Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance

The Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance harnesses the intellectual power of more than 30 research teams in fields spanning microbiology, veterinary oncology, neuroscience, psychology, and engineering

Recent Discoveries and Other News

Meet the Alliance: View Researcher Directory

Lectures and Events: See what's coming up

2023 Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance Retreat

Two million people in the United States alone are projected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2023. More than a half million will die. Investigators from Virginia Tech, its clinical partner Children’s National Hospital, and other institutions gathered on the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus in Washington, D.C., in May to foster collaboration to combat the deadly disease.

Speakers, a mix of scientists and physicians conducting clinical trials, described innovative therapy types, fresh biological targets, and new technologies in the hopes of fostering collaborations between scientists and institutions.

“This type of interdisciplinary collaborative science that eschews administrative and disciplinary boundaries is at the heart of what Virginia Tech is about," said Michael Friedlander, executive director of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech’s vice president for health sciences and technology, and founder of the Cancer Research Alliance.

About the Research Alliance

The Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance - a Virginia Tech Health Sciences and Technology Initiative - is cross-disciplinary team of cancer scientists who are introducing novel preventions, diagnostics, and therapeutics for a variety of cancers. The initiative, led by Virginia Tech's Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology, Michael Friedlander, Ph.D., was launched in 2019 to elevate cancer research projects across the university and encourage new collaborations.

From building microchips that detect epigenetic modifications in the mechanisms underlying cancer, to modulating the environmental factors and human behaviors that influence a patient’s risk, Virginia Tech researchers explore the basic biology, risk factors, and clinical interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality in humans and pets.

Our Vision

The Alliance strives to position Virginia Tech to become an international leader in cancer research - creating leading-edge diagnostics, preventions, and treatments for the future.

All Virginia Tech faculty members who study aspects of cancer are invited to join the Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance to spur new research collaborations and elevate the university's concerted efforts to end cancer.

Alliance Leadership

Researcher Directory

A Virginia Tech Health Sciences and Technology Research Initiative

The Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance was formed in 2019 under the Office of the Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology, Michael Friedlander, Ph.D. It is co-directed by Dr. Dervisis, Dr. Finkielstein, Dr. Lamouille, Dr. Munson, and Dr. Slade.