Agenda & Registration

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22nd ANNUAL ONCOLOGY RESEARCH & EDUCATION DAY

Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneuship and Innovation, Western University
Rooms: SEI 1110 and Poster Rooms: SEI 4105 & 4106

Parking (FREE) Lot: Springlett Lot 1305 Western Road, lot south of Huron College
Park and walk towards Burnlea Drive streetlights.
Cross east. Building is directly off crosswalk.
London, Ontario

Thursday June 18, 2026 - 8:00AM to 4:30PM

Download Full Agenda as a PDF here 
This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by Continuing Professional Development, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University. You may claim a maximum of 4.00 hours (credits are automatically calculated).

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AGENDA

Overall Learning Objectives:

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

1.To review new contributions from medical oncology, surgery, radiation oncology and medical biophysics, as well as advanced comprehensive cancer care; 2.Discuss and assess cutting-edge research in oncology, including novel methodologies for studying cancer at the cellular/molecular level and the implications for treatment and patient care; 3.Appraise research findings and demonstrate how collaboration can bridge clinical and basic science research in oncology.


8:00

Registration - SEI Lobby

Please register and enjoy coffee/tea while networking with colleagues
8:30

Welcome and Opening Remarks - SEI 1110 

Lorin Dodbiba MD FRCPC and Len Luyt PhD - Conference Co-Chairs

Michael Ott MD FRCSC -  Department of Oncology Chair and Physician Executive Oncology LHSC
8:45-9:45

Morning Oral Presentation - SEI Room 1110

Judges:

Glenn Bauman MD FRCPC - Vice Dean - Clinical Affairs, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University. 

Peter J. H. Scott PhD - Paul L. Carson Collegiate Professor of Radiology, University of Michigan 

Silvia Penuela PhD - Assistant Dean - Translational Research, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University. 
8:45 1. Natasha Bruce MSc. Can. - Evaluation of novel OICR38964 inhibitor compound as a therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer.
9:00 2. Shahin Ghaseminejad CAMPED-PhD Can. - A Radiobiological Framework for Precision Dosing in Theranostics: Maximizing Tumor Control, Minimizing Healthy Tissue Damage.
9:15 3. Elena Tay RN Can. - Atypical acute toxicities of weekly docetaxel with radiation (RT) for cisplatin-ineligible patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).
9:30 4. Huilin Niu PhD Can. - Converging Path to Metastasis: Stem-like and Proliferative States in Primary Tumours of Myxoid Liposarcoma Leads to Metastatic Progression. 
9:45-11:45 POSTER AND NETWORKING SESSION - SEI Room 4105 & 4106

Poster viewing and judging

Please enjoy refreshments and light snack 
11:45-12:15

Talk: SEI 1110

The Evolving Landscape of Theranostics in London and Canada 

Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to describe the current theranostics and imaging programs operating in London; participants will appraise the translational nature of theranostics activities in London including imaging; participants will be able to infer the role of London scientist and clinicians in the implementation of theranostics in Canada.

Michael S. Kovacs PhD - Imaging Program Leader, Lawson Research Institute at St. Joseph's Health Care London 

Ryan MacDonald MBA CHE BSc MRT(NM) - Director, Medical Imaging, London Health Sciences Centre

Mina Swiha MBBCh PhD FRCPC ABNM - Clinician, Molecular Imaging & Theranostics

Stephen Nelli MBA CHE BSc MRT(N) - Director, Medical Imaging & Breast Care, St. Joseph's Health Care London 
12:15-1:15

Keynote Lecture - SEI 1110

"Theranostics - New Developments in Precision Cancer Care that are Transforming Patient Prognosis"

Peter J. H. Scott PhD. 

Paul L. Carson Collegiate Professor of Radiology, University of Michigan | Cross appointed to Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology | Director, PET Center | Associate Chair for Basic Science Research | Division Director, Nuclear MedicineChair | Radiation Policy Committee Co-Chair | Radioactive Drug Research Committee 

Objectives: Summarize the history of theranostics that defined the field today; List the theranostics approved by FDA for treatment of neuroendocrine tumors and metastatic prostate cancer; Describe emerging theranostics that are in advanced clinical trials around the world; Demonstrate how dosimetry and theranostics can be applied in personalized cancer care.
1:15-2:15

Lunch - SEI 1110
2:15-3:15

Afternoon Oral Presentations - SEI Room 1110

Judges:

Glenn Bauman MD FRCPC - Vice Dean - Clinical Affairs, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University. 

Peter J. H. Scott PhD - Paul L. Carson Collegiate Professor of Radiology, University of Michigan 

Silvia Penuela PhD - Assistant Dean - Translational Research, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University. 
2:15

5. Oneeb Hassan PhD Can. - Examining the role of a pancreas-specific isoform of SPCA2 in pancreatic pathology.
2:30 6. Fatima Santillan Espinoza PhD Can. - Cyclic Peptide Nanotubes for prostate cancer Imaging.
2:45 7. Sumiya Lodhi PGY2 Resident - Targeted Treatment of Solid Tumors with BRAF Fusions: A Systematic Review.
3:00 8. Anayra de Fatima Goncalves Santiago PhD Can. - NF1-Ras/Raf/MEK Signaling is associated With Immune Cell Infiltration in Locally Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.
3:15-3:45

Panel Discussion - SEI 1110

Experimental Agents for the Future

Moderator: Lorin Dodbiba MD

Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to describe the future of cancer therapeutics; Participants will be able to differentiate between various novel experimental agents; and participants will be able to critique the various approaches being investigated for cancer therapy including imaging.

Panelists:

Ricardo Fernandes MD - Medical Oncologist and Fellowship Director

David Laidley MD - Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Physician

Jacques Raphael MD - Medical Oncologist and Director, Baines Centre

Peter J. H. Scott PhD - Chemist and Radiochemist 
3:45-4:30

Presentation of Awards - SEI 1110

Michael Ott - Department of Oncology, Excellence in Academic and Teaching Awards (5)

Glenn Bauman - Centre for Translational Cancer Research, Graduate Trainee Excellence Awards (2)

Morgan Black - Denise Power Cancer Research Staff Award of Excellence (1)

Lorin Dodbiba and Len Luyt - Oral (2) and Poster Presentation Awards (10)
4:30

Concluding Remarks and Adjournment 

Lorin Dodbiba and Len Luyt

*25% of this program is dedicated to participant’s interaction.