Fueling the Future: Empowering Emerging Voices in Cancer Informatics

Building a Space to Change the Culture


Monthly Webinar

Every 2nd Monday 12 PM Pacific / 3 PM Eastern

Objective & Aims

The primary mission of the Fueling the Future initiative is to advance Ci4CC’s commitment to strengthening pathways into Cancer Informatics by developing partnerships that increase awareness and knowledge among the next generation of cancer informaticians and data scientists, with a very special focus on barrier reduction and community representation. The goal is to support entry into the fields of Cancer Informatics, Artificial Intelligence in Oncology,  Advanced Data Science, and Translational Research through coordinated strategic actions and collaborations that foster partnerships, provide training and mentorship opportunities, and promote best practices.


By working collectively, we aim to broaden future participation within Ci4CC, its member institutions, and the broader cancer informatics community. We invite you to join us as we lay the foundation for clearer, more accessible pathways into cancer informatics, clinical trials, and biomedical research.


Strategic Goals

  • Partnerships: Establish formal collaborations with cancer centers, universities, and industry partners.
  • Education and Mentoring: Deliver webinars, workshops, and mentoring programs that expose students and early-career professionals to career paths and opportunities.
  • Awareness and Best Practices: Share program models and document lessons learned to scale successful approaches.


Initiative Leads

  • Chair:  Marvin Rothwell, PhD.  Duke CCC
  • coChair:  Sorena Nadaf-Rahrov, MS, MMI.  Ci4CC
  • coChair:  Warren Kibbe, PhD.  National Cancer Institute
  • coChair:  Madhu Behera, PhD.  Winship CCC Emory University
  • coChair:  Shannon McWeeney, PhD.  OHSU Knight CCC
  • Vacant Seat coChair:  HBCU Representative TBF
  • Vacant Seat coChair:  CRTEC Representative TBF
  • Vacant Seat Member:  Cancer Center Representative from University of California System TBF
  • Vacant Seat Member:  Cancer Center Representative from University of Texas System TBF


External Advisory Committee

  • John Carpten, PhD.  City of Hope CCC. 
  • Robert Winn, MD.  VCU CCC
  • Suresh Ramalingam, MD, PhD.  Winship CCC Emory University
  • Vacant Seat: Cancer Center Executive Leader Representative TBF
  • Vacant Seat: Cancer Center Executive Leader Representative TBF
  • Vacant Seat:  Life Sciences Executive Leader Representative TBF

2026 Launch Plans

Build a community of CI4CC members and institutions to join in ideation & lessons learned discussions to understand the landscape of existing programs and expand the reach and impact of these programs.

  • 1st Phase
  • Send out communication via the CI4CC listserv to gather initial interest in being a part of this initiative
  • Expand Steering Committee
  • Join Ci4CC Slack Channel / GoogleDocs Project Folder
  • Launch monthly webinar through CI4CC towards open discussions on what is taking place elsewhere and opportunities that exist to grow collaboration.
  • Conduct a breakout sessions during Spring and Fall in person Summits and Workshops


Please send your interest to MaryJo@ci4cc.org