CCIL Working Groups

Cancer & Microbes

The CCIL and the Illinois Microbial Systems Initiative formed a new partnership to promote enhanced collaboration at the interface of microbial sciences and cancer. The group conducts symposia, invites speakers, and promotes new ideas such as engineering microbial delivery systems for cancer drugs.

• Research Program: Cancer Engineering & Biological Systems | Cancer Technology and Data Science
• Established: 2021

Faculty Leaders

Shannon Sirk
Assistant Professor, Engineering

Cancer Digital Insights

This working group harnesses the emerging revolution in AI for cancer research rather than clinically deployable software; a strategic decision was made to focus on computational methods that would provide novel biological or physical insights using unique data sets generated by members. In collaboration with the NCSA, this working group will build research capacity.

• Research Program: Cancer Technology and Data Science
• Established: 2024

Faculty Leaders

William Gropp
Director, National Center for Supercomputing Applications

Environmental Effects and Cancer: Cancer Toxicology of PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that are used in many consumer products and industrial processes. They are also known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down easily in the environment. This group explores PFAS and the varied toxic effects it has on human health.

• Research Program: Cancer Engineering & Biological Systems
• Established: 2019

Faculty Leader

Extracellular Vesicle Imaging & Therapy

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent an important mechanism for intercellular communication, yet our understanding of the biosynthesis, detection, and characterization of EVs continues to emerge. The mission of the EVIT Working Group is to bring together our university community focused on the investigation of EVs in the context of both health and disease.

• Research Program: Cancer Technology and Data Science
• Established: 2023

Faculty Leaders

Marni Boppart
Professor, Kinesiology and Community Health

Mechanochemical Dynamic Therapy

This working group integrates fundamental understanding of mechanically induced selective ring opening in polymers was with high-frequency ultrasound as a non-invasive cancer treatment platform for cancer.

• Research Program: Cancer Technology and Data Science
• Established: 2023

Faculty Leader

Organoid Group

This group explores organoid usage with cancer research. It is establishing tools and processes to archive organoids and train others in their use.

• Research Program: Cancer Engineering & Biological Systems
• Established: 2023

Faculty Leader

Pets to People

This group is enabled by comparative tumor oncology and genomics through the inclusion of companion animals (dogs and cats) with cancer.

• Research Program: Cancer Engineering & Biological Systems
• Established: 2016

Faculty Leaders

Paul Hergenrother
Deputy Director, Cancer Center at Illinois

Robotics & Interoperative Assessment

Robotics and interoperative assessement has shown the potential to produece less trauma to tissue, reduce pain and increase recovery time; has better cosmetic results; provides for shorter hospital stays; and has increased accuracy. This group is exploring the benefits and usage robotic surgery and their applications for patients. 

• Research Program: Cancer Technology and Data Science
• Established: 2020

Faculty Leader

Tumor Immunology

This group is investigating whether peripheral virus infection alters the migration of T cells into bone marrow and explores these factors in a controlled setting, using a 3-dimensional tissue culture system with defined cellular constituents.

• Research Program: Cancer Engineering & Biological Systems
• Established: 2022

Faculty Leaders

Erik Nelson
Research Program Leader, Cancer Center at Illinois

Contact

For more information about CCIL working groups contact CCIL Program Manager Angela Slates at slates@illinois.edu.