“Cancer Prevention and Early Detection”
March 10, 2026
9:15 am – 5:30 pm
Health Science Learning Center Atrium
The in-person event allows us to come together to engage, share research visions, and learn from each other. The contributions from each individual on our Carbone Cancer Center team – from trainees, to administrators, researchers, clinicians, and faculty – allow us to move forward together and be the driving force for research, prevention, and treatment initiatives critical to defeating cancer in Wisconsin and around the world.
Thank you to all that participated in the 2026 UW Carbone Cancer Center Research Retreat. Please take a moment to fill out the survey and share your experience so we can improve the event. If you were unable to attend, please check back shortly for the event session recordings.
Event Information
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:00 am – 9:15 am | Poster Set Up |
| 8:30 am – 9:15 am | Registration |
| 9:15 am – 10:00 am | Welcome |
| 10:00 am – 11:00 am | Dr. John Wong – Keynote Speaker |
| 11:00 am – 11:15 am | Break |
| 11:15 am – 12:15 pm | Industry Panel |
| 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 pm – 2:45 pm | Trainee/Exchange Flash Talks |
| 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Breakout Session/Trainee Career Panel |
| 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm | Formal Poster Session |
| 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Informal Poster Session / Reception |
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM HSLC 1306
Welcome
Dr. Christian Capitini
Acting Director
UW Carbone Cancer Center
“Cancer in Wisconsin”
Governor Tony Evers
Pre-recorded Message
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM HSLC 1306
Keynote Speaker – John B. Wong, M.D., MACP
“Cancer Screening: Lessons Learned and Future Directions”
A Distinguished Professor at the Tufts University School of Medicine, and vice chair for Academic Affairs, chief of the Division of Clinical Decision Making, and primary care internist at Tufts Medical Center, Dr Wong is a vice chair for the US Preventive Services Task Force. His research focuses on the application of decision analysis to help patients, health professionals, and policymakers make informed decisions when choosing among alternative tests, treatments, or health policies, thereby promoting rational evidence-based efficient and effective patient-centered care. His research includes decision analysis, technology assessment, guideline development, appropriate use criteria, evidence synthesis, and shared decision making. After receiving his B.S. in biology with honors from Haverford College and his M.D. from University of Chicago, he completed an internal medicine residency, medical informatics fellowship, and medical chief residency at Tufts Medical Center.
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM HSLC 1306
Industry Panel
UW Carbone is excited to welcome some of our industry and WARF partners as they discuss their contributions to early cancer detection and prevention.
Industry Panel Participants
Exact Sciences – Jordan Karlitz, MD, FACG, AGAF
Elephas – Hinco Gierman, PhD
Myriad – Sarah Ratzel, PhD
Artera – Laura Chang, PhD
WARF – Joshua Carson, Venture Manager
This session will be recorded and made available after the event.
Flash Talk Session
1:00pm–2:45pm
Come support and listen to six UWCCC trainees and 3 visiting scholars as they present their research.
The six UWCCC trainees will compete for travel/research awards.
Flash Talk Awardees
1st Place: Patrick Carney
Mentor: Sean Ronnekleiv-Kelly. MC, FACS
2nd Place: Evan Dray
Mentor: Christian Capitini, MD
3rd Place: Sabrina Reinthaler, PhD
Mentor: Paul Sondel, MD, PhD
Poster Awards
Ruchi Shaw
Wylie Liu
Kaitlyn Schneider
Mustafa Ege Seker
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
Breakout Session #1
HSLC 1306
“Methods Improving Early Detection Across the Cancer Continuum”
Minh Tung Phung, PhD, MPH
Muhammed Murtaza, MBBS, PhD
Dr. Shaneda Warren Andersen, MS, PhD
This session will be recorded and made available after the event.
Breakout Session #2
HSLC 1325
“Multi-modal
Detection Methods”
Wei Huang, MD
Sheena Kerr, PhD
Reinier Hernandez, PhD
This session will be recorded and made available after the event.
Trainee Breakout Session
HSLC 1335
Doctoral Career Panel
Amani Gillette, PhD
Ross Meyers, PhD
Amy Erbe-Gurel, PhD
Eshwar Udho, PhD
Megan Spurgeon, PhD
Kavi Mehta MSc, PhD
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM HSLC Atrium
Formal Poster Session
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
All poster participants will be at their posters during this time. Feel free to wander through and ask the research questions.
Informal Poster Session and Reception
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
At this time please enjoy the hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Posters will remain up during this time but all are encouraged to network and learn.
2026 Research Retreat Steering Committee Members
Co-chairs:
Daniel Shapiro, MD, FACS
Kaitlyn Kelly, MD, MAS
Committee Members
Ting Fu, PhD Kitty Montgomery, PhD, RN, PCNS-BC Jingxi Sheng, PhD, RN Jessica Lang, PhD
Anthony Serritella, MD Christoph Lee, MD, MS, MBA Kristin Bradley, MD Mai Ngo, PhD
Alexander Birbrair, PhD Megan Spurgeon, PhD Kavi Mehta, PhD
Cancer Trainee Network Representatives
Elise Dietmann and Kai Flores