Fighting Illini. Fighting Cancer.
The Cancer Center at Illinois harnesses the combined power of engineering and basic sciences to transform cancer research, detection, and treatment—bringing hope to patients worldwide.
We are the Fighting Illini, and we are fighting cancer.
Latest in Cancer Research
Improving Patient Testing
New technology from Illinois researchers can rapidly detect cancer biomarkers, allowing doctors to quickly identify whether a patient’s cancer is aggressive or if a cancer treatment is effective.
Cousins Tackling Glioblastoma
Researchers who lost their grandfather to glioblastoma are committed to finding better ways to treat the disease and improve survival rates.
Slowing or Stopping Tumor Growth
A team of researchers identified a protein that can potentially stop or slow certain cells from suppressing the immune system, paving the way for improved breast cancer therapies.
Healing Patients after Surgery
New wound healing technology from the Cancer Center at Illinois could help post-surgical cancer patients recover more quickly.
Why Our Researchers Study Cancer
Every journey to cancer research begins with a story. Watch below to learn some of the stories behind the science in Cancer Center at Illinois member labs.
Brian Cunningham
Zeynep Madak-Erdogan
Michael Robben
The Next Generation
The Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) offers transformative learning experiences that embolden students to lead lives of impact. Our programs mentor future cancer scientists through unique research experiences, enabling personal development and building practical skills.
Where Are They Now?
Qianying Zuo
Qianying Zuo worked closely with CCIL researcher Zeynep Madak-Erdogan. She is now a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton University, studying interventions to complement existing cancer therapies.
Where Are They Now?
Ege Gungor Onal
Ege Gungor Onal is an alumnus of the Cancer Scholars Program and co-founded the CCIL Student Organization. He’s now an M.D./Ph.D. student at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
Your Support Makes a Difference
A recent gift from the Groch family will support undergraduate scholarships within the CCIL. The Jonathan P. Groch Cancer Center at Illinois Scholarship aims to support students who are focused on research that delivers innovative patient care and minimizes invasive procedures to lower patient risk, enhance outcomes, and improve quality of life during treatment.
“Overall, the work being done at the CCIL resonates deeply with us—offering hope, honoring my dad’s memory, and reinforcing our commitment to advancing cancer research.”
— Renee Groch, Jonathan’s daughter
The Groch family. From left to right: Jonathan Jr., Cameron, Nancy, Jon Sr., and Renee. Not pictured: Gemma.
The “Ira R. and Debra J. Cohen Cancer Center at Illinois Scholarship Fund” and the “Ira R. and Debra J. Cohen Cancer Center at Illinois Research Fund” help cancer scholars with financial needs and cancer researchers seeking funding for novel pilot studies.
Donations from the Illini 4000 help support cancer research and student growth at the CCIL. Recently, funds have supported:
- A graduate research assistant who is working on the Cancer Voices storytelling project.
- A CCIL Graduate Cancer Scholarship Program recipient who is advancing cancer imaging techniques.
- Submission fees for several students presenting research at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting.