Bringing together researchers, community leaders and survivors
Contact: Cliff Despres, (210) 616-1024, despres@uthscsa.edu
SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 17, 2026 – To spur solutions to the heavy burden of cancer in South Texas and across the United States, UT Health San Antonio and The Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio are hosting the fifth biennial “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations” conference on Feb. 18-20 at the Plaza San Antonio in San Antonio.
The conference is expected to draw more than 300 researchers, doctors, community leaders and survivors for an open dialogue on the latest cancer research and how to improve cancer outcomes for all people. Media is invited to attend.
“ ‘Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations’ is where we gather to share timely research from every stage of the cancer continuum to improve genetic studies, clinical best practices and community interventions,” said Amelie Ramirez, DrPH, MPH, who founded the conference and directs UT Health San Antonio’s Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR).
Although there has been substantial progress in cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment over past decades, cancer remains a leading cause of death in the U.S. Incidence rates continue to rise for several cancers associated with obesity, including breast, uterus, colon, pancreas, kidney and liver cancers.
In addition, colon cancer now accounts for more cancer deaths than any other cancer among Americans younger than 50.
“Our conference will bring together the top cancer-focused minds in our nation to unpack the drivers of the cancer burden and promote precision medicine,” Ramirez said.
Conference speakers Feb. 18-20 include:
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Lei Zheng, MD, PhD Lei Zheng, MD, PhD, executive director, Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. He will share local efforts to address the cancer burden in South Texas.
- Robert A. Winn, MD, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. He will focus on how to prioritize cancer research and uplifting voices in the face of challenges.
- Leticia Nogueira, PhD, MPH, American Cancer Society. She will explore how extreme weather events can impact cancer control.
- Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable, MD, former leader, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities at the National Institutes of Health. He will focus on tobacco cessation.
- Frank Penedo, PhD, University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. He will focus on cancer survivorship issues.
- Sukeshi Patel Arora, MD, professor, UT Health San Antonio. She will focus on liver and colorectal cancer research.
- Mariana Chavez MacGregor, MD, MSC, MD Anderson Cancer Center. She will focus on bridging national and international cancer research efforts.
- Narjust Florez, MD, FASCO, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center/Florez Lab. She will focus on lung cancer treatment, research and fairness in younger women.
- Ruben A. Mesa, MD, FACP, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center. He will focus on Cancer Center efforts to spur cancer research.
- Carlos L. Arteaga, MD, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center at UT Southwestern. He will focus on Cancer Center efforts to spur cancer research.
- Laura Ortiz‑Ravick, MA, Blood Cancer United. She will explore how to galvanize communities to address challenges to cancer care.
- Elena V. Rios, MD, MSPH, MACP, National Hispanic Health Foundation. She will focus on the public policy implications of cancer and access to care.
“These and other presenters will unveil new lab research, clinical innovations and community projects to stimulate multidisciplinary collaborations for cancer solutions that touch on genetics, biological issues, screening and how to address the non-medical drivers of health that impact incidence and mortality rates and survivorship,” Ramirez said.
The conference scientific planning committee is led by Ramirez as chair, and co-chairs Edward J. Trapido, ScD, FACE, dean and professor, Louisiana State University School of Public Health; and Marcela Mazo Canola, MD, assistant professor, UT Health San Antonio.
The rest of the committee includes:
- Barbara Segarra-Vázquez, DHSc, MT, University of Puerto Rico
- Alejandro Recio Boiles, MD, FACP, University of Arizona
- Maria Constanza Camargo, PhD, National Cancer Institute
- Janeth Sanchez, PhD, National Cancer Institute
- Gerardo Colon-Otero, MD, Mayo Clinic, Florida
- Katherine Y. Tossas, PhD, MS, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Mariana C. Stern, PhD, University of Southern California
- Martin Mendoza, PhD, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Matthew P. Banegas, PhD, MPH, University of California, San Diego
- Patricia I. Moreno, PhD, University of Miami
- Yamilé Molina, PhD, University of Illinois
- Laura Fejerman, MSc, PHD, University of California-Davis
- Mary Jimenez, Community Advisory Board, Mays Cancer Center
- Sandi Stanford, Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation
Conference sponsors include: Genentech; Bristol Myers Squibb; Gilead; Revolution Medicine; Natera; AstraZeneca (platinum); Blood Cancer United; Menarini Stemline; Eli Lilly (gold); National Hispanic Health Foundation (silver); and University of New Mexico, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (amigos).
Also, on Feb. 17, the day before the start of “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations,” conference leaders will host the second Cancer Patient Leadership Training Program.
The training program is a day-long event to guide 16 cancer survivors, including several from Texas, to become patient leaders to advocate for patients and research volunteers.
Each trainee will then attend the conference to enhance their knowledge of cancer research.
The training program is led by Barbara Segarra-Vázquez, DHSc, of the University of Puerto Rico, and Sandi Stanford of the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation and a member of the Community Advisory Board of the Mays Cancer Center. Program sponsors include Exact Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer.
“Our committee and sponsors are excited to celebrate patient leaders and explore new research advancements and collaborations from bench to bedside to survivorship,” Ramirez said.
For more information and to register, visit https://uthscsa.edu/medicine/education/cme/conferences/acr.
The conference hashtags are: #CancerResearchForAll #ACRLP
UT Health San Antonio is the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio), offering a comprehensive network of inpatient and outpatient care facilities staffed by medical, dental, nursing and allied health professionals who conduct more than 2.5 million patient visits each year. It is the region’s only academic health center and one of the nation’s leading health sciences institutions, supported by the schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions, graduate biomedical sciences and public health that are leading change and advancing fields throughout South Texas and the world. To learn about the many ways “We make lives better®,” visit UTHealthSA.org.
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The Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio is one of only four National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Centers in Texas. The Mays Cancer Center provides leading-edge cancer care, propels innovative cancer research, and educates the next generation of leaders to end cancer in South Texas. Mays Cancer Center has a clinical partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center, expanding access to cancer treatments that are among the most advanced in the nation – close to home. UT Health San Antonio is the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio). To learn more, visit https://cancer.uthscsa.edu.
Stay connected with the Mays Cancer Center on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
The Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at UT Health San Antonio investigates the causes of and solutions to the unequal impact of cancer, chronic disease and obesity among Latinos in San Antonio, South Texas and the nation. The IHPR was founded in 2006. UT Health San Antonio is the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio).