Sept. 1, 2025

The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium Summit returns on Friday, September 12, 2025, bringing together investigators and research leaders from Big Ten CRC institutions, industry partners, and research advocates, for a day full of collaboration, idea exchange, and scientific momentum.

Set at the Big Ten Conference Headquarters in Rosemont, Ill., the annual summit continues its tradition of fostering institutional connections and accelerating progress in cancer research. This year’s program combines networking opportunities with scientific updates and discussions on relevant topics impacting research institutions across the United States. Chris Draft, former NFL linebacker and nationally recognized health advocate, will serve as the Summit’s special speaker, bringing a powerful message on advocacy and advancing cancer research.

For industry partners and investigators, the summit offers multiple opportunities for connection, with industry pipeline presentations and dedicated networking time, encouraging real-time collaboration and potential new partnerships.

The morning will open with a welcome to new members, followed by a leadership panel featuring consortium leaders who will share insights on relevant topics, priorities, challenges, and the future of multi-site collaboration.

In keeping with the consortium’s commitment to honoring leadership, the Pat Loehrer Award will be presented shortly after. The award is presented annually to an individual researcher who best demonstrates collaboration within the Big Ten CRC. It is named in honor of Patrick J. Loehrer, MD, founding visionary of the Big Ten CRC and Distinguished Professor, Joseph W. and Jackie J. Cusick Professor of Oncology, Professor of Medicine, and Program Leader of Global Oncology at Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Throughout the day, attendees will hear from researchers across the consortium, including a dedicated spotlight on Penn State research, presented by Alireza Mansouri, MD, and an engaging multi-investigator session showcasing several Big Ten CRC studies.

A special guest from Cal’s Angels, Stacey Wahlberg , will join the summit to share the organization’s inspiring work in supporting pediatric cancer research, advocacy, and awareness.

Following a lunch break, the Summit will continue with updates on projects supported by the Big Ten CRC’s Kenneth and Verna Mae Jessen Award. Presenters will include Sharon Manne, PhD, of Rutgers University, Roberto Benzo, PhD, of The Ohio State University, and Kyle Nolla, PhD, of Northwestern University.  An investigator panel will follow, highlighting the experiences of junior and senior investigators and the role of the consortium in fostering mentorship and career-building opportunities.


The Summit will conclude with an inspiring message from Chris Draft, former NFL linebacker and internationally recognized health advocate. Draft and his late wife, LaKeasha Rutledge Draft, founded Team Draft on their wedding day in 2011, just one month before LaKeasha lost her battle with stage IV lung cancer. Team Draft is committed to changing the face of lung cancer through a mission of awareness, early detection, treatment, research, and survivorship. Leveraging Draft’s twelve-year NFL career, his extensive national network, and his ongoing role as an NFL Ambassador, the organization uses one of the most visible platforms in sports to reduce stigma, support survivors, and inspire innovation in cancer research and care.
 
Draft is also the founder of the Chris Draft Family Foundation, established in 2006 to promote education, healthy lifestyles, character development, and community empowerment across the country. 

Find the complete agenda and register here: Big Ten CRC Summit

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.