Rogel Cancer Center Research

Excellence in Research, Education and Outreach

The U-M Health Rogel Cancer Center is designated by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, a distinction held since 1991. Our excellence in clinical research, laboratory research, education, community outreach, and cancer prevention and control have led to this distinction.

Patients: start here

Outstanding Research-Driven Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Research

Through our focus on team science and research excellence, we aim to be a national leader in cancer prevention, early diagnosis, optimal treatment and survivorship care.

Learn more about our research programs

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Education

Committed to training next-gen cancer doctors & researchers, we also offer training opportunities including access to funding and seminars.

Learn more about educational opportunities

People

Encompassing researchers from more than 50 departments across 9 University of Michigan schools, we are harnessing the power of one of the largest, most robust and highly esteemed research universities in the world to create new knowledge about cancer.

Meet our members and learn more about membership

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Shared Resources

Rogel Cancer Center research members benefit from our shared resources. These labs provide state-of-the-art services and technologies that deliver empowering and cost-effective support to our clinical, population and basic science investigators.

Browse our offerings

Dr. Eric Fearon, director of the Rogel Cancer Center

About

In addition to our research, education and patient care programs, our leaders guide the Rogel Cancer Center to meet the needs of expanding cancer populations.

Meet our leaders and learn more about our mission

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Patient Care

Our dedicated cancer teams provide personalized treatment plans for our patients.

View our cancer specialties and services

Collaboration Leads to Scientific Breakthroughs

Our members, including clinicians, researchers and other scientists, maintain a very collaborative relationship across all areas of the Rogel Cancer Center. Encompassing members from more than 50 departments across 9 University of Michigan schools, we are harnessing the power of one of the largest, most robust and highly esteemed research universities in the world to create new knowledge about cancer.

Meeting Needs across Expanding Cancer Populations

To meet the needs of the ever-expanding cancer populations, the Rogel Cancer Center has determined overarching initiatives across our research programs:

Implement innovative initiatives intended to improve our ability to prevent cancer and diagnose cancer at earlier and more treatable stages
Increase efforts to engage and positively impact the patients and population we serve
Pursue new cancer education and training initiatives
Support clinical cancer research more efficiently and effectively
Treat cancer more effectively with new agents and approaches

How our research informs treatment

Become a research member

Work With Us

Privileges of research members include priority access to Center‐funded Shared Resources and other facilities at favorable rates, clinical research support for protocol development and management, and members‐only funding opportunities. Other opportunities may include participation in shared‐interest affinity groups, leadership roles, and support in cancer career development.

NOTE: Available to University of Michigan faculty only

Open and complete the application

Our affiliated research centers

Founded by Sidney and Madeline Forbes, the Forbes Institute for Cancer Research was launched in 2016 with a particular focus on translating the most promising laboratory research into new therapies that benefit patients.

Learn about the Judith Tam ALK Lung Cancer Research Initiative which focuses the collaboration between researchers from different disciplines to study how ALK lung cancer develops and what are the best treatment options for patients.

Dominik Awad, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher at the Rogel and Blondy Center for Pancreatic Cancer, studies the connection between the microbiome and cancer metabolism. His work may impact how pancreatic cancer develops and responds to therapy.

Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE)

Our cancer center leads three Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) grants by the National Cancer Institute. These grants are in:

Sharing our research progrss

Every year, Rogel Cancer Center celebrates important advances in research. This past year has been marked stellar efforts from our teams to accelerate progress in patient care, research, training and outreach to communities across Michigan.

Read the 2025 issue.

You can also browse our archive of past issues.

Get Rogel news in your inbox

We have three e-news letters dedicated to informing patients (Thrive); researchers and those interested in our research (Illuminate); and the community as a whole (Connect).

Sign-up for newsletters

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Giving to the Rogel Cancer Center

Every gift matters as we work to transform the lives of patients and families facing cancer. Consider helping us as we work on making the next significant breakthrough in cancer research and therapy, training the next generation of game-changers in the field, and providing the very best care for our patients.

Learn how you can help

Listen to our most recent podcasts

Listen to all Cancer Aware episodes

Cancer Aware

CAR T-cell Therapy

Using one's cells to attack and treat cancer continues to grow. Cellular therapy and in particular CAR T-cell therapy offers new opportunities to adult and pediatric patients with blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. Dr. Monalisa Ghosh, Rogel Cancer Center oncologist talks about these treatments and and the future of cellular therapy.

Cancer Aware

Cutting edge treatment for advanced colon cancer

Andrew Sweeney, now 35, was aware of his risk for colorectal cancer – his mother had had been diagnosed with it when she was 41. When he was 31, a CT scan at University of Michigan Health’s University Hospital revealed that Sweeney had a mass in his colon and potential metastases in his liver and lymph nodes. A colonoscopy confirmed that he had stage 4 colorectal cancer. After 1.5 years of chemotherapy, his care team began discussing how they could remove the damaged parts of Sweeney’s liver. They developed a colorectal cancer liver transplant protocol from a deceased donor and Sweeney was the first patient to undergo a liver transplant in Michigan for colon cancer. After minor recurrences of tumors in his lung in 2024, which were treated by surgery and radiation, his scans have been clear.

Cancer Aware

Pathology’s Role in Cancer Care

After a patient has a biopsy, the samples are sent to pathology to determine if it is cancerous or not as well as how aggressive it is. Many patients will see their results before hearing from the medical team in their patient portal – leaving them anxious or confused on what it all means. Pathologist, Dr. Cathyrn Lapedis, talks about the role of pathology in a patient’s care plan, as well as new ways to help patients when they get results before their physician is able go over to help them with anxiety and to be better informed about their potential diagnosis.

News & Stories

View all Rogel Cancer Center articles

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Health Lab

Nanoparticles genetically modify several human cell types

In a demonstration that helps pave the way for gene therapies with fewer side effects, several human cell types were genetically modified with protein nanoparticles designed at University of Michigan Engineering and Michigan Medicine.

A nurse leans over the bed of a patient who is covered up and wearing a neck brace. They appear to be having a pleasant conversation.

Philanthropy News

Giving with gratitude: planned gifts support nursing, research, and patient care

Retired businessman and Detroit Tigers fan Paul Hansen has created three planned gifts to support prostate cancer research, nursing scholarship support, and adult cerebral palsy research at Michigan Medicine.

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Health Lab

Study sheds light on how early pancreas lesions become cancerous

Why many precursor lesions never develop into pancreatic cancer, according to findings from Michigan Medicine.

Health Lab

Phase 1 trial of alrizomadlin shows promise in targeting metastatic salivary gland cancers

University of Michigan researchers, in partnership with Ascentage Pharma, developed a drug known as alrizomadlin, or APG-115, to target metastatic salivary gland cancers.

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Health Lab

Urine-based test detects aggressive prostate cancer

Researchers at have validated a previously developed urine test, which can potentially bypass invasive procedures for prostate cancer detection among men who are unlikely to benefit.

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Health Lab

New dual-target drug may help overcome immunotherapy resistance in pancreatic cancer

U-M researchers developed a new strategy to improve immunotherapy treatments for pancreatic cancer.

Cancer Survivors' Day Celebration

Survivors Day is FREE and open to anyone impacted by cancer. So please free free to bring your family, friends, loved ones, or anyone touched by cancer. This is a day of activity, community, food, and fellowship taking place on June 7, 2026 from Noon to 3:30pm.

Swim Across America: Motor City Mile

Established in 2019, Swim Across America - Motor City Mile has raised over $600,000 to support the Rogel Cancer Center. Each year we host swimmers and volunteers, spectators and supporters, as well as Olympians near and far at our annual charity event. Please join us for our 8th annual swim at Belle Isle Beach.