A two-day cancer research meeting bringing together emerging researchers, clinicians and research leaders for scientific exchange, skills development and collaboration.
CSIR International Convention Centre
Pretoria, South Africa
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
Transforming cancer research through empowerment, innovation and equity in South Africa
Project Can-RISE creates a focused space for emerging cancer researchers to strengthen ideas, develop skills and build meaningful research connections.
A two-day meeting for emerging cancer researchers
Project Can-RISE brings together scientific exchange, mentorship, practical skills development, research platform engagement and opportunities for collaboration. Researchers will engage with clinicians, senior researchers, programme leads and other members of the cancer research community.
Supporting research that responds to South African priorities
Cancer research in South Africa sits within a complex health landscape shaped by a growing cancer burden, unequal access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care, and the need for evidence that reflects local populations, health systems and lived realities. South Africa’s National Cancer Strategic Framework highlights the importance of reducing the impact of cancer while improving equitable access across the cancer prevention and control pathway. Project Can-RISE supports emerging researchers to move promising ideas towards stronger research, collaboration, funding and meaningful impact.
Featured sessions
Day 1 explores empowerment, innovation and equity across the cancer research landscape.
Empowerment
Defining the career path towards becoming an established researcher. Topic: Emerging career researcher programmes.
Innovation
Point-of-care diagnostics; therapeutics; AI and digital pathology; imaging modalities; Indigenous Knowledge Systems in cancer research and care; and accessibility around national infrastructure platforms.
Equity
Global surgery, breast cancer surgery; dual health systems in South Africa, public versus private; access to medicines; and rural health systems.
Workshops and incubation
Participants will have access to parallel skills-development opportunities and research platform visits as part of Day 2.
Can-RISE Catalyst Workshop
Where promising ideas become funded collaborations.
A key feature of Project Can-RISE is the workshop and incubation component. Participants will gain practical research skills, receive input on early-stage cancer research ideas and actively develop their thinking through feedback, networking and collaboration. Selected applicants will pitch cancer research pilot study ideas, receive expert feedback, network with other participants, develop collaborative research ideas and apply for seed funding support.
Biostatistics for Cancer Research Professionals
This practical workshop will explore how research questions, study designs and core statistical measures are connected in cancer research. Using practical cancer research examples and case studies, the session will strengthen understanding of how statistical concepts are applied when designing, interpreting and critically evaluating cancer research studies. The workshop will be facilitated by experts from the National Cancer Registry at the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University).
Research platform visits
Participants will have the opportunity to engage with specialised cancer research facilities, technologies and expertise that can support future research planning and collaboration.
Organising committee
The organising committee brings together research, programme and stakeholder-engagement expertise across the Project Can-RISE partner institutions.
Dr Mutsa Takundwa
Senior Researcher
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Research and development, synthetic biology and precision medicine.
Prof Raquel Duarte
Associate Professor; Translational Research Head
University of the Witwatersrand
Translational research and internal medicine.
Dr Aadilah Omar Abdulla
Researcher
University of the Witwatersrand
Oncology laboratory research.
Dr Botle Precious Damane
Head of Medical Research
University of Pretoria &
Steve Biko Academic Hospital
Medical research and surgical sciences.
Prof Ekene Emmanuel Nweke
Associate Professor
University of the Witwatersrand
Surgical research and academic training.
Featured speakers
Meet some of the researchers, clinicians, research leaders, industry experts and advocates contributing to Project Can-RISE 2026.
Dr Rachel Chikwamba
Group Executive: Advanced Chemistry and Life Sciences
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Prof Ntobeko Ntusi
President and CEO
South African Medical Research Council
Dr Stavros Nicolaou
Group Senior Executive: Strategic Trade
Aspen Pharmacare
Prof Sulma Ibrahim Mohammed
University of Florida
Health Cancer Center
Zodwa Sithole
Head of Advocacy
Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA)
Boitumelo Chrysanthemum Ramasodi
Regional Director for Southern Africa
Global Colon Cancer Association
Dr Joseph Chalwe
Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI)
Prof Tivani Mashamba-Thompson
Professor and Founding Director
Centre for Development and Implementation of Point-of-Care Diagnostics
University of Pretoria
Dr Poornima Ramburrun
Senior Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform (WADDP)
University of the Witwatersrand
Dr Maphuti Madiga
Deputy Director: Research Development
Department of Science, Technology and Innovation
Prof Monde Ntwasa
Distinguished Professor: Biotechnology
Acting Executive Dean, College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
University of South Africa (UNISA)
Dr Thulo Molefi
Medical Oncologist
Steve Biko Academic Hospital / University of Pretoria
Dr Benny Mosoane
Pathologist and Lecturer, Anatomical Pathology
University of Pretoria / National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS)
Jesse S. Boehm, PhD
Co-President, Society for Functional Precision Medicine (SfPM)
Principal Investigator, Koch Institute, MIT
Prof Zukile Mbita
Professor of Biochemistry
University of Limpopo
National Cancer Registry
Representative
Questions about Project Can-RISE?
For programme, registration or event logistics enquiries, please contact Daizy Masemola.
daizy.masemola@up.ac.zaPartners and supporters
Project Can-RISE is made possible through collaboration across research institutions, government and supporting organisations.
Event sponsors
Project Can-RISE 2026 gratefully acknowledges the support of the organisations contributing to the meeting.
