Pre-Symposium | Tuesday, April 13, 2027
Funding and Grant Development Workshop
Time: 3:00 pm – 8:45 pm
Location: Pyle Center, UW–Madison
Symposium | Wednesday, April 14, 2027
Time: 7:00 am – 5:30 pm
Location: Health Science Learning Center, UW–Madison
Hosted by the UW Carbone Cancer Center’s Global Oncology Program in partnership with the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium
GLOBAL ONCOLOGY, LOCAL IMPACT:
Bidirectional Partnerships in Cancer Research
2027 Focus: Detection, Diagnosis, and Prevention
Everyone with a passion for advancing cancer equity is welcome.
Join colleagues, collaborators, trainees, students, researchers, clinicians,
public health professionals, and community partners from around the world
to share ideas, build connections, and create meaningful impact.
Highlights
Specific Aims Studio
Strengthen your grant proposal with expert feedback.
Get live feedback from funded investigators and peers.
Refine your Specific Aims for your next grant submission.
Submissions for aims drafts will open soon.
Abstracts & Oral Presentation Competitions
Top 6 abstracts selected for oral presentation.
Compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards.
Abstract submissions will open soon.
Scientific Sessions & Networking
Hear how global insights are driving scalable solutions to local challenges.
Network with global leaders, researchers, and future collaborators.
Engage in expert-led panels and interactive discussions.
Keynote Lecture
Innovative Approaches to Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment: Locally and Globally
Kathleen M. Schmeler, MD
Associate Vice President of Global Oncology and Professor,
Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine,
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Full Program
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Day 1: Pre-Symposium Workshop
*subject to change
Funding & Grant Development Workshop
Tuesday, April 13, 2027 | 3:00–8:45 PM | Pyle Center
3:00–4:15 PM
Specific Aims Studio
Structured critique of pre-submitted grant Specific Aims pages in small groups with faculty mentors and peers.
4:15–4:30 PM
Break
4:30–4:35 PM
Welcome, Orientation & Workshop Objectives
Dr. Syed Nabeel Zafar
4:35–5:30 PM
NIH Funding Opportunities for Global Oncology Research
Federal funding mechanisms, portfolio priorities, and application strategies, followed by moderated Q&A.
Dr. Sudha Sivaram, DrPH & Dr. Mark Parascandola, PhD, MPH — NCI Center for Global Health
5:30–5:35 PM
Break
5:35–7:35 PM
Philanthropic, Foundation & Industry Funding for Global Oncology
Funding opportunities and strategies, followed by moderated Q&A.
Dr. Kathleen Schmeler, Dr. Irina Stepanov
7:35–7:40 PM
Closing Remarks & Next Steps
Dr. Syed Nabeel Zafar
7:45–8:45 PM
Networking Dinner
Workshop participants and faculty mentors
Day 2: Symposium Scientific Program
*subject to change
Wednesday, April 14, 2027 | 7:00 AM–5:30 PM | Health Sciences Learning Center
7:00–8:00 AM
BTCRC Global Oncology Working Group Meeting
Multi-site concept development and joint training-grant planning (invite only)
Chair: Dr. Syed Nabeel Zafar
7:30–8:00 AM
Registration Opens · Coffee
8:00–9:00 AM
The Value and Challenges of Cancer Clinical Trials in LMICs
UW Carbone Cancer Center Grand Rounds
Speaker: To be announced
9:00–9:30 AM
Breakfast · Networking · Exhibitor Hall · Poster Viewing
9:30–10:00 AM
Opening Session: Welcome, Program Overview & BTCRC Working Group Report
Dr. Syed Nabeel Zafar; Dean Nita Ahuja, MD; Dr. Christian Capitini, MD (UWCCC Director)
10:00–11:30 AM
Session 1: Infectious & Environmental Causes of Cancer: Screening & Early Detection
HPV, hepatitis B and C, H. pylori, screening and vaccination, regulatory policy, and early-detection technologies.
Dr. Irina Stepanov, PhD; Dr. Robert Striker, MD, PhD; Dr. Xiao-Ou Shu, MD, PhD, MPH
11:30 AM–12:45 PM
Lunch · Exhibitors · Poster Session
Investigator-initiated meetings in reserved breakout rooms
12:45–1:45 PM
Keynote Lecture: Innovative Approaches to Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment: Locally and Globally
Dr. Kathleen M. Schmeler, MD
1:45–2:45 PM
Session 2: Point-of-Care Diagnostics & Biomarkers
Emerging approaches to diagnostics and biomarkers, followed by moderated discussion.
Dr. Lifang Hou, MD, PhD; Dr. Abiola Ibraheem, MD
2:45–3:15 PM
Afternoon Break · Exhibitors · Poster Viewing
3:15–4:15 PM
Trainee Oral Presentations
Six competitively selected abstracts
4:15–4:30 PM
Abstract Awards, Closing Remarks & Feedback
4:30–5:30 PM
Networking Reception · Posters
Investigator-initiated meetings in reserved breakout rooms
Submit Your Abstract & Share Your Work with a Global Audience!
All accepted abstracts will be presented as posters at the symposium.
The top six are selected for oral presentation, with awards for first, second, and third place.
Submissions are open. Deadline: November 15, 2026
Global Oncology Symposium 2025 Highlights
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Katherine Van Loon, MD, MPH
Director, Global Cancer Program | UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Dr. Van Loon is an internationally recognized leader in global cancer research and equity. She directs UCSF’s Global Cancer Program, leading partnerships across low- and middle-income countries and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of JCO Global Oncology. Her work focuses on reducing disparities in cancer outcomes both globally and in underserved U.S. populations.
Grand Round Speaker: Dr. T. Peter Kingham, MD, FACS
Director, Global Cancer Disparities Initiative | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Dr. Kingham is a global surgery pioneer and HPB surgical oncologist who leads NIH-funded cancer programs in West Africa. He co-founded the African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO) and has helped build some of the most impactful global cancer research networks to date. His work focuses on advancing equity in cancer surgery through research, training, and cross-continental partnerships.