Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Congratulations to the 2026 CanSUR cohort on an incredible summer!

This year, 39 outstanding undergraduate students were selected from more than 1,081 applicants to participate in the CanSUR (Cancer-focused Summer Undergraduate Research) program at the Case CCC.

Throughout the summer, students gained hands-on research experience while participating in weekly Lunch & Learn sessions covering topics across cancer research and career development. They also heard an inspiring perspective from a cancer survivor through The Gathering Place and collaborated on presentations exploring emerging topics in cancer research.

Beyond the lab, the cohort demonstrated a strong commitment to community engagement. Students volunteered at Black Family Cancer Awareness Day, supported residents at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge by organizing game nights and serving dinner, and introduced themselves to the Mount Sinai Health Foundation Board as they shared their experiences and aspirations.

The summer culminated with the CanSUR Research Symposium, where students presented the results of their research projects to faculty, mentors, peers, family, and friends.

Thank you to our dedicated faculty mentors, staff, and partners for making this transformative experience possible, and congratulations again to our 2026 CanSUR students. We can't wait to see where your careers in cancer research take you next!

Thank you to everyone who joined this year's Miles for Melanoma 5K!

Members of the Case CCC team were proud to participate in support of melanoma awareness, prevention, and research. It was a meaningful day connecting with our community and helping spread the message about sun safety.

A special thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to learn more and pick up sunscreen while supporting this important cause!

Excited to be at talking with community residents and volunteers about cancer screenings and resources to help people quit smoking.
We’re here in the beautiful new park behind Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center that was put in with the help of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. Come on out and connect with us until 6pm.

For the second consecutive year, the streets outside the Warren E. Anderson Midtown Collaboration Center became a hub for health, education and community connection during the Black Family Cancer Awareness Block Party, held June 13.

Convened by Case CCC in collaboration with consortium members Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals, and Cleveland Clinic, the event welcomed nearly 150 community members for a day focused on cancer awareness, prevention, screening, and wellness.

Attendees had access to health services and wellness resources, including mammograms, gynecological exams, prostate cancer screenings, blood pressure and STI screenings, and dental and oral cancer screenings. Additional programming featured wellness activities, healthy snack demonstrations and panel discussions focused on men’s and women’s health. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine students also hosted a teddy bear clinic to help children become more comfortable with medical tools and healthcare settings.

“Events like this make conversations about cancer and wellness feel more approachable and less intimidating,” said Kristina Austin, Case CCC's Director of Community Outreach and Engagement. “When people can ask questions, connect with healthcare providers and see others in their community engaging in these conversations, it helps build confidence around prevention, screening and seeking care.”

Bootcamp week is complete for the 2026 CanSUR cohort!

Forty undergraduate students from colleges and universities across the United States recently completed the opening "bootcamp" week of Case CCC's nationally recognized Cancer-focused Summer Undergraduate Research (CanSUR) program. The students were selected from a pool of nearly 1,100 applicants this year.

Designed to prepare students for a summer of intensive laboratory research, the week combined scientific enrichment with activities focused on team building, communication, and community.

Participants engaged in icebreakers, trust-building exercises, and collaborative challenges before gathering for a picnic and field games at Tinkham Veale University Center. Students also explored Cleveland's cultural landscape with a visit to the world-renowned Cleveland Museum of Art and had the opportunity to connect with faculty mentors during a dedicated Meet Your Mentor luncheon.

The scientific program featured a lecture by Goutham Narla, MD, PhD, (pictured above right) who discussed the molecular processes that underlie the genesis and progression of human tumors, as well as translational cancer research, and career development.

Over the summer, students will conduct hands-on research in laboratories across Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, and University Hospitals, working alongside leading cancer researchers.

The NIH- and ACS-funded program aims to inspire the next generation of cancer scientists by providing early exposure to cutting-edge research, mentorship, and career pathways in oncology.

Making this program possible are not only the dedicated Case CCC member mentors, but also Mark Jackson, PhD, Vice Dean, Graduate Education, CWRU SOM; Ruth Keri, PhD, Associate Director, Basic Research, Case CCC; Jason Mears, PhD, Case CCC's Associate Director of Training & Education; Damian Junk, PhD, Case CCC's Interim Associate Director; Gena Richmann, MEd, Education Program Manager; and Carolyn Hicks, Programs Manager.

Cancer impacts families in every community, with well-documented disparities in risk, access to care, and outcomes that make prevention and early detection especially important.

Join Case CCC and community partners for :

🗓 Saturday, June 13
🕚 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Midtown Collaboration Center (1974 E. 66th St., Cleveland)

This free community event will include:
• Free health screenings (including blood pressure, A1C, prostate cancer screening for eligible participants, mammograms, and more)
• Health and wellness panel discussions with clinicians and experts
• Movement-based activities (“Move to Music”)
• Healthy snack demonstrations
• Kids’ activities, giveaways, and community resource tables

Part of National Black Family Cancer Awareness Week, this event highlights cancer disparities while promoting prevention, screening, and informed conversations about family health history.

All are welcome—bring a friend or family member and join us in supporting healthier futures.

More details here: https://case.edu/cancer/community/blackfamcan

Today, we’re celebrating National Clinical Trials Day by recognizing the people behind cancer clinical research.

Clinical trials play a critical role in advancing cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship. Behind every study are dedicated clinical research professionals who ensure this work is conducted safely, efficiently, and with patients at the center of every step.

May 20 marks National Clinical Trials Day, commemorating the launch of the first randomized clinical trial in 1747 and the evolution of clinical research into a cornerstone of modern medicine.

We’re proud to highlight members of our Clinical Research Office and clinical trials teams across our consortium institutions—putting names to the faces of those who keep research moving every day:

Robin Roth, BSN, RN, CCRC, CCRN — Clinical Research Office Director
Josephine Chan, PhD, MBA — Director, Clinical Trials Unit
Jackie Tomer, PhD, MPH — Research Operations Director
Lydia Masar, MS — PRMC Manager
Charmaine Apale — Clinical Research Database Coordinator
Christine Marlow — Clinical Research Database Coordinator

We also recognize our clinical trials teams:
University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center Clinical Trials Unit
Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Unit

Thank you to all clinical research professionals whose work advances cancer care for patients and families.

Our monthly health and wellness series in honor of Dr. Faye Gary continues Thursday, May 14, 6-8 pm, New Life Cathedral in East Cleveland. Please join us for hands on nutrition sessions, live fitness demonstrations, group line dancing sessions, health and fitness analysis, and more!

Did you know? Many of the cancer treatments used today began as clinical trials.

Clinical trials are research studies that help doctors discover new and better ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer. They also help researchers study new drugs, devices, treatment approaches, and supportive care options to improve quality of life for patients.

Clinical trials continue to shape the future of cancer care and may offer access to promising new treatments being studied today.

Learn more about clinical trials and frequently asked questions: www.case.edu/cancer/clinical-trials