September 3, 2025  
Design and Management of Cancer Clinical Trials Course
SEPTEMBER 5–OCTOBER 10, 7–10:00 AM
Free, virtual, every Friday for six weeks. Learn foundational research concepts and principles.
 
UC Irvine Anti-Cancer Challenge Rally #2
SEPTEMBER 6, 8–11:00 AM
Learn more about the UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge and how you can contribute to defeating cancer, 856 Health Sciences Quad Irvine, CA 92697
 
NCCN Oncology Policy Summit
SEPTEMBER 9, 9:25 AM–2:55 PM
The National Press Club, Washington D.C. Discuss policy and practice strategies focused on the rapidly changing AI landscape.
 
Exploring ecDNA's Impact on Childhood Cancers
SEPTEMBER 9, 10–11:00 AM
Virtual - NCI Webinar Series – Learn how to engage with the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative
 
NIH Loan Repayment Programs Information
SEPTEMBER 19, 10–11:30 AM
This informational session is designed to provide an overview of the application process for the November 2025 NIH submission.
 
Introduction to Deep Learning Tools in Genomics
SEPTEMBER 23, 9:00 AM–2:30 PM
Registration is $50. Participants must bring a personal laptop and have an active HPC3 account.
 
Enhancing Childhood Cancer Data Sharing and Utility
SEPTEMBER 29–30, 8:30 AM–3:30 PM
NIH Main Campus, Bethesda, MD (Day 1) | NCI Shady Grove Campus, Rockville, MD (Day 2)
 
Third Annual Data Sharing Symposium: How Data Advances the Impact of Cancer Research
SEPTEMBER 30–OCTOBER 1
Join the NCI, Office of Data Sharing, in person or virtually on September 30 and October 1, 2025.
 
ICTS Responsible Conduct of Research Workshop
OCTOBER 3 & 24, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences Bldg., room 3130. Questions? nardoy@hs.uci.edu
 
Childhood Cancer – Data Initiative (CCDI) Symposium – Advance research and clinical care
OCTOBER 6-7, 6 AM–3 PM; 5:30–11:30 AM
Hosted by NCI, Bethesda, MD or Virtual
 
NCCN 2025 Annual Congress: Hematologic Malignancies
OCTOBER 10–11
The latest insights in hematology and connections with leading experts from across the country. ​​​​
 
ASCO Quality Care Symposium, Chicago IL & Online
OCTOBER 10-11
Early registration deadline: September 3, 2025. Marriott Marquis Chicago.
 
Anti-Cancer Challenge
OCTOBER 11, 6:00 AM–2:00 PM
Ride, run or walk with us on Challenge Day, and enjoy a family-friendly festival featuring musical entertainment, awards and more!
 
ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference
OCTOBER 15–17
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, Denver, CO. How oncology professionals are shaping real-world advances
 
Members, Steve Goldstein, MD, PhD, FAAP, and Daniel Chow, MD, MBA – Speakers
OCTOBER 23, 2:30–6:30 PM
At the Business of Interprofessional Healthcare Conference
 
27th Annual Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium  2025 – Chicago
OCTOBER 23–26
Practice-changing research in medical, surgical, and radiation oncology.
 
NCCN 2025 Lung Cancer Congress - Philadelphia or Virtually
NOVEMBER 7, 7:45 AM–5:00 PM
Unique patient cases and how best to apply NCCN Guidelines. CE/MOC credit is available.
 
Advanced Workshop on Research Skills in Oncology for Early-Career Investigators - Virtual
JANUARY 21-23, 2026
Harvard Medical School. Application Deadline: September 28, 2025
 
Melanoma Research Alliance Seeks Proposals for 2025–2026 Funding Cycle

Young Investigator Award 
3 years | Up to $85,000/year (up to $225,000 total) 
Biosketch due September 30 | Full proposal due November 6 ​​​​​

Team Science Award 
3 years | Up to $300,000/year (up to $900,000 total) 
LOI due September 25 

Team Science Academic–Industry Partnership Award 
3 years | Up to $300,000/year (up to $900,000 total) 
LOI due September 25  ​​

Pilot Award 
2 years | Up to $50,000/year (up to $100,000 total) 
Full proposal due November 25
 
NIH Loan Repayment Programs (LRP) – Application Cycle Opens September 1
2 years | Up to $50,000/year in loan repayment 
Offers substantial debt relief and tax support in exchange for a commitment to cancer-focused research. 
Deadline: November 20 
 
Research Support Opportunity
UC Irvine Genetic Epidemiology Research Institute
1 year | $2,500
Funds research using NIH All of Us data to advance precision medicine.
Rolling Deadline
 
A1 Bridge Funding
UC Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
1 year | $20,000
Supports cancer research with strong potential to improve treatment, diagnosis, prevention, and patient outcomes. Designed to strengthen and resubmit NIH grant applications.
Rolling Deadline
 
Join the Chao Cancer Center Director's Team
Choose to give today or join our team! When you join the team, your fundraising dollars will contribute to our team's overall fundraising goal.

Your involvement matters, and together we can make a difference in the fight against cancer!
 
Christine Choe has been promoted – congratulations!
Christine Choe has been promoted to Research Data Coordinator after three years supporting hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and GI clinical trials. We’re excited to see her bring the expertise and dedication to this new role! cschoe@hs.uci.edu
 
Amanda Macaraeg has been promoted – congratulations!
Amanda Macaraeg has been promoted to Clinical Research Manager of the GU oncology team. She brings seven years of experience coordinating Phase I–III industrial, institutional, and national trials across multiple sites. macaraeg@hs.uci.edu
 
Stephanie Osoriohas been promoted – congratulations!
Stephanie Osorio has been promoted to Clinical Research Manager overseeing part of malignant hematology and gynecology oncology. Over the past six years, she has been the cornerstone of our AML research efforts. sosorio2@hs.uci.edu
 
Judit Castellanos has been promoted – congratulations!
Judit Castellanos has been promoted to Clinical Research Manager. For the past three years, she has helped transform our CAR-T and transplant research programs, expanding access and elevating the quality of clinical research. juditc@hs.uci.edu
 
Molecular Characterization Initiative Enrollment Extended
Children, adolescents, and young adults recently diagnosed with metastatic Ewing sarcoma may now enroll. Participants in the initiative get state-of-the-art molecular testing at no cost to them. ​​​​​
The Childhood Cancer Data Initiative Molecular Characterization Initiative was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.
 
International Shipping – Compliance is Required
Before shipping, consult the UC Irvine Office of Research website devoted to International Shipping. For questions, contact btmccurd@uci.edu
 
Mentorship, Education & Training (MET) Program – Catalyze your Career in Cancer Research
Partner with senior mentors from the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (CFCCC) to navigate career and scientific challenges, strengthen your research, and advance your long-term trajectory in cancer research. Early-stage and mid-career faculty are invited to apply for the MET program — a year-long professional development and mentorship opportunity. Deadline to apply: September 22 
 
NIH Grants & Funding

NIH Shifts Focus to Human-Based Research, Signaling Fewer Animal Studies in Future Funding Opportunities — See How This Change Could Shape Your Next Grant 

New NIH Supplement Model Speeds Approvals for Global Human Subjects Research 

NIH Extends Flexibility for Reporting Basic Experimental Studies With Human Participants — Explore New Compliance Options Beyond September 2025 

New NIH Fellowship Opportunities Now Open — Advance Your Research Career 

NIH Clarifies Impact of Human-Based Research Initiative on Laboratory Animal Proposals 

 
Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE)
Strengthen your research impact, enhance clinical trial success, gain trusted community insights, increase study relevance, and accelerate accruals.
 

Cancer Center Team Attends UC Irvine Staff Picnic – Krystina Jarema, Pilar Quezada, Ethan Park, April Bagaporo, Claudia Magee, Carrie Ullmer, Daniel Rivas, Katrina Parshad, Natalee McGee
 

Allen Chao, PhD – Philanthropist and Founding Benefactor of the UCI Cancer Center – Appointed CEO of Zephyr AI, Inc.
 

Member, Brian Paegel, PhD – Appointed as Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
 

Member, Sora Park Tanjasiri, MPH, DrPH – New Grant Targets Better Cancer Care for Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders in Orange County
 

Matthew Landry, PhD, RDN – 9 of the Best High-Fiber Foods to Eat, According to Nutritionists
 

Member, Nataliya Mar, MD – Reviews First-Line Therapy in Metastatic Non-Clear Cell RCC
 
Research Programs
Leadership
Advisory Boards
Resources & Funding
Centers & Institutes

Cancer In Focus prior to June 2025

 
Contact Information
UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, 200 S. Manchester Ave, Orange, CA 92868, US

cfccccommunications@hs.uci.edu
Phone 714-456-8000