Innovation Insider

Volume 6

Director’s Message

The Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) continues to forge ahead with a bold vision to change cancer as we know it. We have always aimed to solve cancer problems using our unique scientific and engineering approaches to benefit individuals, communities, and society. These benefits take many forms—knowledge, new technologies, novel drugs, and improved lives—but are all based in world-class research by our members, trainees, and dedicated collaborators, the hard work of our staff, and your support!

This issue of Innovation Insider provides snapshots of our progress. Cancer research is the first step to saving lives. Better knowledge of cancer allows us to find it sooner and treat it better. You will see various stages of research—some early, others closer to patients—but all reflecting the CCIL’s commitment to making ground-breaking discoveries and translating them into use. While you see glimpses of “Discovery to Use” across this report, I hope you are inspired by the high degree of innovation in the CCIL against cancer. I hope you can also appreciate the ingenuity, talent, and tireless work of our students and postdoctoral fellows in these fascinating nuggets of progress. I also hope you notice the emerging science we are bringing to bear on cancer.

The CCIL is at the leading edge in using artificial intelligence for cancer solutions, bringing in revolutionary ideas from industrial manufacturing to cancer. We are integrating the social fabric of our communities into cancer research. We are also developing unique educational programs that engage people in novel ways. Beginning in middle school and proceeding through every stage of the educational journey up through postdoctoral, faculty, and industry research, the CCIL is committed to being a national leader in preparing and empowering the next generation of cancer researchers.

We are all about the future—a future that is brighter, more hopeful, and less affected by cancer because of the work being done in the CCIL and cancer centers across the nation. The future of cancer research, treatments, the next generation of practitioners, and of our healthcare system can be changed if we continue to make progress. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the faculty members, students, fellows, staff, donors, community members, and stakeholders who help make the CCIL a truly exceptional cancer research contributor. This year is shaping up to be one of big changes. We are committed to making sure that the CCIL changes the landscape of cancer research and
cancer care for the better.

Rohit Bhargava

CCIL Director

To learn more about the stories in this issue of Innovation Insider, email us at cancercenter@illinois.edu.