Events

Englander Institute for Precision Medicine Seminar Series “From Organoids to Algorithms: Translational Platforms for Precision Oncology in Solid Tumors” Presented by Marianna Kruithof-de Julio, Ph.D. Professor of Experimental Urology, Director, Cancer Translational Research Program, Director, Organoid CORE, University of Bern, CH. Biography: Marianna Kruithof-de Julio is a Professor of Experimental Urology and Director of the Cancer Translational Research Program at the University of Bern. She leads the Urology Research Laboratory and the Organoid Core Facility, developing patient-derived organoid and organ-on-chip models to better understand cancer and support therapy decisions. Her work focuses on prostate, bladder, renal, and pancreatic cancers, combining advanced technologies such as spatial transcriptomics and AI-driven histopathology with functional drug screening. In addition to her research, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of Gene and is Founder of OnconiX, committed to translating science into practical solutions that improve patient care. Abstract: The complexity of solid tumors such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and bladder cancer (BLCa) demands integrative approaches that combine biological fidelity with computational power. Here we outline a multi-modal translational framework that leverages patient-derived organoids, spatial transcriptomics, microfluidic platforms, and artificial intelligence to accelerate personalized cancer therapy development. Feasibility trials in PDAC have demonstrated the successful acquisition of high-quality biopsies for downstream applications, including organoid generation and spatial profiling. These models recapitulate key histopathological and molecular features, enabling functional drug screening and predictive modeling. AI-based classifiers trained on transcriptomic data further stratify tumors by therapeutic response, even in cases where organoid derivation is not feasible. Complementing this, the iBloC (immune Bladder-on-Chip) platform introduces a microfluidic system tailored for bladder cancer, simulating tumor-immune interactions under physiologically relevant conditions. This chip-based model supports dynamic drug testing and real-time molecular analysis, bridging the gap between preclinical research and clinical application. Together, these platforms represent a scalable and clinically relevant pipeline for precision oncology, integrating experimental and computational tools to guide individualized treatment strategies.

Englander Institute for Precision Medicine – AI Clinic Join us for our AI Clinic meeting on Wednesday, January 28th at 2:00pm ET. Topics of Discussion for this week: Consent form translation and web app creation using Claude 4.5 Opus. Session Leaders: Olivier Elemento, PhD Director of the Englander Institute for Precision Medicine Associate Director of the Institute for Computational Biomedicine Professor of Systems and Computational Biomedicine Professor of Computational Genomics in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Weill Cornell Medicine John-William Sidhom, MD, PhD Clinical Fellow, Hematology & Medical Oncology Weill Cornell Medicine NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital AI Clinic Info: EIPM's bi-weekly sessions (Wednesdays at 2pm-3pm) aim to enhance how we use LLMs for complex tasks, including coding. They will serve as a collaborative space for hands-on troubleshooting, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning. Who is this for? This clinic is designed for our entire scientific and clinical community, with a special emphasis on trainees (students, postdocs, residents and fellows). It is the perfect forum for: Researchers and Scientists looking to apply LLMs to data analysis, coding challenges, or manuscript writing.Clinicians interested in exploring how AI tools can securely optimize research and workflows.Trainees seeking a supportive, hands-on environment to learn and get guidance on applying advanced LLMs to their specific projects.What participants can expect from these sessions: Collaborate with our most LLM-proficient team members (“Super-Users”) to troubleshoot and refine their work.Present real challenges they are encountering (e.g., coding issues, complex prompts, workflow optimization).Potentially share “micro-presentations” when someone discovers a new model, feature, or technique.Our goals are to: Build internal expertise and share best practices. Help participants overcome real technical challenges, and create a community of practice around practical AI use. We are currently seeking Super-Users who demonstrate expertise in coding and experience with AI tools such as Chat GPT 5.2, Gemini 3.0, & Claude 4.5 Opus. We are also seeking participants who are looking for troubleshooting guidance. All skill levels are welcome, from beginners to advanced users. Reach out to Victoria Cummings (vjc4001@med.cornell.edu) should you have any questions or inquiries.

Englander Institute for Precision Medicine Journal Club “Spatial Transcriptomics Reveals Tryptophan Metabolism Restricting Maturation of Intratumoral Tertiary Lymphoid Structures” Published CancerCell, June 2025 Presented by: Liron Yoffe, PhD Assistant Professor of Radiation Biology in Radiation Oncology, Assistant Professor of Systems and Computational Biomedicine, Englander Institute for Precision Medicine Thursday, January 29, 2026 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET Weill Greenberg Center, Y1301 (13th Floor) https://weillcornell.zoom.us/j/92600608747 Zoom Meeting ID: 926 0060 8747

Precision Medicine Research Conference Thursday, February 5, 2026 1-2PM Belfer Research Building, Room 1401 and via Zoom “Advancing Cancer Care Through Clinical Whole Genome Sequencing Clinical Significance and the Role of Genetic Counseling” Presented by Daniela Guevara, MD Instructor in Medicine, Englander Institute for Precision Medicine & “What You See is [Not] What You Get: Ancillary Testing in the Pathology of Renal Cell Carcinomas” Presented by Brian Robinson, MD Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Weill Cornell Medicine * This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™*

Englander Institute for Precision Medicine Journal Club “Quantitative Characterization of Cell Niches in Spatially Resolved Omics Data” Published Nature, March 2025 Presented by Isha Monga, PhD Bioinformatics Analyst, Howard Fine Lab Thursday, February 5, 2026 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET Belfer Research Building, Room 1401 https://weillcornell.zoom.us/j/92600608747 Zoom Meeting ID: 926 0060 8747

Englander Institute for Precision Medicine Seminar Series "Best Practices for AI and Complex Modeling in Support of Precision Medicine” Presented By: Constantin Aliferis, MD, PhD Chief Research Informatics Officer, Clinical Translational Science Institute Director, Institute for Health Informatics, University of Minnesota