Leaders in Cancer Research and Care to Converge at Annual Nixon National Cancer Conference

Speakers include national leaders in cancer detection and research, award-winning journalists & NFL star

The third annual Nixon National Cancer Conference will be held at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum on January 17 and 18, 2024.

First convened at the Nixon Library on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the National Cancer Act of 1971, the Nixon National Cancer Conference is an annual commitment by the Richard Nixon Foundation to honoring the past, addressing the present, and shaping the future of cancer research and care. 

The 2024 Nixon National Cancer Conference is expected to gather more than 250 distinguished cancer center directors, executives, scientists, researchers, experts, academics, authors, journalists, political and public officials, philosophers, ethicists, activists – the entire universe of the cancer field.

The Conference will open with a dinner sponsored by City of Hope Orange County, Title Sponsor, on January 17 at 5:30 p.m. PST. 

During the opening night dinner, the Richard Nixon Foundation will present the inaugural Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach Award to Dr. William Li. Dr. Li, a distinguished physician, scientist, speaker, author, and founder of the nonprofit Angiogenesis Foundation, will be recognized for his outstanding contributions to cancer treatment. The award recognizes individuals whose work has significantly impacted cancer research and treatment, alleviated suffering, extended and saved lives, and whose visionary outlook continues to be a source of inspiration.

Panel discussions and a luncheon will occur in the morning and afternoon on January 18, starting at 9:00 a.m. PST. Keynote speakers are featured across the two days. 

Additional sponsors include the Hoag Family Cancer Institute, UCI Health, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital of Orange County and the Farmers and Merchants Bank Foundation.

Primary areas of emphasis include:

Precision Oncology: Tailored Care for Better Outcome
Discover the forefront of cancer care in our panel discussion, delving into precision oncology and targeted therapies, where experts explore the personalized approach to transforming treatment strategies for better patient outcomes.

AI Revolution in Oncology: Transforming Care
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the landscape of oncology, offering promising solutions for early detection, treatment planning, predictive analytics, and enhancing the delivery of oncology care. Leading experts will explore the multifaceted role of AI in the field of oncology.

Navigating the Patient Journey: Insights and Impact
The cancer care journey is a profound and often challenging experience for patients and their families. This panel brings together a diverse group to explore the patient’s perspective, emphasizing the significance of patient-centric approaches in oncology care.

The Gut Microbiome in Oncology: A Catalyst for Research and Innovation
Explore the burgeoning field of gut biome research in oncology, uncovering how the microbiome shapes cancer development, influences treatment responses, and ultimately impacts patient outcomes.

Confirmed Participants include:

• Christina M. Annunziata, MD, PhD – Senior Vice President of Extramural Discovery Science at the American Cancer Society
• Anna Barker, PhD – Chief Strategy Officer, Ellison Institute, Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Complex Adaptive Systems, Arizona State University
• Chris Draft – International Lung Cancer Advocate & 12 year NFL Linebacker
• Mauro Ferrari, PhD  – Former President, European Research Council President and CEO, BrYet US; Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Washington
• Douglas Flora, MD, LSSBB, FACCC – Executive Medical Director Oncology Services Editor-in-Chief of AI in Precision Oncology
• Julie Louise Gerberding, MD, MPH – President and Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health
• Clifford Hudis, MD, FACP, FASCO – Chief Executive Officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
• Sunny Jain  – Founder and CEO of Floré by Sun Genomics
• Edward S. Kim, M.D., M.B.A., FACP, FASCO – Vice Physician-in-Chief and Professor, City of Hope National Medical Center, Physician-in-Chief and Senior Vice President, City of Hope Orange County, and the Construction Industries Alliance City of Hope Orange County Physician-in-Chief Chair
• William W. Li, MD – New York Times bestselling author of “Eat to Beat Disease” and Chief Executive Officer and President of The Angiogenesis Foundation
• Douglas Lowy, MD – Principal Deputy Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Chief of the Laboratory of Cellular Oncology in the Center for Cancer Research at NCI
• Joan Lunden –  Award-winning journalist, author and breast cancer survivor
• Marlene Malek, Vice Chair and Co-Founder of Friends of Cancer Research
• Linda Malkas, PhD – Dean, Translational Science, External Affairs, M.T. & B.A. Ahmadinia Professor in Molecular Oncology, City of Hope
• Edward L. Nelson, MD, FACP – Chief Hematology/Oncology Division Professor, Dept. of Medicine, School of Medicine and Dept. of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine
• Peter Pisters, MD – President of The University of Texas MD Anderson Center
• Elizabeth R. Raskin, MD  – Surgical Director for the Margolis Family Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Program, part of the Hoag Digestive Health Institute
• Ellen Sigal, PhD  – Chairperson & Founder of Friends of Cancer Research
• Lilibeth Torno, MD – Medical Director of Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC and Chief of Pediatric Oncology at CHOC and UCI
• Andrew Trister, MD, PhD – Chief Scientific Officer at Verily
• Marcel van den Brink, MD, PhD  – President of City of Hope Cancer Center and National Medical Center, Chief Physician Executive and the Deana and Steve Campbell Chief Physician Executive Distinguished Chair
• Andrew von Eschenbach, MD – former Director of the National Cancer Institute

Steering Committee

• Ann Barker, PhD
• Melanie Eisenhower, MS, CCLS
• William Li, MD
• Marlene Malek, RN
• James V. Mazzo
• Ellen Sigal, PhD
• Andrew C. von Eschenbach, MD

Honorary Congressional Host Committee

• Hon. Jim Baird
• Hon. Stephanie Bice
• Hon. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter
• Hon. Joni Ernst
• Hon. Brian Fitzpatrick
• Hon. Lance Gooden
• Hon. Josh Gottheimer
• Hon. French Hill
• Hon. Young Kim
• Hon. Angus S. King, Jr.
• Hon. Michael Waltz
• Hon. Debbie Wasserman Schultz
• Hon. Bruce Westerman 
• Hon. Roger Williams
• Hon. Joe Wilson

National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Center Directors Attending:

• Brian J. Druker, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University
• Raymond N. Dubois, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of SC
• Peter Pisters, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Ze’ev Ronai, Sanford Burnham Presbyterian Medical Discovery Institute
• Steven T. Rosen, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Richard Van Etten, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCI

Sponsors

• City of Hope Orange County, Title Sponsor
• Hoag Family Cancer Institute
• UCI Health
• Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
• The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Children’s Hospital of Orange County
• Farmers and Merchants Bank Foundation

Those who would like to attend in person can register here.

The conference is available to livestream:
January 17- Opening Dinner
January 18- Panels and Luncheon 

This conference is open to press. To request media credentials, please contact: Joe Lopez at [email protected] or 714-364-1147.