June 20, 2025: The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium is pleased to announce John Hays, MD, PhD, as the new chair of the Steering Committee. Dr. Hays is an associate professor in the College of Medicine and member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. With a specialty in medical oncology, Dr. Hays brings a commitment to forward thinking and a wealth of experience as a successful leader and mentor. Read More

 
June 11, 2025: In this month’s Across the Consortium, the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium spotlights a wide range of updates from our member institutions. This issue showcases groundbreaking discoveries, acts of philanthropy, and leadership that will shape not only the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium but also the future of cancer research itself. You’ll also find news of cancer conferences, new research facilities, and impactful research advances.
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June 2, 2025: This month, the Big Ten CRC highlights The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) as our featured member. Asrar Alahmadi, MBBS, serves as an assistant professor in the College of Medicine at The Ohio State University.

Dr. Alahmadi is a medical oncologist who specializes in treating thoracic malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, thymoma, and mesothelioma. She received her medical degree from King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and completed her fellowship in hematology and oncology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

Dr. Alahmadi serves as principal investigator of the OSUCCC – James-led trial representing the first human testing of a new, DHODH inhibitor discovered, developed, and moved toward commercialization at Ohio State that will soon be used for cancer treatment at the patient’s bedside. Read more about the trial here: https://cancer.osu.edu/news/ohio-state-drug-discovery-enters-clinical-testing-secures-commercialization-partner

“I am passionate about medical oncology because of the special relationship and meaningful human connection that I develop with my patients. These relationships are what I enjoy most about working at The James — not only with my patients but my colleagues as well. The James offers a family environment with supportive leadership and collaborators, and it’s great to be part of a team that is all working toward the shared goal of conquering cancer,” said Dr. Alahmadi.

About the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium: The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium was created in 2013 to transform the conduct of cancer research through collaborative clinical trials and observational studies that seek to improve the lives of cancer patients in the diverse communities we serve by leveraging the scientific and clinical expertise of Big Ten universities. The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium creates a unique team research culture to drive science rapidly from ideas to treatment and prevention. Within this innovative environment, today’s research leaders collaborate with and mentor the research leaders of tomorrow. Since its founding, the Big Ten CRC has activated nearly 40 clinical trials across a wide range of cancer types, more than 1,000 participants have enrolled in Big Ten CRC studies, and more than 500 researchers have joined Big Ten CRC Clinical Trial Working Groups.

About the Big Ten Conference: The Big Ten Conference is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of the 18 Big Ten institutions provide direct financial support for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women. For more information, visit www.bigten.org.