PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA — The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) named five early-career researchers as recipients of its 2026 NCCN Foundation Young Investigator Awards, providing funding to support oncology research over a two-year period.
The awardees were selected through the NCCN Oncology Research Program, which will oversee the projects and provide guidance throughout the program.
The 2026 recipients are Monica F. Chen of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Yang Chen of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Scott Furlan of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center; Emily L. Podany of Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine; and Satoru Osuka of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Their research projects focus on areas including melanoma, pancreatic cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, breast cancer care delivery, and glioblastoma.
Crystal S. Denlinger, CEO of NCCN, said the selection process identifies emerging leaders in oncology research.
“NCCN Young Investigators go on to lead within their institutions and nationally,” Denlinger said.
The awards are funded by the NCCN Foundation with support from multiple organizations, including Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Daiichi Sankyo, Exelixis, Merck & Co., and Pfizer.
The Young Investigator Awards program was established 15 years ago to support early-career researchers and strengthen the pipeline for cancer research.
Recipients will present their findings at the NCCN Annual Conference in 2029.
Additional information about the program and past recipients is available at https://www.nccn.org/YIA and https://www.nccn.org/Foundation.
NCCN is a nonprofit alliance of cancer centers focused on research, education, and the development of clinical guidelines for cancer care.
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