A Hub for Cancer Knowledge and Collaboration
Since 2016, Cancer Core Europe has hosted the Summer School, becoming a reference event for fostering knowledge and collaboration in cancer research. The program offers junior scientists and clinicians from Europe and beyond the opportunity to explore cutting-edge advancements in the field, while engaging in close exchanges with both peers and leading experts.

Held at the PortoBay Falésia Hotel in Portugal, the serene environment provides the perfect backdrop for an immersive learning experience. The combination of an inspiring location and an expertly structured five-day program encourages networking, in-depth interaction, and academic growth. This one-of-a-kind program has already benefited over 450 preclinical and translational scientists, as well as clinician scientists from all over the world.

Former participant Carmen Escudero Iriarte, PhD, from Spain, reflects on her experience:

“During this week, I made professional connections that I still maintain. For instance, I established a valuable research collaboration with Gustave Roussy, and I also met a researcher who will serve on the committee for my upcoming thesis defense.”

Beyond academic learning, the Summer School offers exceptional networking and collaboration opportunities. The program’s collaborative environment encourages participants to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore potential research partnerships. This unique setting fosters connections that extend beyond the event, helping participants build lasting professional relationships. A key benefit of the program is access to world-class experts in various fields of oncology, who are available throughout the week to engage in discussions and provide personalized feedback to participants, further enriching the experience.

2024 Summer School Highlights
The 2024 Summer School attracted 70 participants representing 30 nationalities, providing a global platform for learning and collaboration. The attendees had the opportunity to engage with a distinguished faculty, including renowned experts from Cancer Core Europe member centers and partner institutions.

The program covered a wide array of oncology topics through lectures, workshops, and interactive sessions. Main topics included: precision medicine, AI, clinical trials, early detection and prevention, patient involvement, translational research, aging and cancer, computational oncology, hereditary cancer, tumor microenvironment, advanced therapies and sexual dimorphism.

These sessions not only deepened participants’ knowledge but also inspired discussions around the latest breakthroughs and challenges in cancer research.

Participants in the Spotlight
To recognize and reward remarkable participant research and work, the Summer School encourages both oral presentations and poster sessions as part of the program. Participants vote for the best talk, while a dedicated committee evaluates the posters. Prizes are awarded to the top performers in each category.

This year’s program featured 9 participant talks and 69 poster presentations. Congratulations to Simon Linder from the National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) for winning the Best Participant Talk prize. Additionally, congratulations to the Best Poster Prize winners, Manon de Graaf from the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI), sponsored by Molecular Oncology, Verena Handl from the Medical University of Graz, and Marika Reinius from Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, whose prizes were sponsored by Cancer Core Europe.   

Advancing Cancer Research Through Immersive Learning
Nick Tobin from Karolinska Institutet and Chair of the Summer School Scientific Committee emphasizes how the Summer School embodies the power of immersive learning. Unlike traditional conferences, where individual presentations may feel disconnected, this program allows participants to place their research within the broader context of cancer’s history. The result is an enriched understanding and a commitment to lifelong learning.

By offering a unique blend of education, collaboration, and networking, the Cancer Core Europe Summer School continues to be a pivotal program for advancing cancer research and preparing the next generation of oncology leaders.

Cancer Core Europe Summer School in Translational Cancer Research 2024 was supported by The German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), CCE_DART, Cancer Prevention Europe (CPE), Molecular Oncology. And sponsored by BIOTRIAL, SOPHiA GENETICS and Oxford NANOPORE Technologies.

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