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Annual Scientific Retreat Agenda

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025
2–5:15 p.m. ET

Tinkham Veale University Center

2–2:20 p.m.

Year of Accomplishments

Gary Schwartz, MD
Director, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC)
2:20–2:30 p.m.

Introduction to TED-Style Talks
2:30–2:50 p.m.

Cleveland’s Back: How the city and region have transformed since the nadir of the 1980s, where we stand today, and what progress is still needed

Baiju Shah
President and CEO, Greater Cleveland Partnership
2:50–3:10 p.m.

State of Cleveland’s Health

David Margolius
Director, Cleveland Department of Public Health
3:10–3:30 p.m.

Reclaiming Meaning: Life After Cancer

Alique Toplian
Research Scientist, Family & Community Medicine, University of Cincinnati
3:30–5:15 p.m.

Poster Session and Reception

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025
7:30 a.m.–4:50 p.m. ET

Corporate College East

7:30 a.m.

Breakfast

8–8:10 a.m.

Welcome Remarks 

Chris Hubert, PhD
Member, Molecular Oncology Program, Case CCC

Natalie Silver, MD, MS, FACS
Member, Immune Oncology Program, Case CCC
8:10–8:30 a.m.

Introduction, Vision, and Strategic Directions

Gary Schwartz, MD
Director, Case CCC
8:30–8:45 a.m.

Session I: Cancer Health Outcomes

Introduction: How to Engage the Community as a Cancer Center

Moderator: Kristina Austin, MSEd, LSW
Director of Community Engagement, Case CCC
8:45–9:05 a.m.

Darcy Freedman, PhD, MPH
Member, Population and Cancer Prevention Program, Case CCC
9:05–9:25 a.m.

Molecular Mediators of Cancer Disparities

Dan McGrail, PhD
Member, Immune Oncology Program, Case CCC
9:25–9:45 a.m.

East Palestine

Fred Schumacher
Co-Leader, Population and Cancer Prevention Program, Case CCC
9:45–9:55 a.m.

Trainee Talk
9:55–10:05 a.m.

Panel Discussion/Questions
10:05–10:20 a.m.

Break
10:20–10:25 a.m.

Session II: Molecular Genetics in Oncology

Introduction

Moderator: Shalini Moningi, MD
Radiation Oncologist, Cleveland Clinic
10:25–10:45 a.m.

PhosphoER: Structure-Function Toward Small Molecule Discovery

Sichun Yang, PhD
Member, Molecular Oncology, Case CCC
10:45–11:05 a.m.

Non-Canonical Roles of Epigenetic Modifiers in Regulating Transcription and Cell Fate

Kaixiang Cao, PhD
Member, Cancer Genomics and Epigenomics Program, Case CCC
11:05–11:25 a.m.

Sibling Rivalry: Distinct Assembly and Opposing Functions of EphA1 and EphA2 Kinases in Carcinogenesis

Bingcheng Wang, PhD
Member, Molecular Oncology Program, Case CCC
11:25–11:35 a.m.

Trainee Talk
11:35–11:45 a.m.

Panel Discussion/Questions
11:45 a.m.–1 p.m.

Lunch/Program Breakout Rooms
1-1:15 p.m.

Break
1:15–1:20 p.m.

Introduction to Keynote Address

Ted Teknos, MD
President, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center
Deputy Director for University Hospitals, Case CCC
1:20–2:20 p.m.

Keynote Address

Head and Neck Cancer Immunotherapy: Dangers and Opportunities

Robert Ferris, MD, PhD
Executive Director, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
2:20–2:30 p.m.

Break
2:30–2:35 p.m.

Session III: Next-Gen Strategies in Cancer Therapy

Introduction

Moderator: Jacob Miller, MD
Member, Cancer Genomics and Epigenomics Program, Case CCC
2:35–2:55 p.m.

Redefining and Targeting Immunosuppressive Myeloid Cells in Solid Tumors 

Tyler Miller, MD, PhD
Member, Immune Oncology Program, Case CCC
2:55–3:15 p.m.

How Biomarkers are Changing the Management of Head & Neck and Squamous Cell Cancer

Shlomo Koyfman, MD
Member, Cancer Imaging Program, Case CCC
3:15–3:45 p.m.

Function and Target of ETV6 in Ewing Sarcoma

Yuan Gao, PhD
Member, Cancer Genomics and Epigenetics, Case CCC
3:45–4:05 p.m.

Trainee Talk
4:05–4:15 p.m.

Panel Discussion/Questions
4:15–4:20 p.m.

Concluding Remarks

Chris Hubert, PhD
Member, Molecular Oncology Program, Case CCC

Natalie Silver, MD, MS, FACS
Member, Immune Oncology Program, Case CCC
4:20–4:50 p.m.

Program Leaders/Executive Committee Closed Session