Professional and Career Advancement Sessions
The AACR is dedicated to the education, training, and professional development of cancer research investigators and the Professional Advancement Series Sessions are an integral part of the AACR Annual Meeting experience. Organized as a collaborative effort by the AACR Science Education and Career Advancement Committee, Minorities in Cancer Research (MICR) Council, Women in Cancer Research (WICR) Council, and Associate Member Council (AMC), these exciting sessions are available to Annual Meeting registrants who are AACR members free of charge and provide important skills to investigators at all stages in their careers. Email [email protected] with questions.
2025 Professional Advancement Series Sessions
Several exciting and interactive Professional Advancement sessions took place during the in-person AACR Annual Meeting 2025, including one-on-one personal time with esteemed cancer researchers to discuss science and obtain career advice, intimate roundtable discussions on specific topics facilitated by leaders from various sectors, timely panel discussion sessions offering important insights on critical topics to investigators at all stages in their careers.
Grant Writing Workshop: Tips for Success from experienced scientists
This session aims to provide new investigators (postdoctoral fellows and new faculty) practical tools to write competitive grants. Focus is on how to write well for grants, how to structure an aims page to help the reviewer “get” all the information you want them to, and how to write an aims page that makes a reviewer excited about your grant. We will address different types of grants from NIH (Rs, Ks, Fs etc.) as well as grants from other countries. We will also discuss Summary Statements (“pink sheets”) and have a round table where participants can network and ask experienced scientists questions about the grants they are working on.
HOW TO DESIGN A SUCCESSFUL CAREER PATH IN CANCER RESEARCH: THE DO’S AND DON’TS FOR EARLY-STAGE INVESTIGATORS
This session is intended for early-stage investigators to acquire skills and develop key strategies in order to avoid “pitfalls” and develop “alternative” tactics to enhance the probability of success in their first independent leadership position. We have recruited an expert panel of established investigators with invaluable experience on “how to” navigate a successful career in cancer research. This session is designed specifically for those who have already made the transition from trainee to the next career stage inside and outside of academia. This is an absolute must-attend session for all early-stage investigators.
PERSONALIZED CAREER CONVERSATIONS
This session provides a unique opportunity for early-career AACR Associate members to participate in 15-minute one-on-one conversations with distinguished cancer researchers from across various sectors—including academia, government, and industry. Distinguished session chairs will moderate informal discussions on important topics in the general session while one-on-one discussions are underway, and participants will have an opportunity to informally network with peers and members of the organizing groups to gain additional perspectives about various career topics. Pre-registration is required to participate in one-on-one conversations.
NAVIGATING THE PATH TO A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN CANCER RESEARCH
This exciting and interactive session and networking reception provides a forum in which students, early-career researchers, and early-stage investigators can discuss critical career development topics and survival skills during informal mentored roundtable discussions. Tables with pre-determined professional development topics are facilitated by established scientists from a variety of sectors, including academia, government, and industry.
BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE MENTORSHIP TEAM: ESSENTIAL STRATEGIES AT EVERY STAGE IN YOUR CAREER
Navigating a successful career in cancer research, whether in academia, industry, or government, can be daunting. Establishing a team of mentors to guide you along the way is an essential step as you begin your journey. In this highly interactive session, cancer researchers with a strong commitment to mentoring and supporting the professional development of cancer research investigators, will share their knowledge and experience leading mentoring teams. Hear their stories and learn how to build and take full advantage of an effective mentoring team, whether you are a trainee, an early-stage investigator or a later stage investigator considering a career change.
Additional Professional development Opportunities
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP: WOMEN AND POWER-ADVANCING AND SECURING YOUR CAREER IN SCIENCE”
Sponsored by The Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers, in partnership with Pelotonia and AACR-Women in Cancer Research (WICR) This highly interactive, professional development workshop will focus on leadership training for women in science, at all stages of their careers. The four-hour workshop will consist of a plenary session and small group exercises where attendees will hone their ability to recognize their sources of power, understand and leverage their circles of influence to achieve audacious goals, and deepen their connections with female colleagues. The workshop will be led by hfp consulting, a globally-recognized firm who specializes in career development and leadership training exclusively for scientists. Email [email protected] with questions.
Productive Peer Review: Improving Science while Avoiding Common Pitfalls
This interactive session will focus on how to become a proficient reviewer and how to effectively respond to reviewers’ comments. The Editors will share examples and tips for communication, and lead discussions with the session participants. Preregistration is required.