valuable forum to explore key career development topics and essential professional skills. Participants will engage in informal, mentored roundtable discussions, each centered on a pre-selected professional development theme. These discussions are facilitated by established scientists representing diverse sectors—including academia, government, and industry, providing attendees with a broad range of perspectives and guidance.
Chairs:
Christopher M. Sistrunk, PhD, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California
Johnson Ung, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
Yamilé Molina, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Ilinois
Arti Patel Varanasi, PhD, MPH, CPH, Advancing Synergy, LLC, Baltimore, Maryland
A Dialogue with Industry: Career and Collaboration Opportunities (pds06)
Tuesday, April 21 |5:30-7:30 p.m.
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | Seaport FGH
This must-attend Professional Development Session will provide early- and mid- career investigators the opportunity to hear from leaders in biotech and pharma about their career journeys. The session will include inspiring talks from the panelists sharing their experience on how to navigate a successful career in industry, followed by a moderated panel discussion where attendees will be able to interact with the panelists about career and collaboration opportunities with industry. The session will explore the professional journeys of industry leaders, and each speaker will discuss factors that have contributed to their success in industry, how they overcame barriers and disruptions, and offer advice on how to leverage opportunities that currently exist to develop the next generation of industry leaders in cancer research. At the culmination of the session, attendees will have the opportunity to network.
Chairs:
Brian M. Rivers, PhD, MPH, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
Carmen E. Guerra, MD, MSCE, FACP, Abramson Cancer Center, Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Susan Galbraith, MBBChir, PhD, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Tejaswini P. Reddy, MD, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine/MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Additional Professional Development Opportunities
From Hypothesis to Headline: Publishing Your Research (PDS08)
Monday, April 20 | 5:30-7 p.m.
Harbor FGH | Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
21st Annual Undergraduate Student Caucus and Poster Competition
Saturday, April 18 | 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (PDS09)
Saturday, April 18 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (PDS09)
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | Grand BCD
With more than 200 undergraduate student participants every year, the Undergraduate Student Caucus Poster Competition continues to be the premier event for undergraduate students attending the AACR Annual Meeting. Now in its 21st year, this session gives undergraduates the opportunity to learn more about current research in the cancer field, hear from investigators about educational pathways and career development, explore career options in the cancer field, and compete for monetary prizes while presenting research. Undergraduates at all levels are welcome to participate without cost.
Chair:
Brian M. Rivers, MPH, PhD, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
Special Program for High School Students “The Conquest of Cancer and the Next Generation of Cancer Researchers” (PDS10)
Tuesday, April 21 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | Grand CD
The Special Program for High School Students is designed to foster meaningful engagement between senior cancer scientists and motivated young students. By creating opportunities for direct interaction, the program aims to inspire students’ interest in biomedical research and support their potential future contributions to scientific discovery and the fight against cancer.