Research Newsletter - May 2026

Cancer Research Day features nearly 200 abstracts

The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center’s 2026 Cancer Research Day, held May 7, featured a record 194 abstracts. The poster session highlighted some of the best cancer research being conducted by students, fellows and faculty from Indiana University-Indianapolis, Indiana University-Bloomington, Purdue University, and the Harper Cancer Research Institute — a collaboration between IU School of Medicine-South Bend and the University of Notre Dame. See a list of the award winners.

The symposium included presentations by Michael Feldman, MD, PhD, and Anita Turk, MD. New this year, a patient panel featured three advocates who shared their cancer journeys and connected directly with researchers during a Q&A. A new lightning session featured junior faculty delivering fast-paced talks on their work.

In addition, 40 high school students attended Cancer Research Day. The students explored how cancer affects people and communities, experienced a live poster session where they could ask questions, and connected with researchers and professionals to learn about careers in science and medicine.

Watch the Cancer Research Day highlight reel

More than 100 cancer center leaders, researchers, clinicians and patient advocates walked the halls of Congress as part of the 2026 AACR-AACI Joint Hill Day on May 14. Kelvin Lee, MD, cancer center director; Hari Nakshatri, PhD; Rich Zellars, MD; Eric Vachon, PhD; and Trisha Wise-Draper, MD, PhD, incoming director of the Division of Hematology/Oncology and cancer center deputy director, represented IU. They met with Sen. Todd Young and staffers with Sen. Jim Banks’ office and staffers with Representatives Jefferson Shreve, André Carson, Jim Baird, and Mark Messmer.

Hill Day is crucial to sharing our message with our legislators in Washington: that stable, predictable funds for the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute are critical for advancing cancer research and care at our nation’s cancer centers. The annual event is held during National Cancer Research Month, a moment to celebrate decades of progress, honor patients, and recommit to the science that has saved millions of lives.

The cancer center’s advancement team — made up of the communications and gift development professionals behind our fundraising and storytelling — recently joined peers from NCI-designated cancer centers at the National Association of Cancer Center Development Officers-Cancer Marketing and Communications Association (NACCDO-CMCA) Conference in Toronto.

This annual conference brings together communications and gift development professionals from cancer centers across the country to share ideas, build partnerships and support cancer research progress. Amber Senseny, executive director of advancement, was the among presenters.

Tricia Bowen, event coordinator for the cancer center’s gift development team, received the prestigious NACCDO Patrick Mulvey Scholarship to attend this year’s conference. The scholarship recognizes emerging professionals who demonstrate a deep commitment to the field.

In 2027, the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center will host the national conference in Indianapolis and welcome colleagues from across the country.

End Lung Cancer Now, an initiative of the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the IU Health mobile lung screening unit will be part of this year’s Indy 500 Festival Parade on Saturday, May 23, in downtown Indianapolis.

The End Lung Cancer Now team and volunteers will be spreading the word about their efforts to save lives through early detection and lung cancer prevention to thousands of parade-goers and a televised audience. For those unable to attend the parade, it will air at noon on WTHR Channel 13.