Report on the CCC-N Young Cancer Scientist Symposium 2026

By Ankit Goswami, Santhiya Rajan, and Nehir Ekin Sahin

The CCC-N Young Cancer Scientist Symposium 2026, organized by Prof. Dr. Günter Schneider and PD Dr. Anna Saborowski as well as Shreya Chakraborty, Lisa Wende, Lily Sophie Rose and Nehir Ekin Sahin once again provided a dynamic and inspiring forum for young scientists to present their work, exchange ideas, and build interdisciplinary networks. Held on April 17, 2026, at  Hannover Medical School (MHH), this year’s symposium brought together doctoral students, early career researchers, and medical students from across the CCC-N network and beyond.

This year’s symposium stood out for its strong scientific contributions and collaborations. Major highlights were the keynote lectures delivered by leading experts in their fields, Prof. Dr. Frank Buchholz (TU Dresden) and Prof. Dr. Ana Martin-Villalba (DKFZ Heidelberg). Professor Buchholz, who is Head of Translational Research and Professor for Medical Systems Biology at TU Dresden, provided valuable insights into gene editing platforms for innovative health solutions, highlighting the transformative potential of gene editing technologies in advancing precision medicine. Prof. Dr. Ana Martin-Villalba, who leads the Molecular Neurobiology Division at DKFZ Heidelberg, presented her work on the molecular regulation of stem cell quiescence, activation, and plasticity, emphasizing their reversibility and relevance to cancer. The thought-provoking presentations from both the keynote speakers sparked lively discussions and encouraged participants to challenge conventional research paradigms.

Each year, the CCC-N Young Cancer Scientist Symposium provides participants with the opportunity to present their research in poster sessions and selected short talks, which form a central part of the program. A substantial number of KFO5002 (6) and RTG2978 (16) members attended the symposium with posters highlighting their active role in advancing cancer research. Two KFO5002 doctoral researchers, Jonas Buchloh,Jessica Grabowski and Maj-Britt Paulsohn, were selected to present their projects as short talks, all stimulating discussion and receiving excellent feedback from the audience. Several of these contributions were further recognised with awards:  Xin Fang (KFO5002) received the Best Poster Award, while Jessica Grabowski (KFO5002) was honoured with the Best Talk Award. In addition, KFO5002 members also played a key role in organising the event, with Nehir Ekin Sahin (KFO5002, RTG2978) contributing to both the planning and moderation of the symposium.

This strong presence of the KFO5002 and RTG2978 members reflects their commitment to training the next generation of cancer researchers and emphasizes their integral role within the broader CCC-N center of excellence. 

We extend our sincere thanks to all participants for their enthusiasm and contributions and look forward to building on this momentum and continuing the success of the symposium in the years to come!