Friday, June 12, 2026
| 7:30-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast & Registration Virtual Networking Breakout Session |
| 8:30-8:40 a.m. | Opening Remarks Robert Clarke, PhD, DSc Executive Director, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota Global Cancer Consortium Committee Chair |
Session One
Tumor-Host Interactions: From Ecosystem to Systemic Stress
Session Chair: Robert Clarke, PhD, DSc
| 8:40-9:15 a.m. | Keynote: Metastasis - Hallmarks and Clinical Opportunities Danny R. Welch, PhD Professor, The Kansas University Medical Center |
| 9:15-9:25 a.m. | Selected Abstract Talk: DNA Methylation Profiling Identifies a Convergent, Lineage-Agnostic Brain Metastasis Subtype with Prognostic Significance and Therapeutic Vulnerabilities Andrew Ajisebutu, MD Neurosurgery Resident University of Toronto & University of Manitoba |
| 9:25-9:45 a.m. | Metabolic Reprogramming in Prometastatic Hepatic Stellate Cells Ningling Kang, PhD Professor, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota |
| 9:45-10:15 a.m. | Break Virtual Networking Breakout Session |
| 10:15-10:35 a.m. | Functional Characterization of Macrophage Heterogeneity During Breast Cancer Progression Kaylee Schwertfeger, PhD Professor, University of Minnesota |
| 10:35-10:45 a.m. | Thriver's Journey Beth Lortz District Office Administrative Assistant, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Community School District |
| 10:45-11:30 a.m. | Speakers Panel Discussion Danny R. Welch Ningling Kang Kaylee Schwertfeger Beth Lortz Andrew Ajisebutu Moderated by Robert Clarke |
| 11:30 a.m.-Noon | Poster Flash Talks |
| Noon-1:30 p.m. | Poster Sessions with Lunch Virtual Networking Breakout Session |
Session Two
Dissemination, Dormancy, and Reawakening
Session Chair: Vivek Rangnekar, PhD, University of Kentucky
| 1:30-2:05 p.m. |
Keynote: Forcing Through Metastasis: Regulation of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity by ECM Stiffness |
| 2:05-2:15 p.m. | Selected Abstract Talk: Engineered Bone Marrow Hydrogel Platform Development to Study Breast Cancer Dormancy Mary Todd PhD Candidate University of Minnesota |
| 2:15-2:35 p.m. | NK Cell Regulation of Breast Cancer Dormancy Grace G. Bushnell, PhD Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota |
| 2:35-3:05 p.m. | Break |
| 3:05-3:25 p.m. | Cytoskeletal and Metabolic Drivers of Metastatic Invasion Gina Razidlo, PhD Associate Professor, Mayo Clinic, Rochester |
| 3:25-3:35 p.m. | Navigating a Stage IV Colorectal Cancer - My Experience and Shaping a Better Future John Woerner Chair, Colorectal Cancer Alliance |
| 3:35-4:20 p.m. | Speakers Panel Discussion Jing Yang Grace G. Bushnell Gina Razidlo John Woerner Mary Todd Moderated by Vivek Ragnekar |
| 4:20-4:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks Vivek M. Rangnekar, PhD University of Kentucky Global Cancer Consortium Committee |
| 4:30-7:30 p.m. | Networking Reception and Dinner at The Hormel Institute Virtual Networking Breakout Session |
Saturday, June 13, 2026
| 7:30-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast & Registration |
| 8:30-8:40 a.m. | Opening Remarks Eric Rahrmann, PhD Assistant Professor, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota |
Session Three
Technologies Driving Discovery and Early Detection
Session Chair: Eric Rahrmann, PhD
| 8:40-9:15 a.m. | Keynote: Liquid Biopsy - The Rise of a Medical Revolution Catherine Alix-Panabiéres, PhD Managing Director, University Hospital of Montpellier |
| 9:15-9:25 a.m. | Selected Abstract Talk: A Multi-Omics Immune Signature for Predicting DCIS Progression to Invasive Breast Cancer: An AI-Driven Discovery Approach Medha Jha PhD Candidate Delhi Technological University |
| 9:25-9:45 a.m. | AI-Powered Spatial Insights Into the Malignant Transition and Disease Progression Linghua Wang, MD, PhD Associate Professor, The University of Texas MD Anderson Center |
| 9:45-10:15 a.m. | Break Virtual Networking Breakout Session |
| 10:15-10:35 a.m. | Functional Genomics of Metastasis and Tumor-Host Cell Interactions David Largaespada, PhD Professor, University of Minnesota |
| 10:35-10:45 a.m. | Thriver's Journey: Finding a Purpose in Pain Jacquelyn Vranicar Founder, vraniCURE |
| 10:45-11:30 a.m. | Speakers Panel Discussion Catherine Alix-Panabiéres Linghua Wang David Largaespada Jacquelyn Vranicar Medha Jha Moderated by Eric Rahrmann |
| 11:30 a.m.-Noon | Poster Flash Talks |
| Noon-1:50 p.m. | Poster Session with Lunch Virtual Networking Breakout Session |
Session Four
Translational Advances: Prevention, Treatment, and
Quality of Life
Session Chair: Danny Welch, PhD
| 1:50-2:05 p.m. | Keynote: Building a Better Research Table - Pull Up a Seat for the Experts in Lived Experience Kelly Shanahan, MD President, METAvivor |
| 2:05-2:15 p.m. | Selected Abstract Talk: Metabolic Reprogramming Enhances CAR T-Cell Control of Established Tumors and Blocks Metastatic Dissemination Elisabet Ampudia Mesias, PhD Research Professional 5 University of Minnesota |
| 2:15-2:35 p.m. | Cancer Immunotherapy Using Multiplex Non-Viral Genome Engineered Immune Effector Cells Branden Moriarity, PhD Associate Professor, University of Minnesota |
| 2:35-3:05 p.m. | Break Virtual Networking Breakout Session |
| 3:05-3:25 p.m. | From Targeting the ER to eRF3: Using an Old Drug to Identify a New Target Matthew P. Goetz, MD Professor, Mayo Clinic, Rochester |
| 3:25-3:35 p.m. | Thriver's Journey Pennie Ladlie |
| 3:35-4:20 p.m. | Speakers Panel Discussion Matthew Goetz Elisabeth Ampudia Mesias Branden Moriarity Moderated by Danny Welch |
| 4:20-4:25 p.m. | Closing Remarks Robert Clarke, PhD, DSc Executive Director, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota Global Cancer Consortium Committee Chair |
| 4:25-5:30 p.m. | Networking Reception Virtual Networking Breakout Session |