Ellis Fischel Cancer Center celebrates 2025 Cancer Research Day

The University of Missouri Ellis Fischel Cancer Center recently hosted its annual Cancer Research Day, an event aimed to increase understanding and awareness of the Center’s research endeavors and encourage collaboration with other cancer research institutions in Missouri.

Students, fellows and faculty conducting cancer research throughout the University of Missouri System presented recent findings and ongoing cancer research in interactive poster sessions, three-minute presentations and guest lectures.

“We were thrilled to have so many friends of the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center join us for this annual event dedicated to advancing cancer research and clinical care, fostering collaboration, and celebrating innovation in the fight against cancer,” said Gerhard Hildebrandt, MD, executive director of Ellis Fischel Cancer Center. “This event brings together brilliant minds, united by a shared commitment to discovery and progress. Their shared passion and contributions drive meaningful change and inspires the exchange of ideas that will shape the future of cancer research.”

Research submissions were organized across four areas: Cancer Prevention, Control, Outreach & Engagement; Theranostics & Molecular Imaging; Immunomodulation & Regenerative Medicine and Comparative Oncology & Translational Medicine.
 

This year’s Oppenheimer-Franklin Cancer Lectureship, established in memory of Minnie K. Oppenheimer and in recognition of Dr. Paul Franklin, was presented by Sheila A. Stewart, PhD.

Dr. Stewart is the Gerty Cori Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, the associate director of Basic Science, and the program co-leader of Mechanisms of Cancer Biology Program (MCBP) at Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University at St. Louis (Missouri).

Her research focuses on understanding how cells detect and respond to changes at the ends of chromosomes, known as telomeres. This work is crucial for revealing how early-stage cancer cells develop the ability to keep dividing indefinitely.

The Cancer Center Collaborations lecture was presented by Saad J. Kenderian, MB, ChB, an assistant professor of Oncology, Medicine, Immunology and Molecular Medicine from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Kenderian treats chronic lymphocytic leukemia and graft versus host disease patients and focuses his research on the development, application and optimization of novel engineered T-cell therapies for the treatment of cancer.

Cancer research trainees and early-career investigators were recognized for their outstanding achievements.

Best Abstract Award: Bryan J. Thomas, MD/PhD candidate 2025 (PI: Donald H. Burke-Aguero, PhD)

Best Poster Award: First Place: Kanishka Sikligar, PhD (PI: Lixin Ma, PhD), Second Place: Okunsogie Jessica Osaze, PhD candidate 2025 (PI: Randi E. Foraker, PhD, MA, FAHA, FAMIA, FACMI), Third Place: Annie J. Orr, MD (PI: Patrick Tassone, MD)

Best Three-Minute Talk Award: Vivian A. Yang, DVM (PI: Michael Lewis, MS, PhD)

Director’s Research Award: Nisha Naseer, MS4 (PI: Greg Biedermann, MD)

Michael C. Perry Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award: Vasantharaja Raguraman, PhD (PI: Gerhard C. Hildebrandt)