Conference Committees

The success and impact of the Canadian Cancer Research Conference is driven in large part by our committees, representing advocates and leaders in cancer research from across Canada. Their time, thoughtfulness, and expertise are deeply appreciated.

Executive Planning Committee (EPC)

The Executive Planning Committee ensures the organization of a relevant and engaging conference. It is responsible for overseeing the development of support opportunities and logistical aspects of the conference.

	Co-Chair Fei-Fei Liu, MD, FRCPC, FASTRO, FCAHS  Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Cancer Research  Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto  Radiation Oncologist & Senior Scientist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre – University Health Network
	Co-Chair Paula J. Robson PhD CHE  Scientific Director, Cancer Research and Analytics Cancer Care Alberta  Alberta Health Services

Kimberly Badovinac 
Canadian Cancer Research Alliance, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer 

Judy Bray
Canadian Cancer Society

Darren Brenner 
Co-Chair, Scientific Program Committee (SPC)

Spencer Gibson
Co-Chair, Scientific Program Committee (SPC) 

Christy Holtby 
Alberta Cancer Foundation 

Rosilene Kraft 
Patient Partner, Chair, PIP Working Committee

Raja Mita 
Alberta Innovates

Paul O’Connell 
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada 

Dajan O’Donnell 
Cancer Research Society 

Rebecca Tamarchak
Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Chantale Thurston 
Patient Partner, PIP Working Group

Jim Woodgett 
Terry Fox Research Institute
Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute

Scientific Program Committee (SPC)

The Scientific Program Committee spearheads the development of scientific content by identifying novel session themes, chairs, and speakers, and overseeing abstract review and selection.

	Co-Chair Darren Brenner, PhD  Associate Professor, Departments of Oncology and Community Health Sciences  Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute   Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
	Co-Chair Spencer Gibson, PhD   Dianna and Irving Kipnes Endowed Chair in Lymphatic Disorders  Professor, Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta  Adjunct Senior Scientist, Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute, CancerCare Manitoba

Touati Benoukraf, PhD, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Jennifer Brooks, PhD, University of Toronto

Dean Chamberlain, PhD, University of Saskatchewan

Jennifer Chan, MD, University of Calgary

Adrienne Co-Dyre, Patient Partner, PIP Working Committee

John Corriveau, Patient Partner, PIP Working Committee

Stephanie Grover, MSc, CCRP, PMP, ACCESS

Bishal Gyawali, MD, PhD, Queen’s University

Jody Haigh, PhD, University of Manitoba

Angeline Letendre, RN, PhD, Co-Chair, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Working Group

Madeline Li, MD, PhD, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre – University Health Network; University of Toronto

Kiven Erique Lukong, PhD, University of Saskatchewan

Rebecca Mercer, PhD, Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control (ARCC)

Hermann Nabi, PhD, HDR, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval; Université Laval

Hanna Ostergaard, PhD, University of Alberta

Christian Steidl, MD, PhD, BC Cancer

Robin Urquhart, PhD, Dalhousie University

Josie Ursini-Siegel, PhD, McGill University

Linda Watson, PhD, Alberta Health Services

Patient Involvement in Cancer Research Program (PIP) Working Committee

The PIP Working Committee provides direction on the PIP program format, process and materials and oversees the implementation of the 2025 PIP Program. The current members of the Committee are listed here. 

First Nations, Inuit and Métis Working Group 

This group promotes and strengthens First Nations, Inuit and Métis participation in cancer research and provides advice on integrating culture, participation of First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners and involving Elders, knowledge keepers, patients, families and traditional healers.  

	Co-chair Angeline Letendre, RN, PhD  Interim Chair of the Indigenous Cancer Research Network
	Co-chair Judy Inugjuaq Clark  Inuit Community Health Advisor, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer