Cancer Research Summer School 2026

Cancer Research Summer School 2026 – Advanced Methods in Cancer Research will take place on 20–21 August, at Auditorium SN201 Snellmania building, Kuopio Campus. 

The program will highlight state-of-the-art methods for studying cancer biology. The scientific scope includes advanced in vitro techniques, cutting-edge in vivo approaches, and the rapidly evolving area of spatial and single-cell technologies in both genomics and proteomics. In addition, the program will address computational and AI-assisted methods that are increasingly integral to modern cancer research.

Session topics 

• In vivo models for cancer research
• Advanced in vitro models to study cancer
• Single cell and spatial technologies in cancer research
• Computational systems medicine and AI approaches in cancer research 
• Biobanks enabling translational cancer research

Confirmed speakers

• Arafath Kaja Najumudeen (University of Helsinki)
• Henriikka Hakomäki (University of Eastern Finland)
• Ahmed Al-Samadi (University of Eastern Finland)
• Caroline Heckman (University of Helsinki) 
• Anna Vähärautio (University of Helsinki) 
• Minna Kaikkonen-Määttä (University of Eastern Finland)
• Tero Aittokallio (University of Helsinki / University of Oslo)
• Mariike Kuijjer (University of Helsinki / University of Oslo) 
• Juha Väyrynen (University of Oulu) 
• Vittorio Fortino (University of Eastern Finland)
• Piia Mikkonen (Finnish Biobank Cooperative)
• Jussi Rytkönen (Charles River)

The program of Summer School will be updated shortly on this page.

Participation in Summer School is free of charge to all participants. There is a €20 dinner fee to Summer School Dinner on Thursday August 20^th at 19 in restaurant Luoto.

Registration

Registration for Summer School is open until 11 August. You can register here: Advanced Methods in Cancer Research 2026 | Registration form.

The Organizing Committee invites you to participate actively in this Summer School which will be an extraordinary occasion for the exchange of thoughts and experiences. We look forward to receiving abstracts for consideration and inclusion in the scientific programme as an oral or a poster presentation. 

Abstract submission

The abstract submission deadline for oral or poster presentation is 5 August. You can submit your abstract via this form: Advanced Methods in Cancer Research 2026 | Abstract form.

• The acceptance of presentation is informed by 11.8. to the participants.
• The short presentation time is 15 minutes, including questions and answers. 
• The maximum size of the poster is width 110 cm, and height 160 cm.

Cancer Research Summer School is organized jointly by Cancer RC and Biobank of Eastern Finland, and it is open for students, postdocs, and anyone interested in the latest's advancements in modern biomedical techniques.

Please note that registration and abstract submission have separate forms!

Further information

For more information, please contact Maarit Sillanpää, maarit.sillanpaa (at) uef.fi or Anna-Liisa Levonen-Harju, anna-liisa.levonen-harju (at) uef.fi.