Professional and Career Development Sessions

The AACR is dedicated to the education, training, and professional development of cancer research investigators and the Professional Development Series of sessions are an integral part of the AACR Annual Meeting experience. 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 Professional Development Sessions will take place during the AACR Annual Meeting 2026, including one-on-one personal time with esteemed cancer researchers to discuss science and obtain career advice, intimate roundtable discussions on specific topics facilitated by leaders from various sectors, timely panel discussion sessions offering important insights on critical topics to investigators at all stages in their careers. 

Grant Writing Workshop: Tips for Success from experienced scientists

Friday, April 17 | 1-4 p.m.
Grand A | Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

This session will provide new investigators (postdoctoral fellows and new faculty) 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. Different types of grants from NIH (Rs, Ks, Fs etc.) as well as grants from other countries will be addressed. Summary Statements (“pink sheets”) are also discussed, and the session will conclude with a roundtable that allows participants to network and ask experienced scientists questions about the grants they were working on.

How to Design Successful Career Path in Cancer Research: The Do’s and Don’ts for Early-stage Investigators Workshop

Friday, April 17 | 5-7:00 p.m.
Grand A | Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

This session offers early-career investigators an opportunity to acquire skills and learn key strategies to support their pursuit of a first independent research position. The discussion centers around advice for avoiding common pitfalls and developing alternative tactics to improve the likelihood of success. An expert panel of established investigators shares invaluable insights on navigating the initial stages of a career in cancer research. The session is designed specifically for those transitioning from trainee roles to the next phase of their careers in both academic and non-academic settings.

PERSONALIZED CAREER CONVERSATIONS

Saturday, April 19 | 5-7 p.m.
Grand AB | Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

This session offers early-career AACR Associate Members the opportunity to participate in 15-minute one-on-one conversations with distinguished cancer researchers from academia, government, and industry. While these personalized discussions take place, session chairs moderate informal group conversations on key career-related topics. Participants also hve the chance to network with peers and members of the organizing groups for broader perspective and guidance. The general session is open to all attendees, and pre-registered is required.

Building an Effective Mentorship Team: Essential Strategies at Every Stage in Your Careeer

Sunday, April 19 | 6-8:00 p.m.
Grand CD | Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

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. This session features experienced cancer researchers who share their personal mentoring stories and offer guidance on forming and leveraging an effective mentoring team. Attendees learn strategies applicable to every career stage, from trainee to established investigator.

Navigating the Path to a Successful Career in Cancer Research

Monday, April 20 | 5-7 p.m.
Seaport FGH | Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

This exciting and interactive session and networking reception provides a forum for students, early-career researchers, and early-stage investigators to explore key career development topics through informal, mentored roundtable discussions. Tables with pre-assigned professional development themes are facilitated by established scientists from academia, government, industry, biotech, nonprofit, and nontraditional sectors.

A Dialogue with Industry: Career and Collaboration Opportunities (pds06)

Tuesday, April 21 |5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Seaport FGH | Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

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

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.

Additional Professional Development Opportunities

From Hypothesis to Headline: Publishing Your Research (PDS08)

Monday, April 20 | 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Harbor FGH | Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego