Advancing Precision Cancer Care Through Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Pittsburgh, PA
September 18, 2026
September 18, 2026
Advancing the Diagnostic-to-Treatment Continuum in Cancer Care –
Pittsburgh
Where translational science meets compassionate care
Pittsburgh’s strong foundation in biomedical research and clinical innovation makes it an ideal setting to bring together leaders in oncology, pathology, and precision medicine. This complimentary, CME-accredited conference will highlight emerging advances in molecular diagnostics, artificial intelligence–driven analysis, and biomarker-guided therapies that are reshaping cancer care.
The program will be co-chaired by Marija Balic, MD, PhD, MBA, Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and a breast medical oncologist at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, whose research focuses on translational breast cancer biology and the use of circulating tumor DNA and genomic technologies to guide therapy.
Joining her as co-chair is Adrian V. Lee, PhD, Pittsburgh Foundation Chair and Director of the Institute for Precision Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, and Professor of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology and Human Genetics. Dr. Lee’s work focuses on translating molecular and genomic discoveries into precision therapies for breast cancer and improving the integration of genomics into clinical care.
Together with an expert faculty of clinicians and translational scientists, this program will explore how advances in diagnostics, genomics, and multidisciplinary collaboration are accelerating the delivery of personalized cancer treatment from the laboratory to the clinic.
Agenda
| September 18, 2026 All presentations to take place in Ballroom North unless otherwise noted. | |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Registration & Check-in |
| 8:25AM | Welcome and Introductions Marija Balic, MD, PhD, MBA, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; Adrian V. Lee, PhD, Institute for Precision Medicine |
| 8:30 AM | Breast Cancer: Biomarkers and Methodologies Rohit Bhargava, MD, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital |
| 8:50 AM | HFO Breast Cancer: Keynote Address Steffi Oesterreich, PhD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center |
| 9:10 AM | Breast Cancer Back to the Future Nolan Priedigkeit, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute |
| 9:30 AM | Insight Into UPMC Network Rushir Choksi, MD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; Stanley M. Marks, MD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center |
| 10:00 AM | Exhibits/Breakfast |
| 10:10 AM | Non-CME Session – (Ballroom South) |
| 10:50 AM | Exhibits/Break |
| 11:00 AM | Lung Cancer Liza C. Villaruz, MD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center |
| 11:20 AM | Colorectal Cancer: Biomarkers and Methodologies Stanley R. Hamilton, MD, FCAP, AGAF, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 11:40 AM | Precision Oncology in Gastroesophageal Cancer: Biomarkers and Emerging Targeted Therapies Anwaar Saeed, MD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center |
| 12:00 PM | Genitourinary Cancer Leonard J. Appleman, MD, PhD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center |
| 12:20 PM | Gynecologic Cancer Sarah E. Taylor, MD, PhD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center |
| 12:40 PM | Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Marija Balic, MD, PhD, MBA, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center |
| 1:00 PM | Exhibits/Lunch |
| 1:10 PM | Non-CME Session – (Ballroom South) |
| 1:50 PM | Exhibits/Break |
| 2:00 PM | Advances in MRD and Liquid Biopsy in Precision Oncology Adrian V. Lee, PhD, Institute for Precision Medicine |
| 2:20 PM | Precision Oncology: Community Setting vs. Large Academic Institutions Adrian V. Lee, PhD, Institute for Precision Medicine; Dhaval R. Mehta, MD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; Shannon L. Puhalla, MD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center |
| 2:50 PM | Hematology John C. Byrd, MD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center |
| 3:10 PM | Panel Discussion: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities in Precision Oncology Marija Balic, MD, PhD, MBA, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; Adrian V. Lee, PhD, Institute for Precision Medicine |
| 3:40 PM | Adjourn |
Speakers
THE LOCATION
Fairmont Hotel
510 Market Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222






















