Public invited to learn from top cancer experts at Weinman Symposium, Jan. 21-23 at UH Cancer Center
27 presentations over 3 days focus on interaction between genetic, environmental factors in disease
January 17, 2026
HONOLULU — The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center proudly announces the 17th Annual Barry & Virginia Weinman Symposium, January 21-23, 2026, at the Sullivan Conference Center on the UH Cancer Center campus in Kakaʻako. This distinguished international scientific conference will bring together leading researchers and clinicians from around the globe to share cutting-edge discoveries in cancer genetics and environmental carcinogenesis — the interaction between genetic and environmental factors that influence cancer risk and treatment outcomes.
The Weinman Symposium offers 27 presentations spread over the three days; the full schedule can be viewed at WeinmanSymposium.com. The event is free and open to the public, and high school and college students with an interest in science and medicine are especially encouraged to attend.
17th Annual Barry & Virginia Weinman Symposium
- Wednesday, January 21 – 8 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. program
- Thursday, January 22 – 8 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. program
- Friday, January 23 – 7:55 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. program
Sullivan Conference Center at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
701 Ilalo Street, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813
Free admission
WeinmanSymposium.com
“Our annual Weinman Symposium drives scientific innovation — it fosters an extraordinary exchange of ideas among top scientists from around the globe,” said Dr. Michele Carbone, Director of Thoracic Oncology at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, and primary organizer of the Weinman Symposium since its inception. “The goal is to promote collaboration among top physicians and scientists from different fields of medicine to find new ways to fight cancer. Several new discoveries in cancer research in recent years were born during and because of the Weinman Symposium. This event also inspires the next generation of researchers and clinicians here in Hawaiʻi and beyond.”
This year’s Weinman Symposium presenters hail from across the United States, Europe and Asia. Some of the UH Cancer Center’s own experts also will be among the speakers, including Dr. Naoto Ueno, Director of the UH Cancer Center; Dr. Michele Carbone and Dr. Haining Yang.
Among the highlights:
- Friday, January 23, 9:55 to 11 a.m. – Roundtable discussion with Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green about the future of cancer research, in the midst of significant federal funding cuts. The discussion will include Dr. Sujuan Ba, President and CEO of the National Foundation for Cancer Research; Dr. Web Cavanee, Director of Strategic Alliances, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research; Dr. Carlo Croce, Professor, Cancer Biology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Weinman Award recipient Dr. Antoni Ribas (described below).
- Friday, January 23, 11:15 a.m. – Weinman Award presentation: Gov. Green will present this year’s prestigious Weinman Award to Dr. Antoni Ribas, MD, PhD, who for over two decades has been at the forefront of understanding melanoma biology, investigating how the disease interacts with the immune system, and translating his research into new treatments. Ribas is Professor, Surgery; Professor, Molecular and Medical Pharmacology; and Director, Tumor Immunology Program, at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is also Director, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Center at UCLA.
The symposium is named in honor of two of its two late co-founders, Barry and Virginia Weinman, who passed away in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Weinmans were active champions not only of the UH Cancer Center, but also the UH Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine.
The Weinman Symposium is supported by a donation from Barry and Virginia Weinman. Additional sponsors this year include The Queen’s Medical Center and the Wiley Press Advanced Portfolio. The Weinman Symposium since its inception has been organized by Dr. Michele Carbone, with help from Dr. Haining Yang and Executive Assistant Cathy Zhang of the UH Cancer Center.
For more information, including the full schedule and list of speakers for the 17th Annual Barry & Virginia Weinman Symposium, visit WeinmanSymposium.com.
View the XVII Weinman Symposium Program for a full list of topics
