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 Sriram Venneti, MD in the lab Maize Block M Rogel Cancer Center University of Michigan Health

Outstanding Research-Driven Cancer Prevention and Treatment
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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
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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
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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
2025 Illuminate cover

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).

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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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Philanthropy News

Gifts advance colon cancer prevention and early detection

The Rose and Lawrence C. Page, Sr. Family Charitable Foundation supports lifesaving colon cancer research at Michigan Medicine.
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News Release

ASCO 2026 Rogel Recap

U-M Rogel Cancer Center researchers participated in oral presentations, poster sessions and panel discussions at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual (ASCO) Meeting.
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Health Lab

Study explains how colorectal cancer cells maintain high iron levels

How colorectal cancer cells maintain high iron levels, according to Michigan Medicine research.
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Illuminate

Helping Patients Make Longer-term Treatment Choices During Survivorship

Researchers at the Rogel Cancer Center are studying why some breast cancer survivors continue endocrine therapy beyond five years while others stop, aiming to improve survivorship support and coordinated care for patients managing long-term treatment side effects.
Illuminate

The Next Generation 2026

Rogel Cancer Center is committed to training future cancer researchers and care providers, and this article highlights three outstanding emerging leaders.
 Nisha D'Silva, BDS, MSD, PhD sits next to a microscope
Illuminate

An Elegant Dance

Rogel Cancer Center researcher, Nisha D’Silva, BDS, MSD, PhD, explains that cancer neuroscience explores the two-way relationship between cancer and the nervous system, showing how nerves can affect tumor behavior locally and throughout the body.

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.