ANTONI RIBAS
University of California, Los Ángeles
Dr. Antoni Ribas is one of the key pioneers of modern immunotherapy. His work was critical in demonstrating the clinical efficacy of antibodies that laid the foundation for today’s immunotherapy and helped secure their approval as treatments for advanced melanoma. His leadership in anti–PD-1 trials—such as those involving pembrolizumab—and in new strategies for cell-based immunotherapies has made him a central figure in the field. He has also played an important role in advancing more sophisticated CAR-T therapies, specifically tailored to solid tumors, which remain one of the biggest challenges in cancer treatment. Beyond developing new therapies, Dr. Ribas promotes a vision of translational research as a real bridge between the lab and the patient. He leads several programs at UCLA, has served as President of the AACR, is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Medicine, and has received some of the most prestigious awards in cancer research.
DANIEL J. pOWELL, jr
University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Daniel J. Powell, Jr. is a key international figure in the field of cancer immunotherapy and cell-based treatments. His work has been fundamental to the development of adoptive T cell therapies, particularly for solid tumors that are difficult to treat. As a Professor at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, he carries forward the legacy of Dr. Carl H. June, a pioneer of CAR-T therapies, by designing next-generation treatments that improve the precision and effectiveness of these groundbreaking approaches. His research focuses on making CAR-T cells more flexible and personalized, aiming to overcome current limitations in the treatment of various types of cancer. These advances have led to patents, international collaborations, and translational studies that are already influencing clinical practice. Dr. Powell is a strong advocate for collaboration between researchers and clinicians as the only way to achieve real progress for patients. His work is a clear example of how close cooperation between physicians and basic scientists can drive treatments forward and overcome previously unthinkable barriers.
REGINA BARZILAY
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston
Dr. Regina Barzilay is one of the world’s leading figures in applying artificial intelligence to cancer diagnosis and treatment. After experiencing breast cancer herself, she identified a major gap between the potential of AI and its real clinical use, which led her to develop solutions grounded in patient needs and perspectives. At MIT, her team has developed tools like MIRAI, a system that predicts breast cancer risk years before standard methods. Her focus goes far beyond technical progress—she seeks to make a tangible impact on patients’ lives through earlier, less invasive, and more personalized interventions. For her pioneering work, she has received some of the most prestigious awards in AI and medicine, including the MacArthur Fellowship, the AAAI Squirrel AI Award, and the IEEE Frances E. Allen Medal. She is also a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Engineering. At MIT’s Jameel Clinic, she leads a close collaboration between clinicians, scientists, and patients, aiming to bring algorithms from lab to clinic. Barzilay believes that only when technology is built from medical experience and patient perspective can it truly transform lives.
TERRI cONNERAN
Founder of KRAS Kickers, San Francisco)
Terri Conneran is one of the most influential global advocates in lung cancer and the founder of KRAS Kickers, a worldwide community of patients, caregivers, and researchers focused on KRAS mutations. She has transformed her personal experience and journey into a powerful engine for change, helping to bring patients into the heart of research, from clinical trial design to drug development. Her work has shifted the narrative around KRAS alterations, which for a very long time have been considered “undruggable,” by creating a global movement that pushes innovation from outside the lab with urgency, clarity, and impact.
EDUARDO BALSA
Leader of the Mitochondrial dysfunction inmetabolic diseases group at the Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO) in Madrid
Dr. Balsa’s team focuses on mitochondrial metabolism in health and disease. His group uses cutting-edge genetic tools, including CRISPR/Cas9, to systematically investigate mitochondrial genes crucial for energy production, particularly oxidative phosphorylation, which powers cellular functions. His research is uncovering new mitochondrial proteins and pathways that link metabolism, inflammation, and tumor biology. By revealing how these alterations drive disease, Balsa aims to provide essential insights into the mechanisms of metastasis and identify novel therapeutic opportunities.
Rebeca González Guerrero
Researcher at the Centre Méditerranéende Médecine Moléculaire (C3M) in Nice, France.
Dr. González Guerrero is associated with the Neurosciences Institute CSIC-UMH, and is an awardee of the CRIS Out-Back Programme, which grants young promising researchers an abroad post-doc and ensures their comeback to Spain. She employs advanced techniques to investigate the complex interactions between melanoma tumors and the immune system. Her research aims to uncover mechanisms of therapy resistance and identify novel strategies to enhance immunotherapy efficacy in melanoma treatment.
LUCIA FERNÁNDEZ CASANOVA
Researcher at the CNIO (Spanish National Cancer Research Centre)
Dr. Lucía Fernández is a researcher at the CNIO (Spanish National Cancer Research Centre) specializing in cell therapies for pediatric cancer. She has played a leading role in developing innovative CAR-T cell therapies specifically designed to address the unique challenges of treating childhood leukemias and brain cancers, including the adaptation of NKG2D-CAR T memory cells for pediatric application. Her work focuses on optimizing CAR-T protocols and validating clinical-scale production methods, aiming to make these advanced therapies safer and more widely accessible for young patients who lack other therapeutic options.
Luis Gerardo Rodríguez Lobato
Hematologist and specialist in the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Unit at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona.
Dr. Luis Gerardo Rodríguez Lobato is a hematologist and specialist in the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Unit at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, with research leadership in multiple myeloma and amyloidosis. His work centers on clinical and translational approaches to treating hematologic malignancies, designing more advanced CAR-T cells that can recognize multiple tumor antigens and remain active longer. His main goal consists of addressing tumor immune escape and making cell therapy more effective for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.
María Casanova Acebes
Leader of the Cancer Immunity Group at the CNIO (Spanish National Cancer Research Centre)
Dr. Casanova-Acebes’ laboratory integrates tumor immunology and circadian biology to uncover mechanisms of cancer progression and open novel therapeutic opportunities. She investigates how myeloid cells, especially macrophages, drive tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis, using advanced technologies such as single-cell transcriptomics and spatial analysis. In parallel, her group explores how circadian rhythms influence cancer and immunity, showing that tumors can disrupt immune clocks to escape detection and that aligning immunotherapies with daily cycles enhances their effectiveness. This creative and original integration of tumor immunology offers great potential in understanding how to treat cancer.
kathy chan
Leader of the Experimental and TranslationalTheranostic Group at the Institute of Cancer Research, London
Dr. Kathy Chan is a radiochemist and Group Leader at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), where she leads the Experimental and Translational Theranostic Group. Her work focuses on developing radiopharmaceuticals that combine cancer imaging and targeted cancer therapy, with a particular focus on aggressive and treatment-resistant tumors. She has pioneered radiotheranostic match-pairs such as ¹⁸F- and ¹²³I-labeled PARP inhibitors, including the novel compound KK02. Her approach enhances precision and reduces toxicity, with applications across multiple cancer types. Dr. Chan holds patents for her innovations and received a CRIS–PCF Young Investigator Award for her contributions to translational oncology.
