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NCCN Foundation Announces 2026 Young Investigator Awards

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), an alliance comprising prominent cancer centers, has released its recipients for the 2026 Young Investigator Awards. This annual initiative aims to fuel the careers of early-stage researchers who are contributing vital work in oncology. This year's recipients were selected through a stringent peer-review process conducted by the NCCN Oncology Research Program (ORP), which will oversee their progress for the next two years.

The 2026 awardees are:

• - Monica F. Chen, MD (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

- Research: Investigating CXCR2 Inhibition in conjunction with Proton Craniospinal Irradiation for melanoma patients with leptomeningeal disease.

• - Yang Chen, PhD (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

- Research: Focused on targeting fibroinflammation to prevent resistance against KRAS inhibition in pancreatic cancer patients.

• - Scott Furlan, MD (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center)

- Research: Exploring age-specific and shared stem-like programs driving relapse in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cohorts.

• - Emily L. Podany, MD, MPHS (Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine)

- Research: Creating navigation interventions for breast cancer patients facing high-risk social determinants of health, from screening to action.

• - Satoru Osuka, MD, PhD (O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB)

- Research: Examining tumor-matrix-binding TGF-β scFv to suppress TGF-β signaling pathways in recurrent glioblastoma cases.

In her statement, Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, CEO of NCCN, emphasized the importance of nurturing emerging leaders in cancer research. "The Young Investigators we honor today exemplify dedication and innovation in tackling critical cancer-related challenges. Their projects aim to produce meaningful advancements that will lead to improved outcomes for patients. We are privileged to support their endeavors as they embark on this career journey, anticipating their contributions to the field," she remarked.

Patrick Delaney, Executive Director of the NCCN Foundation, also praised this year’s awardees, recognizing their significant potential. "Every grant we provide is an investment in both the researchers and their pioneering ideas. We remain steadfast in our commitment to developing these future leaders in oncology research. Notably, previous awardees include esteemed figures like Dr. Denlinger, demonstrating that our initiative successfully cultivates high-caliber talent in cancer care."

This year’s awards stem from the support of several partners, including Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Daiichi Sankyo, the Edith C. Blum Foundation, Exelixis, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., and Pfizer Inc. Launched 15 years ago, the Young Investigator Awards have continually aimed to recognize and support the innovators in oncology, ensuring a sustained pipeline of future success stories in combatting cancer.

The upcoming NCCN 2029 Annual Conference will feature presentations from this year's recipients, showcasing their critical work. For those interested in past winners, detailed information is available at NCCN.org/YIA, alongside resources for supporting ongoing research initiatives through the NCCN Foundation.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) is a nonprofit alliance of leading cancer centers dedicated to advocating quality, effective, equitable, and accessible oncology care. Its existence aims to elevate patient care and education while fostering vital research initiatives across the industry. For more details, please visit NCCN.org.

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The NCCN Foundation is devoted to empowering individuals with cancer and their caregivers, offering expert guidance and funding for promising young researchers to further cancer treatment advancements. To learn more about the foundation, please check nccnfoundation.org.