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.
New Athletics Partnership Supports Cancer Research
Every Field Goal Will Support Cancer Research at Illinois
Cancer Center at Illinois branding debuts on the north end field goal net as a new partnership with Illinois Athletics and Jimmy John’s® kicks off.
A new north end field goal net debuted at the 2026 Fighting Illini football home opener, and every kick through the uprights is helping fund cancer research at Illinois.
The net now carries the Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) logo, marking the first branded field goal net in Gies Memorial Stadium’s 100-plus-year history. This is the first piece of a multi-year initiative with Illinois Athletics, putting the center’s work in front of one of the largest audiences on campus.
Under this partnership, Illinois-founded Jimmy John’s will also donate to cancer research at the CCIL for every extra point and successful field goal from Illinois at home games, with similar initiatives planned for volleyball and winter and spring sports.
A Nationally Designated Cancer Institute
In spring 2026, the Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) was designated as a Basic Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Of 74 NCI-designated cancer centers nationwide, CCIL is only the eighth center recognized as a Basic Cancer Center, and the only one in Illinois, highlighting the university’s leadership in interdisciplinary cancer research.
As a Basic Cancer Center, we are training a new generation of scientists to use cutting-edge topics such as AI, deepening collaborations with clinical centers, and contributing innovative, paradigm-changing research that seeks to help people overcome cancer.”
— Rohit Bhargava, Phillip and Ann Sharp Director, Cancer Center at Illinois
Advances in Cancer Research
Liver Cancer Breakthrough
Liver metastases are one of the most common sites of cancer spread, and the survival rates are very low. However, researchers have identified a new promising target which could lead to new treatment strategies, such as combining existing drugs with dietary changes.
Advancements in Diagnostic Technology
Who doesn’t want cancer testing results at less cost, with greater speed and accuracy? CCIL innovators are among the pioneers of the emerging field of point-of-care (POC) diagnostic technology aiming to make this dream a reality.
Developing Personalized Medicine
Ovarian cancer poses a unique challenge for clinicians when trying to observe cancer cells’ behavior due to a process known as transcoelomic spread. Now, researchers have developed a 3D culture model that recreates the environment of the peritoneal cavity to more closely study how ovarian cancer spreads in the body.
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 Gift from Tai R. Shin
A cancer diagnosis changes everything. For Tai R. (Terry) Shin, his own experience and that of his late wife, You H. (Catherine) Shin, facing the disease, ignited a determination to do something about it. That determination is now the heart of a $6 million gift to advance cancer research across the University of Illinois System. Shin’s investment will fund a systemwide research award, a named chair at the Cancer Center at Illinois (Urbana), and a named directorship at the University of Illinois Cancer Center (Chicago).
“I will relentlessly do what I can to help in cancer research and clinical outcomes. I am sure the University of Illinois will come through, and I am very excited to be involved in supporting this effort.”
— Tai R. Shin
Ira R. and Debra J. Cohen Scholarship Fund
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.
Support from the Illini 4000
Illini 4000 donations support CCIL cancer research and student growth. Recently, funds supported a graduate research assistant working on Cancer Voices and a CCIL Graduate Cancer Scholarship Program recipient advancing cancer imaging techniques.
Jonathan P. Groch Scholarship
A gift from the Groch family will support undergraduate scholarships within the CCIL. The Jonathan P. Groch Cancer Center at Illinois Scholarship supports students focused on research that delivers innovative patient care and minimizes invasive procedures to reduce patient risk, improve outcomes, and enhance 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.
Join Us in the Fight Against Cancer
Your gift to the Cancer Center at Illinois ensures a sustainable future for life-saving cancer research at the University of Illinois. You make the difference. Click the button below to learn more.