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Photo credit: Randy Belice

AACI hosted its 18th Annual Clinical Research Innovation (CRI) Meeting, June 23-25, in Rosemont, IL. Focusing on the theme of "Shaping the Future of Clinical Research Innovation," the event drew over 600 registrants—including 613 in-person attendees—with 143 abstracts submitted for presentation.

CRI Steering Committee Chair Margaret "Margie" Kasner, MD, MSCE (pictured, left), Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson, and AACI President Joann B. Sweasy, PhD, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, welcomed attendees before turning over the program to Hall of Fame Speaker David Glickman, CPS, CPAE. His dynamic keynote, supported by Advarra, offered a mix of relatable content and comic relief, reminding participants of the importance of work-life balance and finding time for fun.

A panel discussion on co-managing multidisciplinary trials across oncology and non-oncology explored how teams are collaboratively leading multidisciplinary studies that require shared oversight, integrated workflows, and coordinated operational support. Sarah Bigelow, CCRP, Louisiana Cancer Research Center, Tulane, moderated the discussion with panelists Julia Rasmussen, MS, BSN, RN, Duke Cancer Institute; Caterina Vacchi-Suzzi, PhD, CCRP, Stony Brook Cancer Center; and Erin Winters, RN, BSN, BMTCN, The University of Kansas Cancer Center. Winters distilled the key themes of the session into a single takeaway: "However important you think communication is, double that."

The afternoon program featured actionable ideas on streamlining workflows and strengthening collaboration across research teams to drive faster and smarter study start-up. Amy Overby, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, moderated an engaging discussion with Ankeeta Joshi, CCRC, Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health; Erin Monari, PhD, CCRP, UF Health Cancer Institute; and Ajay Nooka, MD, MPH, FACP, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.

Following the main sessions, attendees learned about the innovative research conducted at peer institutions during an interactive showcase of over 120 posters from nearly 50 AACI cancer centers and 25 partner organizations. 

Audience members enjoying the Day 1 keynote by David Glickman

Day 2 opened with a "State of the Union" address from Dr. Kasner, who highlighted 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 update, Whitney Cunningham, MS, PHR, UK Markey Cancer Center, moderated a conversation featuring Stephanie Brogan, CCRP, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School; Andrea Skafel, MSc, CCRP, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Theresa L. Werner, MD, Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. Describing the value of the CRI meeting as a resource for training, networking, and camaraderie among cancer center clinical researchers, Dr. Werner said, "This is really group therapy for all of us."

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

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

Throughout the day, attendees participated in breakout sessions that deepened their understanding of various aspects of clinical trials, including artificial intelligence (AI), aligning clinical trial portfolios with institutional priorities, building effective leadership programs, coordinating multisite investigator-initiated trials, expanding patient access to cancer research, strengthening oversight, improving study activation timelines and processes, community engagement, onboarding, quality assurance, and the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG). New this year, "Five-Minute Wins" provided a platform for attendees to share recent successes at their cancer centers and learn from their peers.

Day 2 closed with the presentation of four winning abstracts, selected from 143 submissions.

Pictured, left to right: Dr. Liliana Will, Dr. Erin Monari, Nina McGrew, Marjorie Brelsford, Kate McCaffrey, and Dr. Anshini Bhatt

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 Erin Monari, PhD, CCRP 
First author: Nina McGrew, MSN, RN, ACRP-CP
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, DDS, MPH
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 Anshini Bhatt, MBBS, MPH
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, MHA, CCRP, and Kate McCaffrey
Moffitt Cancer Center 
Abstract | Poster | Video

The third and final day of the CRI meeting opened with an update on the Equitable Access to Clinical Trials (EACT) initiative from Erin Williams, MBA, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center. Hosted by AACI in partnership with the Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard, EACT fosters collaboration to mitigate non-medical, out-of-pocket financial burdens for clinical trial participants in the United States.

A discussion on finance provided guidance on reimbursement models, budgeting frameworks, industry partnerships, and cooperative studies. Panelists were Lauren Wall, MS, the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center; Ronni Hayes, MBA, CPC, UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute; Bhuvana Ramachandran, MS, MBA, MPH, Stanford Cancer Institute; and Coleman Tew, MPA, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Edward Kim, MD, PhD, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, moderated a conversation with Rebecca Arend, MD, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; Kristin Bialobok, MSN, RN, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; and Kristen Kipping-Johnston, MPH, CCRP, UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, in which panelists discussed the opportunities and challenges that accompany expanding clinical trials to regional sites.

In the CRI meeting's final session, the NCI's Krzysztof Ptak, PhD, provided an overview of the NCI's CCSG, including key components, priorities, and considerations for cancer centers, in conversation with Julie Schaum, MS, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.

AACI extends its appreciation to the CRI Steering Committee, speakers, supporters, exhibitors, and meeting attendees, for helping shape the future of clinical research innovation. Please save the date for the 19th Annual AACI CRI Meeting, June 28-30, 2027, at the Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel in Rosemont, IL.

2026 members of the AACI CRI Steering Committee

18th Annual AACI CRI Meeting Supporters

AACI gratefully acknowledges support from the following:

Premier Supporter
Merck

Keynote Supporter
Advarra

Champion Supporters
BioNTech
Huron
Veeva
Verily

Silver Supporters
Genentech
Gilead
Pfizer

In addition to general sessions, breakouts, and poster discussions, CRI meeting attendees were invited to participate in special presentations by AACI Tech Gold members IgniteData (with Advarra), Medidata, and Yunu, and Tech Connect events hosted by Triomics, Veeva, and Tech Gold member Paradigm Health. They also engaged with exhibitors that are helping academic cancer centers solve operational challenges. AACI gratefully acknowledges support from these exhibitors: Actalent, Advarra, BioNTech, Elevate Clinical Trials Solutions, Florence Healthcare, Huron, IgniteData, Medidata, Mint Medical, nCartes, Paradigm Health, TRIALNAV, Veeva, Verily, Vizlitics, WCG, and Yunu.

View the Meeting Program