Co-Hosted by:
Course Description
Join leading clinicians, researchers, and innovators for a comprehensive symposium focused on the latest scientific advances and clinical applications in cellular therapies. This collaborative forum will showcase cutting-edge basic and translational research, emerging technologies, and real-world clinical insights across hematologic cancers, solid tumors, and immune-mediated conditions.
Designed to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and strategic partnerships, this event offers a unique opportunity to accelerate the development and implementation of transformative cellular therapies. Engage with thought leaders, share expertise, and explore collaborative pathways that drive innovation from laboratory discovery to patient care.
Register now to contribute to medical innovation, improve patient outcomes and shape the future of cellular immunotherapy.
RETURNING this year: The Jonas Center Cellular Therapy Satellite Symposium for Research trainees
-Half-day research symposium geared towards research trainees and fellows
-Delve into the latest advancements, trends, and challenges shaping the field of cellular therapy
-All trainees are encouraged to submit an abstract describing their original basic science or translational cellular therapy research
-Abstracts will be chosen for either oral or poster presentation
-Exemplary abstract submissions may be selected to receive a Jonas Center Travel Grant to support attendance at the symposium
AGENDA
September 25, 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 8:30AM | Registration, Exhibits, & Breakfast |
| 8:30 – 8:40AM | Welcome and Introductions Peter Riedell, MD University of Chicago |
| Session 1: Innovations in Cellular Therapy for Pediatric and AYA Populations | |
| 8:40 – 8:45AM | Introduction to Session Faculty moderator: James LaBelle MD, PhD University of Chicago |
| 8:45 – 9:15AM | Armoring Strategies for CAR T Cells to Treat Solid Tumors Andras Heczey, MD Seattle Children's Research Institute |
| 9:15 – 9:45AM | Talk #2 Bilal Omer, MD Texas Children's Hospital |
| Janet Rowley Keynote Lecture | |
| 9:45 – 9:50AM | Presentation of Janet Rowley Award John DiPersio, MD, PhD WashU Medicine |
| 9:50 – 10:30AM | From Specificity to Scalability: Reframing TCR Biology for Cancer Immunotherapy Christopher Klebanoff, MD Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center |
| 10:30 – 10:50AM | BREAK |
| Session 2: CAR-T for Multiple Myeloma: Understanding Novel Targets and Toxicities | |
| 10:50 – 10:55AM | Introduction to Session Faculty moderator: Benjamin Derman, MD University of Chicago |
| 10:55 – 11:25AM | Talk #1 Eric Smith, MD, PhD Dana-Farber Cancer Institute |
| 11:25 – 11:55AM | Talk #2 Joseph Fraietta, PhD University of Pennsylvania |
| 11:55 – 1:00PM | LUNCH |
| Jonas Memorial Keynote Lecture | |
| 1:00 – 1:05PM | Presentation of Jonas Memorial Award Michael Bishop, MD University of Chicago |
| 1:05 – 1:45PM | Bridging the Gap: Leveraging Virus-Specific T Cell Platforms for Tumor Immunotherapy Catherine Bollard, MD Children's National Hospital |
| Session 3: Advancing Cellular Therapy in Autoimmune Disease | |
| 1:45 – 1:50PM | Introduction to Session Faculty moderator: Nirav Shah, MD, MS Medical College of Wisconsin |
| 1:50 – 2:20PM | The Ins and Outs of Antigen-Specific CAR T Cell Therapy for Neuroinflammatory Diseases Gregory Wu, MD, PhD WashU Medicine |
| 2:20 – 2:50PM | Talk #2 Gwen Binder, PhD Cabaletta Bio |
| 2:50 – 3:10PM | BREAK |
| Session 4: Beyond CAR-T: Alternative Effector Cells in Cancer Immunotherapy | |
| 3:10 – 3:15PM | Introduction to Session Faculty moderator: Brian Betts, MD Roswell Park |
| 3:15 – 3:45PM | Talk #1 Carl DeSelm, MD, PhD WashU Medicine |
| 3:45 – 4:15PM | Talk #2 Melissa Mavers, MD, PhD WashU Medicine |
| Debate Topic: Should Allogeneic CAR-T Replace Autologous CAR-T in B-NHL? | |
| 4:15 – 4:20PM | Introduction to Session Faculty moderator: Renier Brentjens, MD, PhD Roswell Park |
| 4:20 – 4:35PM | In Favor of Autologous Therapy Marco Davilla, MD, PhD Roswell Park |
| 4:35 – 4:50PM | In Favor of Allogeneic Armin Ghobadi, MD WashU Medicine |
| 4:50 – 5:00PM | Voting and Q&A |
| 5:00 – 5:05PM | Closing Remarks Peter Riedell, MD University of Chicago |
