Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

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

May is National Cancer Research Month, a time to recognize the persistence and collaboration that moves cancer research forward.

At Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, that work is shared across Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals, and Cleveland Clinic. These scientists, clinicians, trainees, and staff work across discovery science, translational research, and patient care, all with the same goal of advancing better treatments.

Across the consortium, clinical trials are happening every day. National Clinical Trials Day (May 20) highlights how essential clinical trials are to advancing cancer research. We’re grateful to the patients, investigators, and teams who make that work possible.

Are clinical trials safe?It’s one of the most common questions patients ask when considering participation in research.

Clinical trials are highly regulated research studies designed with patient safety as a top priority. Before a study begins, it undergoes scientific and ethics review, and participants are closely monitored throughout the trial.

Clinical research helps improve cancer care, advance new treatments, and expand options for future patients.

Learn more about common myths and facts surrounding clinical trials in the carousel.

Case CCC has selected its 2026 cohort for the Cancer-focused Summer Undergraduate Research (CanSUR) program, welcoming 40 undergraduate students from a highly competitive pool of 1,081 applicants.

CanSUR provides students with immersive, hands-on experience in cancer research, pairing them with Case CCC investigators across the consortium for summer-long lab placements. The program begins with a Boot Camp on May 26, equipping students with foundational knowledge and skills before they enter the lab.

This year’s cohort reflects the growing interest in cancer research among undergraduate students and the program’s expanding reach. A few highlights from this year’s cohort:
• A student joining us from Pomona College in California
• A Cleveland State University student participating through a • new partnership
• Students representing hometowns from Las Vegas to Northeast Ohio
• One student comes from a family of six siblings (including a twin!)
• Another has a unique connection to film—their uncle produced the Jason Bourne movie series

CanSUR is led by Mark Jackson, PhD, Vice Dean for Graduate Education and Program Director/Principal Investigator, alongside Ruth Keri, PhD, Damian Junk, PhD, Jason Mears, PhD, and Gena Richmann, MEd, with Case CCC members serving as mentors and hosting students in their labs throughout the summer.
We look forward to welcoming this exceptional group to campus.

Learn more about the CanSUR program: https://case.edu/cancer/training-education/cansur

On AML Awareness Day, we recognize acute myeloid leukemia (AML)—an aggressive blood cancer that requires timely and effective treatment.

Clinical trials play a critical role in advancing AML care. They allow researchers to evaluate new therapies, improve treatment approaches, and expand options for patients today and in the future.

At Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, this work is already making an impact. In 2024, one of our members received a $1.3M award to advance research supporting military veterans battling AML, helping address the needs of a particularly vulnerable population.

🔬 Learn more about clinical trials and how they’re advancing cancer care: https://case.edu/cancer/clinical-trials