Jordan Yin, Integrated BSc/MSc student at the University of Ottawa
1. Opening
My experience in the 2026 Summit4CI in Vancouver, BC was a strong reinforcement of why the work that I am conducting matters. Going into the opening night, there was an eager energy in the room, filled with researchers, clinicians, patient partners, and trainees like me. We all gathered with a shared purpose of advancing cancer immunotherapy and patient care.
A particular moment that stayed with me was the story of Haydn Bechthold and his journey with battling cancer. His experience with colorectal cancer, and the way it affected both him and his family, underscored the need to strengthen the connection between patients, families, and scientists so that care and treatment decisions are informed by both lived experience and scientific knowledge. As someone working in the area of cancer immunotherapy, this moment made me realize there is something larger to just the science behind it. It made me reflect on how each experiment, even the ones that may not work, contributes to a broader effort to improve outcomes for patients.
2. The Science
One of the most memorable scientific sessions for me was the talk by Dr. Carolina Ilkow, which focused on engineering CAR-T cells in vivo using RNA platforms. I found this talk especially impactful because it challenged the way I had previously thought about CAR-T cell manufacturing. In this day and age, where science and research is growing faster than ever, being able to engineer within the body using an RNA-based vaccine is so novel. This talk also tied well with the talk about Dr. Just Eyquem, where he talked about the use of CRISPR editing to reprogram T cells both ex vivo and in vitro.
What really stood out to me was the shift toward engineering T cells directly in vivo, rather than relying exclusively on traditional ex vivo approaches.. This discussion reframed cancer immunotherapy not only as a strategy for enhancing immune recognition, but allows therapies to be more scalable and accessible. The possibility of reprogramming T cells within the body felt especially exciting because it suggests a future where engineered immune responses could be generated more efficiently and potentially reach more patients. This felt particularly relevant to my own work because my project also explores how immune responses can be shaped indirectly through small extracellular vesicles and SMAC mimetics, highlighting the broader idea that cancer immunotherapy is moving beyond simply targeting tumour cells and toward actively reprogramming the immune system itself.
3. HQP Development
Day After two years of attending the Summit4CI, HQP Development Day has always been my favourite part of the Summit. When I was helping to plan the HQP development day, we had so many ideas and I fondly remember that I was so excited even bouncing ideas around. It gives a space for trainees to think about their research training, career development, and the realities of academia and industry. One piece of advice that stayed with me was to not be afraid to train and conduct research outside of Canada. This resonated with me because much of my planned training has been centred in Canada, particularly in Ontario. However, the panel I moderated with Marcus Liang, featuring Dr. Alan Melcher and Dr. Awen Gallimore, helped shift my perspective on what international training can offer.
Their advice reminded me that going abroad for research is not just about leaving one institution for another; it is about exposing yourself to different scientific environments, techniques, mentorship styles, and ways of thinking. Training in another country can broaden how you approach research questions, introduce you to methods or technologies that may not yet be widely used at your home institution, and help you build collaborations that extend beyond national borders. More importantly, it allows you to bring those skills and perspectives back to your own research community. For me, this reframed international training as an opportunity to grow as a scientist while also contributing something valuable to the institutions and networks that shaped me.
Overall, the day made me feel more intentional about how I want to grow as an HQP.
4. People and Connections
One of the most meaningful parts of Summit4CI was the opportunity to connect with people at different stages of their careers. Whether during lunch, poster sessions, or informal conversations after the sessions, the Summit created an environment where trainees could ask questions, share experiences, and learn from one another.
A conversation that stayed with me was with Dr. Lee-Hwa Tai, an Associate Professor at the Universté de Sherbrooke about becoming an academic principal investigator. Her reflections helped me better understand that becoming a PI involves much more than developing scientific expertise. It also requires learning how to lead a team, mentor trainees, build collaborations, be able to secure funding, and create a research environment where people feel supported and motivated.
From the inside, the HQP community at Summit4CI felt super eager and ambitious. There was a sense of continued learning and curiosity towards the field of cancer immunotherapy.
5. Looking Forward
As the 2026 Summit4CI came to an end, I left the conference feeling challenged and motivated compared to when I arrived. Before the Summit, I was thinking about the amazing research that would be presented and how I was nervous in hosting an HQP session. By the end, I found myself thinking more broadly about clinical translation, the art of collaboration, and my overall career direction.
As a result of the Summit, I am thinking differently about how fast the field of immunotherapies are growing. I am also more excited to continue exploring the area of in vivo CARs, especially in the context of patient benefit and care.
For an HQP who is unsure about attending next year, I would tell them that Summit4CI is more than a scientific meeting. It is a space to learn, reflect, meet people, and reconnect with the purpose behind the work. Even one talk, one conversation, or one piece of advice can stay with you long after the Summit ends.
Closing Sentence
Overall, the 2026 Summit4CI reminded me that cancer immunotherapy research is driven not only by scientific innovation, but also by collaboration, mentorship, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of patients.