Cross-Campus Exchange in Translational Cancer Research
Presenting the latest oncological research findings, discussing ideas, and initiating cross-campus collaborations were the focus of the 12th UCT Science Day held in Frankfurt on June 25, 2025. Approximately 300 junior scholars actively engaged in translational and clinical cancer research – Clinician Scientists and Medical Scientists – accepted the invitation from the University Cancer Center (UCT) Frankfurt-Marburg to join the event at Niederrad Campus, with about one-third coming from institutions in Marburg.
In addition to advancing junior scholars, the Science Day emphasized networking among students, doctoral candidates, and postdocs from University Medicine Frankfurt and Goethe University, as well as fostering connections with the Max Planck Institute in Bad Nauheim, the Paul Ehrlich Institute in Langen, University Hospital Marburg, Philipps University, and other affiliated institutions actively collaborating with Frankfurt researchers on various research projects.
The team of organizers, led by Prof. Dr. Christian Brandts (Frankfurt), Prof. Dr. Elke Pogge von Strandmann (Marburg), Dr. Hannah Uckelmann (Frankfurt), and Dr. Niklas Gremke (Marburg), was delighted by the enthusiastic participation of attendees, who turned out in large numbers despite the high temperatures. “Direct, personal exchange and networking are especially valuable for our early-career researchers. For students and doctoral candidates, it’s also a great opportunity to gain their first conference experience,” said Prof. Brandts. The fact that the 12th UCT Science Day could continue to serve as an accessible and free event for young researchers is thanks to the generous support of the Friends and Sponsors of Goethe University, the German Cancer Aid Foundation, the Horst Westenberger – Frankfurt Foundation for Cancer Research, and the Alfred and Angelika Gutermuth Foundation.
A diverse program offered participants an in-depth look at current developments and the advancement of junior scholars in cancer research at the Frankfurt and Marburg sites, featuring eleven selected talks and 145 posters. Prof. Andreas Trumpp, head of the department “Stem Cells and Cancer” at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, connected ongoing projects from his research group to current cancer research priorities at both sites in his keynote lecture, “From Stem Cells in Leukemia to Neurons in Pancreatic Cancer,” providing fascinating insights.
During two poster sessions, early-career researchers presented their findings from current projects and discovered numerous points of connection and opportunities for collaboration through site-wide exchange. Participants had the chance to vote for their favorite poster in each session. At the end of the day, the posters with the highest overall ratings and the best talk were recognized with the generous support of the Goethe Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE) at Goethe University.
“The UCT Science Day is a day and a place that excellently reflects, strengthens, and further develops the synergies of the close cooperation between Frankfurt and Marburg. We are therefore very excited to host the 13th UCT Science Day next year – the second one at Philipps University Marburg,” announced Prof. Dr. Thomas Wündisch, Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Marburg.
Viktoria Jenkner and Felicitas Cremer
