AACR on Campus Poland/Ukraine 2026
Advancing Cancer Care in Ukraine and Poland Through Global Education and Partnerships
August 6–7, 2026 | Warsaw, Poland
Organized by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in partnership with the Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology (MSCI) and the Global Medical Knowledge Alliance (GMKA)
Overview
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in Ukraine, and the ongoing full-scale war has placed unprecedented pressure on an already strained healthcare system — disrupting treatment pathways, displacing patients, and forcing oncology professionals to relocate. Despite these challenges, Ukraine’s oncology community continues to demonstrate resilience and determination, advancing cancer care through education, collaboration, and innovation that save lives today while building a stronger system for the future.
AACR On Campus Poland/Ukraine responds to this urgent need by creating a shared platform for high-quality scientific training and professional exchange. Hosted in Warsaw, the 1.5-day program equips early-career oncology researchers and clinicians from Ukraine and Poland with practical skills, mentorship, and cross-border networks essential for advancing research and strengthening cancer care systems across the region.
Key Topics
- Cancer Prevention and Early Detection
- Quality of Life and Quality of Care in Cancer Management
- Observational Studies: Learning from Real-World Data
- Cost-effectiveness in Cancer Treatment
These focus areas reflect the most pressing healthcare priorities in both countries, particularly the need to sustain, modernize, and rebuild resilient cancer care systems during and after the war in Ukraine.
Program
The program combines structured learning with interactive, skill-building experiences, including:
- Lectures from leading international oncology experts.
- Hands-on workshops focused on grant writing, publishing high-impact research, and effective scientific communication.
- Seminars and interactive sessions designed to foster discussion, mentorship, and practical problem-solving.
- Poster presentations, where participants showcase their own research. Each poster will be reviewed by an expert committee, which will provide detailed, personalized feedback on scientific content, design, and presentation skills.
- The author of the best poster will receive travel support to attend the AACR Annual Meeting in San Diego (USA).
Key Speakers
- Nelya Melnitchouk, MD, MSc, FACS
Colorectal Surgeon, Brigham and Women's Hospital; Assistant Professor in Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Chief Executive Officer, Global Medical Knowledge Alliance (USA) - Electra D. Paskett, Ph.D., FACE, AACR, FASCO
Marion N. Rowley Professor of Cancer Research, The Ohio State University; Director, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, College of Medicine; Professor, Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health; Deputy Director for Population Sciences and Community Outreach, James OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center; Founding Director, Center for Community Outreach and Engagement, James OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center; American Cancer Society Distinguished Professor, American Cancer Society (USA) - Claire F. Snyder, MHS, PhD
Professor of Medicine, Oncology, and Health Policy & Management, Johns Hopkins Schools of Medicine and Public Health; Program Director, BLOCS: Building Lifestyle, Outcomes, and Care Services Research in Cancer (USA) - Rodrigo Dienstmann, MD, MBA, PhD
Group Leader, Oncology Data Science, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology; Medical Director, Oncoclínicas&Co; Editor-in-Chief, ESMO Real-world Data and Digital Oncology (Spain) - Richard Sullivan, MD, PhD
Professor of Cancer & Global Health, King’s College London; Director, Institute of Cancer Policy; Co-Director, Centre of Conflict & Health Security; NCD Advisor, World Health Organization; Lead, World Bank Group Cancer Strategy, World Bank Group; Fellow, Centre for Global Development; UK Representative, Scientific Council, International Agency for Research on Cancer; Former Clinical Director, Cancer Research UK; Former Director, Council for Emerging National Security Affairs (Great Britain) - Darya Kizub MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Director of Oncology & Research, Global Medical Knowledge Alliance (USA) - Nataliya Uboha, MD, PhD
Gastrointestinal Medical Oncologist, Associate Director of Clinical Research, UW Carbone Cancer Center; Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health; Program Lead, Early Phase Oncology Therapeutics (EPOT) Program, UW Carbone Cancer Center; Chair, Upper GI Task Force, ECOG-ACRIN; Co-Chair, Upper GI Task Force, National Cancer Institute; Institutional Principal Investigator, NCI UM1 ETCTN Grant, National Cancer Institute (USA)
Registration
Participation requires submission of a completed application form. All applications will be evaluated through a competitive selection process.
Applications to attend the event and be considered for the poster competition must be submitted by April 20, 2026 (11:59 PM ET).
To apply, log into your myAACR account and register by completing the application form. At the end of the application process, you will be provided with an email address where you must send your poster as a PDF for consideration. If you do not yet have a myAACR account, you will need to create one before registering.
Professional & Networking Opportunities
AACR on Campus Poland/Ukraine provides the next generation of cancer researchers with the tools, knowledge, and connections to advance discoveries and strengthen regional research capacity. Participants will:
- Develop practical skills in scientific communication, manuscript writing, research ethics, and career development.
- Foster cross-border collaboration and exchange of experience between oncology professionals.
- Engage with AACR’s global community, accessing research networks, grants, publications, and ongoing learning opportunities.
Expected Outcomes
The AACR on Campus Poland/Ukraine will:
- Build a sustainable foundation for scientific cooperation between Ukraine, Poland and international community
- Advance education, training, and mentorship for early-career oncology specialists
- Promote cross-border collaboration to address region-specific challenges in cancer care
- Equip participants with skills to conduct and communicate impactful, high-quality research
- Strengthen resilience and capacity in Ukraine’s cancer care system
Partner Organizations
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its application to cancer treatment and prevention. AACR membership includes more than 61,000 laboratory, translational, and clinical researchers; population scientists; other healthcare professionals; and patient advocates residing in 143 countries and territories worldwide. Currently, 34% of members live outside the United States, and 20% of AACR’s international members are based in countries that are developing cancer research capacity.
Global Medical Knowledge Alliance (GMKA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding access to evidence-based medical knowledge in Ukraine and worldwide. GMKA’s mission is to strengthen Ukraine’s medical capacity by developing strategic partnerships with leading international healthcare institutions and committed Ukrainian hospitals and clinicians. With a strong emphasis on oncology, GMKA works to modernize cancer care, enhance clinical training, and transform the delivery of life-saving services across the country.
Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology (MSCI) — Poland’s leading oncology center, integrating clinical excellence, cutting-edge research, and medical education. MSCI integrates advanced diagnostics, clinical trials, and multidisciplinary expertise to deliver personalized treatments.