View Larger Image Arkansas’ Leading Cancer Researchers Gather at Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute’s Retreat
Carolina Schinke, M.D., delivers the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Director's Spotlight presentation at the 2025 Research Retreat Image by Bryan Clifton

Arkansas’ Leading Cancer Researchers Gather at Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Retreat

By Marty Trieschmann

| In a strong showing as the state’s leader in cancer research, the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute hosted its annual research retreat May 7 for scientists across the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

Held at the Robinson Center Grand Ballroom in downtown Little Rock, the daylong event served as an opportunity for researchers to collaborate on their latest projects and gain insight into the diverse landscape of cancer research happening across all five UAMS colleges, the UAMS Graduate School and more than 15 departments.

“Our ultimate goal is to reduce the burden of cancer in Arkansas, and research is essential to make that happen,” said Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute and UAMS vice chancellor. “This retreat brings our talented researchers together to strengthen our research programs that now include a lot of exciting new clinical trials and a growing statewide community outreach program.”

With a record attendance of nearly 200 for the retreat’s third year, the day featured nine speakers, three poster sessions and an evening reception. The retreat planning was led by Marjan Boerma, Ph.D., associate director of basic science for the Cancer Institute, and Abigail Saunders, program administrator.

Birrer praised the large crowd of researchers for their progress and impressive momentum to elevate cancer-focused research across UAMS, the result of which is an increase in membership in the Cancer Institute’s research programs that now stands at 187.

“There is no question that our goal is to be one of the nation’s top cancer centers in the areas of research, clinical trials, and cancer prevention and control to address the critical needs of cancer patients living in rural communities,” said Birrer.

There was tremendous excitement at this year’s retreat around the Cancer Institute’s preparations to apply for National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation as early as September 2025. The institute’s push to become the first and only NCI Designated cancer center in Arkansas has attracted the attention of 29 cancer researchers with a combined $13 million in research funding who have joined the institute since May 2020.

Arkansas’ Leading Cancer Researchers Gather at Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute’s Retreat

With a record attendance of nearly 200 for the retreat’s third year, the day featured nine speakers, three poster sessions and an evening reception.Bryan Clifton

The theme of the 2025 retreat, “Developing the Next Generation of Cancer Therapies for Arkansans,” showcased the Cancer Institute’s research efforts to develop new, safe and effective strategies for treating cancers that impact Arkansans. UAMS scientists presented their work across the spectrum from drug discovery and structural biology to community outreach and engagement.

“I applaud what you are doing every day and look forward to ongoing expansion of cancer and cancer-related research at UAMS — whether basic, translational, clinical or health services focused,” said Steven Webber, M.D., executive vice chancellor and dean of the UAMS College of Medicine, in a welcome to attendees. “I appreciate all you do to advance treatments for cancer and to improve the lives of Arkansans and others that we serve.

“Those individuals and their families who have been touched by cancer, and I am sure there are several here today, are relying on all of you, so the burden of responsibility is high. I know everyone here understands that. It is why you are here.”

Carolina Schinke, M.D., co-leader of the Cancer Therapeutics Research Program and a hematologist oncologist in the UAMS Myeloma Center, delivered the Cancer Institute Director’s Spotlight presentation on novel therapeutics in multiple myeloma. Schinke specializes in plasma cell disorders and leads several clinical trials to improve the treatment of multiple myeloma. These trials included therapies with novel immune mechanisms, such as bispecific antibodies and CAR-T cells that have led to significant improvement in patient outcomes.

The keynote presentation was given by Akash Patnaik, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor
of Medicine and co-leader of the Clinical and Experimental Therapeutic Research Program at the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center. Patnaik specializes in the care of patients with genitourinary cancers, including prostate, bladder, kidney and testicular cancers.
As an accomplished physician-scientist, Patnaik’s work focuses on translating novel therapies from the laboratory to early-stage clinical trials.

Dan Dixon, Ph.D., associate director of the Community Outreach and Engagement Program who joined the Cancer Institute in September 2024 from the University of Kansas Comprehensive Cancer Center, updated the audience on the progress of the multifaceted, statewide outreach program that is a major component of NCI designation. Dixon outlined the program’s ambitious goals to:

  • Identify, monitor and evaluate the cancer burden and patient needs in the Arkansas catchment area
  • Promote research that addresses high-priority cancers: lung, colorectal/gastrointestinal cancers, breast, prostate/genitourinary cancers and multiple myeloma
  • Implement cancer prevention and control activities to reduce the cancer burden across the state in collaboration with community partners

The program’s team of nurse and patient navigators led by Dixon work to navigate medically complex cancer patients, as well as support clinical research studies, screening referrals, and cancer education and outreach with a focus on the 54 counties in Arkansas classified as rural.

“We’re working closely with our UAMS regional campuses that serve as hubs for our community navigators and sites for outreach and screening activities,” said Dixon. “Our team will also assist in supporting clinical trials and biospecimen collection at these sites.”

Dixon previewed two promising partnerships in development, one with a large network of federally qualified health centers across Arkansas that will help promote cancer screening to rural patients. Another proposed partnership with a large statewide network of independently owned community pharmacies will also serve as a critical link in communities without primary care facilities.

The Cancer Institute’s impressive outreach efforts since 2022 include 320 events including health fairs, lunch and learns, and mobile screening visits to 65 Arkansas counties, as well as 1:1 navigation of 15,000 residents and 25,000 patients screened for breast, colorectal and lung cancer.

Additional retreat speakers included:

  • Eric Enemark, Ph.D., “Highlights and Capabilities of the Center for Molecular Interactions in Cancer Structural Biology Core”
  • Adam Wolfe, M.D., Ph.D., “Combining SETD2 Inhibition with Radiotherapy: A Synergistic Approach to Rectal Cancer”
  • Jessica Kelliher, Ph.D., “Manipulating DNA Repair in T Cells to Enhance Immunotherapy for Solid Tumors”
  • Cesar Gentille, M.D., “Novel Cancer Therapies in Lymphoma”

A total of 67 research posters were on display during three retreat poster sessions. Winners of the poster contest were Thomas Williams for best graduate student poster entitled, “Defining the role for PCK2 in T-cell metabolic plasticity in the solid tumor microenvironment.” Maha Hanfi, Ph.D., won the best postdoctoral poster for her project entitled, “Discovery of a novel class of dual RET/Aurora B kinase inhibitors with efficacy in lung cancer cells.”