Shaping the Future of Clinical Research Innovation

18th Annual AACI CRI Meeting: Day 2 Overview

Thank you to the over 600 participants who joined us for the second day of the 18th Annual AACI CRI Meeting. 

AACI CRI Steering Committee Chair Dr. Margie Kasner, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson, opened Day 2 with a "State of the Union" address, welcoming attendees and highlighting recent CRI projects and accomplishments, including an AI Task Force and new publications focused on accelerating clinical trial activation and sustainable practices for disposing of unused lab kit supplies.

Following the welcome was a panel discussion on effective training, onboarding, and mentorship in clinical trials offices. Speakers described effective strategies and emphasized how these factors contribute to operational excellence. Whitney Cunningham, UK Markey Cancer Center, moderated a conversation featuring Stephanie Brogan, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School; Andrea Skafel, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Dr. Theresa L. Werner, Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah.  


"This is really group therapy for all of us." - Dr. Theresa L. Werner

The final regular morning session explored how real-world data can be leveraged for smarter clinical trial design and patient navigation. Dr. Muhammad Furqan, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, moderated a discussion with Dr. Wencesley Paez, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health; Aashka Shah, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; and Evan Sholle, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine.  

Breakout Sessions 

Attendees participated in a variety of breakout sessions aimed at fostering connections and deepening their understanding of different aspects of clinical trials. Breakouts included "Advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Cancer Research," "Aligning Trial Portfolio Strategy With Institutional Cancer Priorities," "Building Effective Leadership Programs in Cancer Centers," "Coordinating Multisite Investigator-Initiated Trials," "Expanding Research Access," "Five-Minute Wins," "Strengthening Oversight," and "Study Activation in Practice."

Following the first round of breakouts, Jay Lebsack, Moffitt Cancer Center, moderated a "fireside chat" on strengthening collaborations between cancer centers and industry partners. He was joined on the panel by Kate Boneck and Bethany Strother, of AACI Corporate Roundtable members Merck and Lilly, respectively, and Thea McNeill of AbbVie.

Additional afternoon breakout session topics spanned community engagement, AI, the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG), onboarding, quality assurance, reducing time to activation, and sustaining investigator engagement.  

Day 2 closed with the presentation of four winning abstracts, selected from 143 submissions. Dr. Kasner moderated a panel discussion with the winning authors, who engaged in a Q&A with audience members following the presentation.

2026 Abstract Winners 

FIRST PLACE

Optimizing Data Collection in Investigator-Initiated Trials: Assessing Alignment Between Collected Data and Study Endpoints at UF Health Cancer Institute 

Presented by Dr. Erin Monari 

UF Health Cancer Institute 

Abstract | Poster | Video

SECOND PLACE 

My Opción: Enhancing Access to Cancer Clinical Trials and Education in the Hispanic/Latino Community Through Community Engagement 

Presented by Liliana Will 

OHSU Knight Cancer Institute 

Abstract | Poster | Video

THIRD PLACE (tie) 

NYU Prostate Cancer Automated Database (NYU Pro AD Pilot Project): Leverage AI in Operational Workflow 

Presented by Dr. Anshini Bhatt 

Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health 

Abstract | Video

Enhancing Scientific Review and Progress Monitoring to Improve Committee Management and Portfolio Oversight 

Presented by Marjorie Brelsford and Kate McCaffrey 

Moffitt Cancer Center 

Abstract | Poster | Video

Winning abstract authors and presenters, left to right: Liliana Will, OHSU Knight Cancer Institute; Dr. Erin Monari and Nina McGrew, UF Health Cancer Institute; Marjorie Brelsford and Kate McCaffrey, Moffitt Cancer Center; and Dr. Anshini Bhatt, Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health

Today's Tech Gold presentation by Yunu explored common friction points in clinical trial imaging operations through a candid conversation with attendees about their "wish lists" for bidirectional connectivity and improved site-to-sponsor workflows.

Please join us tomorrow for the third and final day of the AACI CRI annual meeting. Sessions include updates on the Equitable Access to Clinical Trials (EACT) project, current NCI initiatives, and the CCSG, and panel discussions on strategies for funding clinical trials and expanding trials to regional sites.

All photos by Randy Belice.

CRI Steering Committee chairs, past and present: Drs. Tara L. Lin, Thomas J. George, Margie Kasner, and Theresa L. Werner

Attendees discuss their research at the June 23 poster session

18th Annual AACI CRI Meeting Exhibitors

AACI gratefully acknowledges support from the following:

Copyright 2026 | Association of American Cancer Institutes