When Jingjing Sun, PhD joined the University of Nebraska Medical Center in September 2023 as an assistant professor in the UNMC Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, she was eager to expand her research network and collaborations. That opportunity came through the Upper Midwest Emerging Scholars Exchange Program – Dr. Sun was the first scholar to be selected into the program from the UNMC and the National Cancer Institute-designated Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
The Upper Midwest Emerging Scholars Exchange is a new effort by regional cancer centers to support the career development of early-stage investigators. The program, organized at UNMC by the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center’s Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination team, brings together four partner cancer centers for monthly meetings, overseeing the scholar selection process and working closely with research program leaders to identify early-stage faculty members who would gain the most from these opportunities.
“One of the biggest challenges new investigators face is expanding their network, which takes time, especially while they are still establishing visibility and credibility,” Dr. Sun said.
In May, Dr. Sun was invited to present at the University of Minnesota’s Masonic Cancer Center.
“This program has transformed my opportunities,” she said. “Presenting my research in a new academic environment gave me invaluable experience in communicating science to diverse audiences and helped strengthen my professional reputation. Invited seminars like this are often seen as a mark of recognition in the field. The visit connected me with colleagues I might never have met otherwise. Since then, I have submitted two collaborative proposals with Masonic Cancer Center researchers, and several exciting projects are in development.”
Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center Associate Director for Workforce Development and Engagement Priscila Rodrigues Armijo, MD, said the program’s mission is to empower the next generation of cancer leaders.
“It gives early-career faculty a regional platform to showcase their work, receive mentorship and build meaningful professional connections,” she said.
Recently, Jessica Lang, PhD, exchange scholar from the University of Wisconsin’s Carbone Cancer Center, visited the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and presented her research on how ovarian cancer cells develop resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy through genomic structural variants and epigenetic rewiring.
“Having opportunities to present seminars beyond your home institution is an important part of training for early-stage faculty,” said Joyce Solheim, PhD, associate director for training and education at the cancer center. “It provides experience in communicating science to diverse audiences, helps build a track record of seminar invitations, which are recognized as evidence of reputation in the field, and contributes to a strong research portfolio that supports career advancement – all while receiving guidance from experienced mentors.”
Sandipan Brahma, PhD, of the UNMC Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, represented the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center when presenting his work on chromatin regulation of cancer at the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center on Oct. 31.
Cancer center leaders encourage all UNMC assistant professors involved in cancer research to apply to the Upper Midwest Emerging Scholars Exchange program. See the website for details on how to apply.
“As more early-stage investigators join the program, a vibrant and interconnected cancer research community is taking shape across the Upper Midwest, fueled by fresh ideas and shared ambition,” said Dr. Joann Sweasy, director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
Upcoming visiting scholars’ seminar presentations at UNMC include:
- Ting Fu, PhD – Carbone Cancer Center (Nov. 13, 2025). Event details
- Stefani Thomas, PhD – Masonic Cancer Center (Apr. 9, 2026). Details to come
Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center members presenting at other institutions include:
- Grinu Mathew, PhD, assistant professor, Eppley Institute – University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center (Apr. 15, 2026)