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Keywords: membership
More than a career, cancer research is a calling, and the Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) is home to over 100 engineers and scientists who are answering this call. Becoming a CCIL member means joining a team dedicated to one of humanity’s greatest challenges: defeating cancer.
For faculty who actively contribute to this cause, CCIL membership is an opportunity to deepen this commitment and strengthen research collaborations. The application process is designed to capture details about research, publications, and involvement in local or national cancer education and training initiatives. From there, a CCIL administration team reviews each applicant’s background to ensure alignment with CCIL’s guidelines.
As a part of this community of innovators, members gain access to shared resources that empower their research as well as help them connect with others equally committed to solving cancer problems. The membership is designed to divide the load and multiply the impact, offering everything from event support to mentoring and networking. Being part of CCIL membership means knowing your work matters, and that you’re part of a legacy of hope and progress in cancer research.
If this is the next right step in your research career, learn more here.
The CCIL is excited to introduce six new members whose innovative research and approaches promise to open new doors in the fight against cancer.
These new members are set to expand the frontiers of cancer research, bringing unique talents and insights to tackle some of the most pressing medical challenges of our time. In collaboration with the vibrant CCIL community, their work promises to open new possibilities for patient care and scientific discovery in the fight against cancer.
David Forsyth
Fulton Watson Copp Chair, Computer Science
Forsyth is at the forefront of research in computer vision, computer graphics, and machine learning. His work explores how computers can interpret and generate complex visual data, equipping machines to “see” and understand the world in ways that support breakthroughs in cancer research. By enhancing medical imaging and enabling advanced diagnostic tools, David’s research will be focused on shaping the future of technology at the CCIL, bridging the gap between human insight and machine precision.
Learn more about David Forsyth’s research here.
Zaida Luthey-Schulten
Murchison-Mallory Endowed Chair, Chemistry
Blending expertise in physics and biology, Luthey-Schulten has developed a unique 4D approach to mapping cellular dynamics, capturing changes in cells across time and space. Her simulations bring these interactions to life, making it easier to understand the complex inner workings of cells. Her work also extends to the virtual world of Minecraft, where users can “walk through” cells and explore biological structures in real time.
Learn more about Zaida Luthey-Schulten’s research here.
Marina Marjanovic
Research Professor, Bioengineering
With a distinguished background in cancer imaging, Marjanovic joins the CCIL with a mission to advance the speed and accuracy of cancer diagnosis, aiming to ease the mental and financial burdens faced by patients. She envisions a future where early and precise cancer detection is possible without invasive procedures, drawing on the high-resolution optical methods she has been refining for over a decade.
Learn more about Marina Marjanovic’s research here.
Wilfred van der Donk
Richard E. Heckert Endowed Chair in Chemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator
Renowned for his work in biochemistry, van der Donk explores natural antibiotic compounds with the potential to transform cancer treatment. His research at the CCIL focuses on harnessing microbial peptides to develop new, targeted therapies that can combat cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue.
Learn more about Wilfred van der Donk’s research here.
Xing Wang
Research Associate Professor, Bioengineering, Research Associate Professor, Chemistry
Driven by a passion for improving cancer diagnostics, Xing joins the CCIL to pioneer rapid, non-invasive testing methods that bypass traditional enzymatic amplification. His work promises to reduce the waiting period for diagnosis and treatment updates, potentially transforming patient care.
Learn more about Xing Wang’s research here.
Huimin Zhao
Steven L. Miller Chair, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Zhao is a leader in synthetic biology and bioengineering. Focusing on synthetic biology, machine learning, and laboratory automation, his work aims to engineer novel proteins and pathways that drive advancements in biotechnology and medicine. Guided early in his career by Nobel Laureate Frances Arnold, Huimin has authored over 340 publications and secured numerous patents, laying a strong foundation for the development of next-generation cancer treatments.
Learn more about Huimin Zhao’s research here.
Editor’s note:
This story was written by Hammad Rehman, CCIL Communications intern.