University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Cancer Center at Illinois was founded to advance fundamental engineering and basic science discoveries, whose convergence with oncology could transform cancer research, detection, and treatment. In 2010, Director Rohit Bhargava proposed this convergent approach to research and education, and the CCIL became NCI-designated in 2026 as the nation’s 8th basic cancer center.

The CCIL's mission is to unite scientists with expertise in engineering and physical sciences, cancer biology, chemistry, veterinary oncology, and pedagogy to collaboratively relieve the burden of cancer through innovative research and education. The CCIL uses an engineering mindset to create effective, personalized cancer solutions accessible to all people — a comprehensive effort spanning “Discovery to Use.” The CCIL emphasizes inspiring fundamental scientific discoveries, including excellence in imaging technologies, molecular sensing, data science and artificial intelligence, computational modeling, engineering new approaches, cancer biology, and comparative oncology. CCIL rapidly aligns fundamental advances with needs in cancer research and care through its research programs and shared resources, enabling the development of cancer-specific technologies and interventions from the ground up. To advance discoveries to use, the CCIL mobilizes university-wide talent, catalyzes multidisciplinary projects, and forges partnerships with clinical centers and industry. The CCIL is a leading proponent of the emerging area of Cancer Engineering.

The CCIL prioritizes preparing the next generation of cancer researchers, especially in emerging scientific topics. Educational and training programs span every stage of cancer research career development, from elementary school outreach through graduate training and professional preparation, with the goal of building the modern workforce needed to make cancer-free lives a reality.

Research at the Cancer Center at Illinois

The CCIL organizes its research into two interdisciplinary programs — one develops technologies to understand the nature of cancer and invents new diagnostics, and the second uncovers the biological mechanisms of cancer and devises new models and therapeutics. Together, these programs drive discovery from the lab to meaningful patient impact.

Cancer Technology and Data Science Program

The Cancer Technology and Data Science Program develops new imaging techniques, measurement tools, and data analysis methods to better understand the physical and molecular transformations in cancer initiation and progression. Researchers work across the full pipeline, from designing new imaging technologies and computational tools to applying them in clinical settings to enable earlier and more accurate cancer detection and diagnosis. Research emphases include advancing imaging technologies to capture cancer's spatial and molecular characteristics with greater detail, from radiological imaging to emerging digital pathology techniques. Members develop algorithms and computational methods that advance both technologies and models of cancer processes to support drug discovery. Finally, researchers create simple, accessible molecular sensing tools to intercept cancer and deliver actionable information at the point of care.

Cancer Engineering and Biological Systems Program

The Cancer Engineering and Biological Systems Program uses cutting-edge research tools to understand the biological processes underlying tissue organization and cancer initiation and progression, with the goal of accelerating the development and testing of new treatments. Researchers explore biological pathways, develop new cancer-fighting chemical compounds, and build innovative cancer models, including tissue-engineered systems. Drug development is accelerated using comparative spontaneous cancers in pet animals and engineered tumor models to better predict how therapies will perform in humans. Research emphases include designing and synthesizing novel anticancer compounds at scale, with special capabilities in the use of laboratory automation and artificial intelligence to accelerate discovery. Engineering laboratory tumors that closely mimic human cancers and testing therapies in pet cats and dogs, researchers bridge the development gap between the laboratory and human trials. Studying the fundamental biological processes that drive cancer, researchers advance fundamental knowledge and develop better computational tools for simulating cancer from the molecular to whole-tissue levels.
 

* Information on this cancer center profile was provided by the Cancer Center at Illinois.