Pre-Conference Programs - Nov. 5-6

SITC 2025 Pre-Conference Programs

Wednesday, Nov. 5–Thursday, Nov. 6

SITC offers a variety of pre-conference programming prior to our 40th Anniversary Annual Meeting. Topics range from grant writing to in-depth discussions on industry topics. We also have a number of events for early career scientists.

Annual Meeting ScheduleAbstract Information

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

Pre-Conference Programs   |   Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center    |   8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

We are still finalizing the schedule for our Pre-Conference Programs. Additional registration is required for Pre-Conference Programs. Times and program schedules subject to change. 

World Immunotherapy Council (WIC) Symposium

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 | 8 a.m.–1 p.m. | Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center - Ballroom Level - Cherry Blossom Ballroom

View WIC Flyer

As part of the 40th Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs, the 6th World Immunotherapy Council (WIC) Symposium will bring together international investigators to highlight groundbreaking immunotherapeutic advances across the globe. This engaging forum will also provide an opportunity for networking between leaders across the IO community, towards the goal of fulfilling the WIC mission in fostering scientific exchange to improve cancer patient care worldwide.

Program Organizers

Cheng Sun, MD, PhD 
University of Science and Technology of China               

Rieneke van de Ven, PhD 
Amsterdam University Medical Centers

Joe Yeong, MD, PhD 
Singapore General Hospital

Target Audience

The target audience for this program consists of individuals from academic institutions, industry and regulatory agencies, including clinicians, basic and translational researchers, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and allied health professionals who wish to learn more about the future of cancer immunotherapy research across the globe.
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Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Recognize ongoing cancer immunotherapy research across the globe

  • Translate worldwide state-of-the-art cancer immunotherapy strategies into practice

  • Identify the unique challenges and future issues as cancer immunotherapy is integrated into mainstream cancer treatment modalities

Introduction 

8:00 a.m.

Program Introduction
Bernard Fox, PhD – Earle A. Chiles Research Institute
James L. Gulley, MD, PhD, FACP  – National Cancer Institute

Session I: The Tumor Immune Microenvironment: Mechanisms of Suppression, Escape, and Crosstalk

8:10 a.m.

Introduction
Joe Yeong, MD, PhD – Singapore General Hospital

8:15 a.m.

Decoding clinical and molecular determinants of tertiary lymphoid structure heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer by integrating multimodal spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and histopathology imaging
Michael Geuenich, PhD candidate, Canadian Cancer Immunotherapy Consortium (CCIC)  

8:25 a.m.

CD163+ macrophages are an effective target for antitumor therapy
Pieter Schol, Msc, PhD candidate, KWF working society-Dutch Tumor Immunology Meeting (KWF-DTIM) 

8:35 a.m.

Baseline systemic immune mediators and tumor microenvironment features associated with disease outcomes in colon cancer
João Scarini, PhD, Latin American and Caribbean Association for Immunology  (ALACI)   

8:45 a.m.

 RORγ bridges cancer-driven lipid dysmetabolism and myeloid immunosuppression
Augusto Bleve, PhD, Italian Network for Tumor Biotherapy (NIBIT) 
8:55 a.m. HLA-DR+IGF1R+ Tumor Associated Neutrophils: a “Trap” for  Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment  
Wenting Liu MD, Chinese Society for Immunology (CSI), Tumor Immunotherapy and Biological Therapy (TIBT) 
9:05 a.m.

Genetic and environmental determinants of the tumour immune microenvironment in Malaysian breast cancer
Jia Wern Pan, PhD, Malaysian Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (MSBMB)
9:15 a.m. Panel Discussion 

Session II: Advanced Immunotherapies: Novel Targets, Strategies, and Enhancement Engineering

9:50 a.m. Introduction
Cheng Sun, MD, PhD – University of Science and Technology of China   
9:55 a.m. Epigenetic and signaling-based engineering enhances CAR-T cell function in primary central nervous system lymphoma
Jaime Fuentealba, PhD, French Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (FITC)
10:05 a.m. Exercise-induced microbiota metabolite enhances CD8 T cell antitumor immunity against ICI-resistant melanoma
Catherine Phelps, PhD candidate, Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 
10:15 a.m. Targeting CXCR1 Overcomes NK Cell Exhaustion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Yan Li, MD, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) 
10:25 a.m. Identification of ICOS/ICOSL co-expression in Sézary syndrome and their therapeutic targeting
Loubna Oumeslakht, PhD candidate, Moroccan Society of Immunology (SMI)  
10:35 a.m. Dual bispecific protein engager-armed T cells targeting FRα and PD-L1 enhance cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells

Piriya Luangwattananun, PhD, Thailand Hub of Talent for Cancer Immunotherapy (TTCI) 
10:45 a.m. Cytotoxic T cell expansion and tumor suppression through activation of CpG-ODN-induced neutrophils in mouse liver tumors

Chen-Yang Huang, MD, PhD, Taiwan Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (TSITC), Taiwan Oncology Society (TOS)  
10:55 a.m. Panel Discussion 

Session III: Translational Immuno-Oncology: Biomarkers and New Therapeutic Insights

11:30 a.m. Introduction
Rieneke van de Ven, PhD – Amsterdam University Medical Centers
11:35 a.m.

Post-transcriptional Modulation of Tapasin: Novel Mechanisms Driving Immune Escape, Metastasis and Tumor–Immune Cell Crosstalk in Melanoma
Yuan Wang, PhD candidate, Tumor Immunology Meets Oncology (TIMO)   
11:45 a.m. Treatment Patterns and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Resectable NSCLC Receiving Neoadjuvant Immunochemotherapy With or Without Adjuvant Immunotherapy: A Real-World Single-Center Study
Beung Chul Ahn, MD, PhD, Korean Society for Medical Oncology (KSMO) 
11:55 a.m. ROS1, RET, and BRAF V600E NSCLC Exhibit Immune-Favorable Features and Benefit from Chemo–Immunotherapy
Kailun Fei, MD, Chinese Society for Clinical Oncology (CSCO)
12:05 p.m. Fragmentomics analysis of plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients receiving immunotherapy
Guannan Kang, PhD, MD, Hong Kong Cancer Therapy Society (HKCTS)  
12:15 p.m.

Tracking Adaptation and Response to Targeted Therapies in EGFR-mutant Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Regina Hoo, PhD, Singapore Society of Oncology - Cancer Immunotherapy Consortium (SSO-CIC)  
12:25 p.m. Panel Discussion 

Conclusion & Award Ceremony 

12:45 p.m. Program Organizers 
Cheng Sun, MD, PhD – University of Science and Technology of China   
Rieneke van de Ven, PhD – Amsterdam University Medical Centers
Joe Yeong, MD, PhD – Singapore General Hospital

SITC Biotech Regulatory Roundtable

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 | 11 A.M.–2 p.m. ET | Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center – National Harbor Conference Rooms – National Harbor 10 – 11

Registration required, limited seating available

The SITC Biotech Regulatory Roundtable, taking place on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in National Harbor, MD, will convene leading experts from FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), along with key stakeholders from industry and biotech to discuss pressing topics in immuno-oncology drug development. The program will open with remarks on SITC’s Biotech Initiative and its mission to advance 100 novel IO agents in 10 years.

Key highlights include a fireside chat with Dr. Peter Marks and leadership from CDER followed by panels focused on guidance initiatives, parent-child INDs, regulatory flexibility, and CMC optimization. An additional panel will explore orphan and rare disease designations and pathways for rare disease drug development. After a working lunch, the agenda will shift to innovations in digital health, covering topics like digital pathology, biomarkers, and AI automation, with insights from academic, industry, and regulatory voices.

Designed for biotech innovators and IO stakeholders, this preconference event offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with current & former FDA representatives and thought leaders ahead of SITC 2025’s main program.

Schedule

11:00 – 11:05 a.m. Welcome
Gideon Blumenthal, MD – Merck
11:05 – 11:15 a.m. SITC Biotech Initiative: A Quest for 100 Novel IO Agents
Zhen Su, MD, MBA – Marengo Therapeutics
11:15 – 11:50 a.m. Fireside Chat & Q&A
Peter Marks, MD, PhD – Eli Lilly
11:50 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. Regulatory Initiatives & Guidance
Raj Puri, MD, PhD – Iovance
Jeff Allen, PhD – Friends of Cancer Research
Nicholas Richardson, DO, MPH, PhD – Precision for Medicine
12:25 – 1:20 p.m. Break (working lunch)
1:20 – 1:55 p.m.

Emerging Technologies & Innovations
Wim Vos, MSc, PhD – Radiomics.bio
Joe Yeong, PhD – Singapore General Hospital

Geoffrey Kim, MD – Pi Health

Alexandra Snyder, MD – Merck
1:55 – 2:00 p.m. Closing & Synthesis
Gideon Blumenthal, MD – Merck
Ke Liu, MD, PhD – Marengo Therapeutics

The New Frontier of IO Drug Development: Bispecifics, in vivo CAR T, and Novel Combinations

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 | 2–5:10 p.m. ET | Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center - Ballroom Level - Cherry Blossom Ballroom

View Industry Program Flyer

As part of the SITC Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs, the 2025 SITC Industry Program, “The New Frontier of IO Drug Development: Bispecifics, in vivo CAR T, and Novel Combinations” will bring together leaders in the pharmaceutical industry along with leaders in other facets of the immuno-oncology (IO) drug development community to discuss ongoing research and the advancement of novel  platforms. The program will feature leaders in academia, biotechnology, and industry addressing the latest strategies and promising clinical signals in the development of novel immuno-oncology platforms including bispecifics, in vivo CAR T cells, and novel IO combination therapies. Future outlooks, including manufacturing and regulatory aspects surrounding these new agents and combinations, will also be discussed, and panel discussions will provide opportunities for attendees to engage with the experts, learn about program/portfolio strategies and what success needs to look like. The 2025 SITC Industry program will provide attendees with a deep understanding of the clinical and scientific information around the newest modalities of cancer immunotherapy, better equipping them to develop and utilize cancer immunotherapy-based treatment strategies that are cost-efficient, safer, and more effective for large patient populations. 

Program Organizers

Jane Anne Healy, MD, PhD 
Merck 

Priti Hegde, PhD
Kite Pharma, Inc.

Holger Kissel, PhD
BioNTech SE

Alexandra Snyder, MD
Merck

Zhen Su, MD, MBA
Marengo Therapeutics

Target Audience

The target audience for this program is research and development professionals, business development professionals, and investors across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic sectors, as well as innovation/technology transfer officers at universities or cancer centers and regulators of the next generation of IO agents. Basic science, translational, and clinical investigators from academic institutions, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and regulatory agencies, including graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and allied health professionals involved in cancer research as well as pharmacists and payers, who wish to learn more about cancer immunology and immunotherapy and its incorporation into current (and future) effective cancer treatment.  

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants should be able to: 

  • Summarize recent clinical development of new modalities of cancer immunotherapies, specifically bispecific antibodies and in vivo CAR T cells  
  • Discuss ongoing preclinical and early clinical signals of new cancer immunotherapy modalities both as monotherapies and in the context of combination therapies and early disease settings
  • Address specific regulatory considerations when investigating these new modalities in clinical studies

Session I: Bispecifics

Moderator: Jane Anne Healy, MD, PhD – Merck

2:00 p.m. Introduction
Jane Anne Healy, MD, PhD – Merck
2:05 p.m. 

From Checkpoints to Crossroads: Why PD1-VEGF Bispecific Antibodies Can Win in Cancer  
Arati Rao, MD – Pfizer
2:25 p.m.  T cell Engagers Update: Lymphomas and a Bit on Solid Tumors 
Joshua Brody, MD –  Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
2:40 p.m. 

Overcome T cell Dysfunction with a Novel CD2 Costimulatory Trispecific T cell Engager
Haihui Lu, PhD –  Novartis
2:55 p.m. 

Panel Discussion, Q & A
Session I Speakers 

Session II: In vivo CAR Ts

Moderator: Priti Hegde, PhD – Kite Pharma, Inc.

3:10 p.m. 

Introduction 
Priti Hegde, PhD – Kite Pharma, Inc.
3:15 p.m.  In Vivo CAR-T Cell Therapy with Engineered Lentiviral Vectors: From Concept to Clinic
Philippe Parone, PhD – EsoBiotec
3:30 p.m. 

RNA-based in vivo Reprogramming of the Immune System
Adrian Bot, MD, PhD – Ex-Capstan Therapeutics
3:45 p.m. 

Manufacturing and Regulatory Considerations for In Vivo CAR T Products
Tim Culp, PhD – Interius BioTherapeutics

Session III: Next Wave IO Drug Development

Moderator: Alexandra Snyder, MD – Merck

4:00 p.m. 

Introduction 
Alexandra Snyder, MD – Merck
4:05 p.m. 

What Will it Take to (RE-)Warm Investors to IO
Daina Graybosch, PhD – Leerink Partners
4:25 p.m.

Unleashing Immunity in Early Stage Disease
Djuro Karanovic, MD – AstraZeneca
4:40 p.m. 

Cancer Vaccines – Next Generation of Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy
Holger Kissel, PhD – BioNTech SE
4:55 p.m.

Panel Discussion, Q & A
Session III Speakers 
5:10 p.m.

Closing Remarks
Alexandra Snyder, MD – Merck

Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

Pre-Conference Programs   |   Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center    |   8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

We are still finalizing the schedule for our Pre-Conference Programs. Additional registration is required for Pre-Conference Programs.

Times and program schedules subject to change.

Primer on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy™

Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 | 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m. ET | Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center - Ballroom Level - Maryland Ballroom AB

View Primer Flyer

The field of cancer immunology and immunotherapy has driven novel therapeutic options for cancer patients. However, the complexity of the field continues to grow, thus, the SITC Primer on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy™ is designed to provide a foundation for understanding core immunology principles as they relate to basic and clinical research in immunotherapy of cancer. The Primer on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy™ will also touch on emerging therapies and technologies to ensure attendees at all levels stay updated in our expanding field, while also laying a comprehensive foundational base for all SITC attendees. 

Program Organizers

Andrea Schietinger, PhD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Eric L. Smith, MD, PhD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Target Audience

The target audience for this annual, one-day educational program includes students, postdoctoral fellows and technicians from academia and industry, as well as physicians and scientists at more senior levels who wish to solidify their understanding of cancer immunology and immunotherapy, pharmacists and registered nurses. Patient advocates are also welcome to attend and learn basic concepts within the field.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Describe the key principles of cancer immunology and immunotherapy in the context of the cancer immunity cycle
  • Review current approaches to immunotherapy including immune checkpoint blockade, vaccines, CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cells, activation of myeloid cells, modulation of tumor metabolism, T/NK cell adoptive transfer and T cell bispecific therapies
  • Outline immune monitoring techniques as well as biomarker strategies and their role in trial design and patient selection
  • Enhance scientific exchange with colleagues and collaborators on research and application of cancer immunotherapies to improve outcomes of patients with cancer

Continuing Education

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) is pleased to offer opportunities for physicians, nurses and pharmacists to obtain continuing education (CME, CNE, CPE) and ABIM MOC credits for their participation in the sessions I and II of the Primer on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy™ program.

Session I: Adaptive and Innate Immunity to Cancer - Part I

Moderator: Andrea Schietinger, PhD – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 

8:00 a.m. 

Introduction
Andrea Schietinger, PhD – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 
8:05 a.m. Adaptive Immune Response to Cancer
Ana Anderson, PhD – Harvard Medical School 
8:30 a.m.

CD8 T Cell Differentiation and Dysfunction in Cancer
Mary Philip, MD, PhD – Vanderbilt University Medical Center 
8:55 a.m. Innate Lymphoid (NK) cells and Innate Immune Signaling in Anti-tumor Immune Responses    
David H. Raulet, PhD – University of California, Berkeley
9:20 a.m. The Role of Dendritic Cells in Cancer 
Niroshana Anandasabapathy, MD, PhD – Weill Cornell Medicine 
9:45 a.m.

Tumor-Infiltrating B cells and Their Antibodies in Cancer  
Bradley Nelson, PhD – BC Cancer - Deeley Research Centre
10:10 a.m.

Panel Discussion
10:20 a.m.  Break

Session II: Adaptive and Innate Immunity to Cancer - Part II

Moderator: Andrea Schietinger, PhD – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 

10:35 a.m. Harnessing CD4 T cell Subsets in Anti-tumor Immunity
Chrystal M. Paulos, PhD – Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University 
11:00 a.m. T cell Mitochondrial Stress in Exhaustion and Immunotherapy 
Jeffrey C. Rathmell, PhD – The University of Chicago 
11:25 a.m. Modulation of Immunity with Vaccines and Oncolytic Viruses  
Dmitriy Zamarin, MD, PhD – Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
11:50 a.m.

Decoding Human Tumor Evolution and Micro-environment via Novel Spatial Multi-Omics 
Rong Fan, PhD – Yale University
12:15 p.m. 

Lunch 

Session III: Effector Cell Redirection Therapy 

Moderator: Eric L. Smith, MD, PhD – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

1:45 p.m. Introduction
Eric L. Smith, MD, PhD – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 
1:50 p.m. Update on CAR-T cell Therapies 
Carl H. June, MD – University of Pennsylvania 
2:10 p.m. The Role of CAR NK and NK Cell Engagers in Cancer Immunotherapy
May Daher, MD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center 
2:30 p.m. 
 Panel Discussion 
2:40 p.m.
In vivo Engineering 
Stephen J. Russell, MD, PhD – Vyriad, Inc.
3:00 p.m.

Modulating the Tumor Microenvironment with T Cell Bispecifics
Sumit K. Subudhi, MD, PhD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center 
3:20 p.m. 

Panel Discussion
Session III Speakers  
3:30 p.m. Break

Session IV: Modulating Endogenous T cell Responses 

Moderator: Eric L. Smith, MD, PhD – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

3:45 p.m. Immune Checkpoint Therapy in Cancer
Gordon J. Freeman, PhD, FAIO – Dana Farber Cancer Institute 
4:05 p.m. Personalized Neoantigen-targeting Cancer Vaccines: Updates and Encouraging Results  
Catherine J. Wu, MD – Dana– Farber Cancer Institute
4:25 p.m. Myeloid Targeted Therapies in Cancer
Miriam Merad, MD, PhD, FAIO – Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
4:45 p.m. 

Panel Discussion 
5:05 p.m.

Closing Remarks 
Eric L. Smith, MD, PhD – Dana–Farber Cancer Institute 

Leveraging the Power of Artificial Intelligence to Foster Progress in Immuno-oncology: Opportunities and Challenges

Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 | 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. ET | Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center - Ballroom Level - Maryland Ballroom CD

View Workshop Flyer

This Workshop will explore the recent advances in cancer immunology and artificial intelligence (AI), and how these fields can converge to effectively address current hurdles in immuno-oncology (IO). The Workshop will educate the IO community on opportunities to utilize AI to develop new cancer immunotherapies and improve patient care, encourage collaboration across IO and AI specialties, and present cutting-edge science on the use of AI in IO research. Armed with a deeper understanding of artificial intelligence in the context of immuno-oncology, attendees will be equipped to effectively collaborate to identify novel therapeutic targets, to engineer and design more effective therapeutics and personalized treatment regimens in immuno-oncology, and to develop effective tools for patient stratification and tracking response or resistance to therapy, potentially impacting clinical care and leading to better patient outcomes.

Program Organizers

Carlo B. Bifulco, MD
Providence Genomics

Sandra Demaria, MD
Weill Cornell Medicine

Charalampos Floudas, MD DMSc MS
National Cancer Institute

Target Audience

The target audience for this workshop includes artificial intelligence specialists, computational biologists, basic, translational and clinical researchers from all work settings, as well as industry and government representatives.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

    • Describe key or critical issues in IO that can be addressed by collaborative approaches between experts in AI and immuno-oncologists
    • Detail AI-based approaches to identify biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets or analyze the tumor microenvironment
    • Analyze cutting-edge basic, translational, and clinical analyses of AI and IO to incorporate new research and techniques into clinical applications for cancer immunotherapy

    Introduction

    8:30 a.m.

    Introduction 
    Sandra Demaria, MD — Weill Cornell Medicine

    Keynote

    8:35 a.m.

    A Post-Data World - LLMs and the End of Data Paralysis
    Garry P. Nolan, PhD – Stanford University

    Session I: AI in Pathology 

    Moderator: Carlo B. Bifulco, MD – Providence Genomics

    9:15 a.m. TBD
    Faisal Mahmood, PhD – Harvard Medical School
    9:35 a.m. Modeling the Breast Cancer Tumor Microenvironment from Hematoxylin and Eosin Slides
    Lee A. Cooper, PhD – Northwestern University
    9:55 a.m. Connecting the TME to Therapy via AI Analysis of Histology  
    Siraj Ali, MD, PhD – Lunit Inc. 
    10:15 a.m. Panel Discussion
    Session I Speakers and S. Chakra Chennubhotla – PredxBio
    10:45 a.m. Break 

    Session II: AI in Synthetic Biology: From the Cell to the Organism

    Moderator: Sandra Demaria, MD — Weill Cornell Medicine

    11:00 a.m. AI-based Structural Modeling of TCRs and Their Targets    
    Dinler Antunes, DSc – University of Houston
    11:20 a.m.

    Simulating Virtual Cells in Human Tissue to Predict Treatment Outcomes: Use Cases Enabled by Multimodal Foundation Models
    Eshed Margalit, PhD – Noetik, Inc.
    11:40 a.m. Multimodal Generative AI for Precision Health 
    Hoifung Poon, PhD – Microsoft 
    12:00 p.m.

    Panel Discussion
    Session II Speakers 
    12:15 p.m. Lunch 

    Session III: AI in Multiomics Spatial Biology 

    Moderator: Carlo B. Bifulco, MD – Providence Genomics

    1:45 p.m. Spatial Oncology: Understanding the Tumour Microenvironment One-cell, One-niche and One-functional Unit at a Time  
    Arutha Kulasinghe, PhD – University of Queensland
    2:05 p.m. Forecasting Immunotherapy Response for Virtual Clinical Trials
    Elana J. Fertig, PhD, FAIMBE – University of Maryland, Baltimore
    2:25 p.m.

    Applying Spatial Omics for Characterizing the Tumor Microenvironment
    Jasmine Plummer, PhD – St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
    2:45 p.m.

    Panel Discussion
    Session III Speakers  
    3:00 p.m. Break 

    Session IV: Applications of AI Tools in Immuno-oncology 

    Moderator: Sandra Demaria, MD – Weill Cornell Medicine 

    3:15 p.m.

    Multimodal Radiomics and Pathomics for Predicting Response to Immunotherapy 
    Anant Madabhushi, PhD – Emory University
     3:35 p.m.

    HookNet-TLS: a Multiresolution Model for the Detection of Lymphoid Aggregates in Histology Images
    Karina Silina, PhD – ETH Zürich
     3:55 p.m.

    Opportunities and Challenges for Exploring Mechanism and Biomarkers
    Meng Xiao He, PhD – Genentech
    4:15 p.m. 

    Charting the Future: Severe irAEs as a Model for LLM-Powered Retrospective Research 
    Kerry L. Reynolds, MD – Massachusetts General Hospital
    4:35 p.m. 

    Panel Discussion
    Session IV Speakers  
    4:55 p.m. 

    Closing Remarks
    Carlo B. Bifulco, MD — Providence Genomics

    Meet-the-Expert Lunch

    Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 | 12:15–1:45 p.m. ET | Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center - Ballroom Level - Chesapeake 1-6

    The Meet-the-Expert Lunch will focus on unique issues related to early career scientist career development and will provide attendees the opportunity to interact with experts in key areas of immunotherapy. The Meet-the-Expert Lunch will address different relevant topics in a setting that fosters attendee/expert interactions and provides networking opportunities with leaders in the field. Experts will answer questions and lead informal dialogue to help provide guidance and career advancement advice. Lunch will be provided to all participants. 

    Program Organizers

    Allison Betof, MD, PhD
    Stanford University School of Medicine

    Praveen K. Bommareddy, PhD
    Replimune Inc.

    Kristin DePeaux, PhD
    Princeton University

    Robyn Gartrell, MD, MS
    Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

    Abdul Rafeh Naqash, MD
    Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma University

    Nicole E. Scharping, PhD
    University of California, San Diego 

    Target Audience

    The audience for the Meet-the-Expert Lunch includes graduate, medical, and post-baccalaureate students; clinical fellows; post-doctoral fellows; tenure-track investigators, government employees, and scientists in general; and industry/pharma scientists and employees. Space for this event is limited and priority will be given to early career scientists.

    Learning Objectives

    At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

    • Address most of their open questions and concerns on the selected topic
    • Make informed decisions about their career development and research projects 
    • Establish connections with experts in their field of interest

    Table Topics

    Ballroom Level – Chesapeake 1–3

    MTEL 1: Bioinformatics, Big Data, and AI (Table 1)
    Riyue Bao, PhD – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
    Elana Fertig, PhD, FAIMBE – University of Maryland, Baltimore

    MTEL 2: Career Paths for Physician Scientists
    Tina Cascone, MD, PhD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
    Bertrand Routy, MD, PhD – University of Montreal (CHUM)

    MTEL 3: Careers Outside Academia and Industry – Careers in Policy, Advocacy and Non-Profit Organizations (Table 1)
    John E. Connolly, PhD – Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy
    Joan Levy, PhD – Melanoma Research Alliance

    MTEL 4: Collaborating with Industry (Table 1)
    Zachary Cooper, PhD – AstraZeneca
    Ryan Sullivan, MD – Harvard Medical School

    MTEL 5: Leadership Opportunities in Immuno-oncology (Academics and Industry)
    Kristin G. Anderson, PhD – University of Virginia
    Christian M. Capitini, MD – University of Wisconsin – Madison

    MTEL 6: Careers Outside Academia and Industry – Careers in Policy, Advocacy and Non-Profit Organizations (Table 2)
    Samantha R. Guild, JD – AIM at Melanoma
    Christine Spencer, PhD – Rare Cancer Research Foundation

    MTEL 7: How to Navigate the Graduate Student to Postdoc Transition
    Filippo Pederzoli, MD, PhD – Weill Cornell Medicine
    Nicole Scharping, PhD – University of California, San Diego

    MTEL 8: How to Navigate the Postdoc to PI Transition (Table 1)
    Anna-Maria Globig, MD – Allen Institute for Immunology
    Hakimeh Ebrahimi Nik, PhD – The Ohio State University

    Ballroom Level – Chesapeake 4–6 

    MTEL: 9: Industry: Building Your Career in Industry (Big Pharma) (Table 1)
    Kristen M. Hege, MD – Board Member: Mersana, Adaptimmune, Kelonia, KSQ and EvolveImmune
    Ashley K. Koegel, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb

    MTEL 10: Industry: Building Your Career in Industry (Big Pharma) (Table 2)
    Kimberly Shafer-Weaver, PhD, MBA – Merck & Co.
    Sarah Warren, PhD – Gilead Sciences

    MTEL 11: Industry: Building Your Career in Industry (Startup and Midsize Pharma)
    Praveen K. Bommareddy, PhD, MS, BPharm – Replimune Inc.
    Joseph Elassal, MD – Ankyra Therapeutics

    MTEL 12: Collaborating with Industry (Table 2)
    Greg Delgoffe, PhD – University of Pittsburgh
    Claire Vanpouille-Box, PhD – Weill Cornell Medicine

    MTEL 13: Navigating Early Career in Academia (as MD or PhD)
    Robyn Gartrell, MD, MS – Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
    Abigail E. Overacre-Delgoffe, PhD – University of Pittsburgh

    MTEL 14: Setting Up a Successful Biotech (Midsize Pharma and Small Startups)
    John Mumm, PhD – Deka Biosciences
    Swamy K. Tripurani, PhD – National Cancer Institute/Small Business Innovation Research Development Center

    MTEL 15: Translational Research: Human Samples to Lab and Back to the Clinic
    Saman Maleki, PhD – Western University
    Marco Ruella, MD – University of Pennsylvania

    MTEL 16: Translational Research: Mice to Humans
    Miriam Merad, MD, PhD – Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
    Ravi Patel, MD, PhD – University of Pittsburgh

    MTEL 17: Bioinformatics, Big Data, and AI (Table 2)
    Petr Jordan, PhD – Onc.AI
    Joe Yeong, MD, PhD – Singapore General Hospital

    MTEL 18: How to Navigate the Postdoc to PI Transition (Table 2)
    Yu L. Lei, PhD, DDS – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
    Golnaz Morad, PhD, DDS – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

    Grant Writing Workshop

    Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 | 5:45–8 p.m. ET | Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center - Ballroom Level - Cherry Blossom Ballroom

    This program will feature two sessions. The first session opens with getting a grant from the NIH, followed by overviews of grant opportunities with industry as well as foundations, strategies for grant writing, statistical considerations for effective grant proposal writing and it concludes with a patient advocate panel. The second session (in-person only) will consist of breakout question and answer sessions on various types of grants. In-person attendees will be able to select the table they would like to sit in on for discussion. 

    Program Organizers

    Zachary A. Cooper, PhD
    AstraZeneca

    Ardit Feinaj, MD
    Johns Hopkins University

    Kanika Jain, PhD
    Ankyra Therapeutics

    Geoffrey J. Markowitz, PhD
    Weill Cornell Medicine

    Daniel Michaud, PhD
    Brigham & Women's Hospital

    Abigail E. Overacre-Delgoffe, PhD
    University of Pittsburgh

    Quaovi Sodji, MD, PhD
    University of Wisconsin-Madison

    Learning Objectives

    At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to: 

    • Identify different funding sources, and how funding opportunities differ based on source
    • Identify critical strengths and fatal flaws of a grant proposal, including techniques and statistical considerations
    • Incorporate patient advocate perspectives and recommendations in research and funding proposals
    • Discuss appropriate career stage-related funding mechanisms

    Target Audience

    The target audience for this educational program includes graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior to midlevel faculty, which encompasses instructors and assistant professors who wish to solidify their understanding of grant writing.

    Session I 

    Moderator: Abigail E. Overacre-Delgoffe, PhD – University of Pittsburgh

    Attendees get food. Program will begin promptly at 6 p.m.
     

    Introduction
    Abigail E. Overacre-Delgoffe, PhD – University of Pittsburgh 
    6:00 p.m. Getting a Grant from the NIH
    Lillian Kuo, PhD – National Cancer Institute (NCI) 
    6:15 p.m.  Establishing and Retaining Funding with Industry Partners  
    Greg M. Delgoffe, PhD – University of Pittsburgh 
    6:25 p.m. 

    Assembling a Successful Grant Application for Foundations 
    Tullia C. Bruno, PhD – University of Pittsburgh
    6:35 p.m. 

    Grant Writing Strategies to Support your Research
    Daniel J. Powell, Jr., – University of Pennsylvania
    6:45 p.m. 

    Effective Grant Proposal Writing and Avoiding Common Pitfalls
    Christian M. Capitini, MD – University of Wisconsin-Madison
    6:55 p.m. 

    Question and Answer 
    7:00 p.m. 

    The Importance of the Patient Advocate Perspective in Research and How to Effectively Connect with Advocates
    Kristin G. Anderson, PhD – University of Virginia 

    Panel: 
    Laura A. Logie, MD, PhD – Nueva Vida
    Claire Saxton, MBA – Cancer Support Community
    7:20 p.m.  Question and Answer 

    Session II

    7:25 p.m. 

    Question and Answer Breakout Tables (Various Types of Grants) 

    Career Development Awards (K Awards, K99/R00 Grants, Late Postdocs) 
    Nicole E. Scharping, PhD – University of California, San Diego 

    F Grants and T Grants for Predoctoral/Medical Students and Early Postdocs 
    Daniel Michaud, PhD – Brigham & Women's Hospital

    Foundation Grants  
    Kristin G. Anderson, PhD – University of Virginia

    Grants for Physician Scientists  
    Allison Betof , MD, PhD – Stanford University School of Medicine 

    Grant Opportunities for non-US Attendees (K99, Society Grants, European-based Opportunities)  
    Saman Maleki, PhD – Western University 

    Interfacing with Industry (Biotech Grants)  
    Zachary A. Cooper, PhD – AstraZeneca 

    Low-preliminary Data Grants (DP5, R21, High Risk/High Reward Grants)  
    Abigail E. Overacre-Delgoffe, PhD – University of Pittsburgh

    Transition from Mentored to Independent Grants (Getting Your First R01)
    Alex M. Jaeger, PhD – Moffitt Cancer Center
    Chrystal M. Paulos, PhD – Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University

    From Lab to Market: Small Business Grants from NCI for Academic Scientists (R41/42, R43/44)
    Melissa Li, PhD – National Cancer Institute/Small Business Innovation Research Development Center
    Swamy K. Tripurani, PhD – National Cancer Institute/Small Business Innovation Research Development Center 
    7:55 p.m. 

    Closing Remarks
    Kanika Jain, PhD – Ankyra Therapeutics

    Leading with Authenticity: Networking and Mentorship That Inspires Inclusion

    Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 | 7:45–8:15 p.m. ET | Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center - National Harbor Conference Rooms – National Harbor 10 and 11

    No registration required

    The panel will explore conversation starters for attendees to maximize their time with mentors during the ECS Speed Mentoring Event program. The panel will be moderated by John L’Ecuyer, Executive Director of Business Development with Putnam Inizio Advisory and founding member of OUTbio, a non-profit dedicated to empowering the LGBTQ community and its allies in the life sciences and affiliated industries. Mr. L’Ecuyer will focus the discussion broadly on conversation starters with new mentors and focus on strategies for supporting a diverse workforce in biotech and life sciences.

    Program Faculty

    Charlie Garnett-Benson, PhD
    Bristol Myers Squibb

    Thomas Marron MD, PhD
    Mount Sinai Hospital

    Catherine Wu, MD
    Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

    Early Career Scientist Speed Mentoring Event

    Explore the Event >

    Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 | 8:30–9:30 p.m. ET | Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center - Ballroom Level - Potomac 1-6

    SITC membership is required for participation in the ECS Speed Mentoring event. For additional questions, please contact education@sitcancer.org.

    Speed Mentoring Event Hosted by SITC’s Early Career Scientist Committee, this event provides the opportunity to receive mentorship from an expert in the field of cancer immunotherapy in a one-on-one setting. Mentees will be matched with two expert mentors, for 22-minute discussions each, in one of the following five categories: basic/translational academia, clinician scientists academia, industry: research and development/translational, industry: non-lab-based, and start-up and biotech.

    Target Audience

    The audience for the ECS Speed Mentoring Event includes Students and Scientists-in-Training who are seeking one-on-one career mentorship from experts in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Clinical fellows and clinical residents are also welcome to apply for this event. All mentees should be prior to assistant professorship. SITC membership is required for participation in the ECS Speed Mentoring event. Click here to become a member.

    Program Organizers

    Aitziber Buque Martinez, PhD
    Fox Chase Cancer Center

    Sarah Gitto, PhD
    University of Pennsylvania

    Adam Grippin, MD, PhD
    The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

    Ashley Koegel, MD
    Bristol Myers Squibb

    Golnaz Morad, DDS, PhD
    The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

    Filippo Pederzoli, MD, PhD
    Weill Cornell Medicine

    Young Seok Cho, PhD, Pharm D
    University of Michigan

    Yapeng Su, PhD
    Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center

    Aleksei Tikhonov, PhD
    Gustave Roussy

    Early Career Scientist Networking Reception

    Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 | 9:30–11 p.m. ET | Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center - Ballroom Level - Potomac Ballroom Pre-Function

    SITC membership is required for participation in the ECS Networking Reception. For additional questions, please contact our Education Team.

    This event, hosted by the Early Career Scientist Committee, will allow all early career scientist attendees to meet colleagues and make early connections that can be fostered throughout the rest of the conference. Join us to learn about the yearly activities of the Early Career Scientist Committee, the society’s year-round commitment to young investigators, and how you can get involved.