In a significant development for cancer research leadership, Dr. Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS, has been elected as vice president and president-elect of the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) Board of Directors. Dr. Ulrich currently serves as the chief scientific officer and executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah. Her election by peers marks recognition of her transformative contributions to colorectal cancer epidemiology and public health strategies that have influenced cancer prevention and policy on a global scale.
Dr. Ulrich’s extensive research portfolio reflects a pioneering effort to decipher the complex interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental factors in colorectal cancer. Her work emphasizes the impact of lifestyle elements, such as physical activity, obesity, and diet, in modulating cancer risk and patient outcomes. By coordinating international, multicenter studies, she has facilitated cross-continental collaboration, thereby enriching the scientific community’s understanding of cancer epidemiology and enhancing equitable healthcare delivery.
With over 500 scientific publications and leadership in more than two dozen grant-funded projects, Dr. Ulrich embodies a career devoted to elucidating cancer’s multifactorial etiology. Her academic journey began as a Fulbright scholar from Germany, progressing to her status as a Jon M. and Karen Huntsman Presidential Professor in Cancer Research at the University of Utah. She has emerged as a key figure in translating bench research into community-level cancer prevention and survivorship programs.
Ulrich’s vision extends beyond research. As the executive director of the Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Comprehensive Cancer Center—a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated facility—she oversees more than 300 research teams. Her leadership is particularly distinguished for expanding access to cancer care and clinical trials across rural and frontier regions. The strategic expansion of the institute’s service area to five states, including Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming, represents the largest geographic coverage by any NCI-designated cancer center in the United States. This expansion addresses a critical barrier in oncology: geographic disparities in access to cutting-edge cancer interventions.
Her role within the AACI aligns with the organization’s mission to accelerate cancer research and facilitate partnerships that enhance care quality nationwide. The AACI represents a coalition of over 100 cancer centers in North America, fostering the sharing of innovations to transform cancer treatment paradigms. Dr. Ulrich’s election signals a commitment to further unite these centers in the fight against cancer, catalyzing policy initiatives and collaborative research endeavors at national and international scales.
Ulrich’s leadership is amplified by her involvement in prominent cancer research organizations. She has held positions within the American Association for Cancer Research, European Association for Cancer Research, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Most recently, she was appointed chair of the National Cancer Advisory Board Working Group, a committee tasked with advising the National Cancer Institute on research priorities. This role places her at the nexus of policy and scientific innovation, directly influencing the future direction of cancer research funding and focus areas.
Her research contributions delve deeply into the genetic and environmental risk factors that predicate colorectal cancer. Through epidemiologic studies, Ulrich has dissected the influence of modifiable lifestyle factors, employing large-scale, multicenter cohorts to uncover mechanisms by which diet and physical activity modulate tumor biology and patient prognosis. These insights lay the groundwork for public health strategies aimed at cancer prevention and improving survivorship quality, underscoring the critical link between epidemiological data and translational science.
Beyond scientific research, Dr. Ulrich champions accessibility and equity in cancer care. Rural and frontier populations often encounter significant obstacles—including travel distance and limited healthcare infrastructure—that hinder participation in clinical trials and access to innovative therapies. Under Ulrich’s guidance, Huntsman Cancer Institute has developed pioneering outreach programs and telemedicine initiatives to surmount these challenges, ensuring that underserved communities benefit from advances in precision oncology and prevention.
Her visionary leadership is widely recognized by her peers. Bob Carter, MD, PhD, CEO of University of Utah Health, credits Dr. Ulrich with fundamentally reshaping cancer research and care delivery throughout the Mountain West region. By expanding the institute’s reach and fostering collaborations, she has democratized access to cancer innovations—most notably in prevention, treatment, and survivorship—enhancing health outcomes for a diverse and often geographically isolated population.
The influence of Dr. Ulrich’s work transcends academia, capturing the attention of major media outlets including The New York Times, BBC, CNN, and NPR. Her ability to communicate complex scientific findings to the public has elevated awareness about cancer prevention and research importance. Her leadership was further honored in 2024 when she received the Utah Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology—one of the state’s highest accolades recognizing profound contributions to science and community impact.
Looking forward, Dr. Ulrich’s presidency at AACI promises to fortify the network of cancer centers and advocate for sustained investment in cancer research and prevention. With a focus on integrating innovative scientific discoveries into clinical practice, her tenure will emphasize overcoming systemic barriers that impede cancer care access and advancing precision medicine approaches across diverse populations.
Bradley Cairns, PhD, CEO of Huntsman Cancer Institute, underscores Dr. Ulrich’s unique ability to merge scientific expertise with collaborative spirit and administrative leadership. Her expanded role in the AACI will amplify Huntsman Cancer Institute’s contributions on a national scale, cementing its position as a leader in cancer innovation. Dr. Ulrich’s work exemplifies how research, policy, and community engagement intersect to drive progress toward a future where cancer may be prevented and effectively treated for all.
In sum, Dr. Neli Ulrich’s election as vice president and president-elect of the AACI Board of Directors marks a transformative moment in cancer research leadership. Her integrative approach, combining epidemiologic rigor, strategic policy engagement, and equitable care expansion, charts a compelling path forward in the global effort to reduce cancer burden. As her work continues to influence both scientific paradigms and patient experiences, Dr. Ulrich stands at the forefront of a new era in cancer research and health equity.
Subject of Research: Colorectal cancer epidemiology, cancer prevention strategies, genetic and environmental risk factors in cancer, expanding access to cancer care in rural regions.
Article Title: Dr. Neli Ulrich Elected Vice President of AACI: Transforming Cancer Research and Care Access
News Publication Date: 2024
Web References:
Huntsman Cancer Institute: https://hci.utah.edu
Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI): https://www.aaci-cancer.org
Image Credits: Huntsman Cancer Institute
Keywords: Cancer research, colorectal cancer epidemiology, cancer prevention, cancer care access, rural health disparities, National Cancer Institute, AACI, precision oncology, cancer survivorship
Tags: AACI Board of Directors electioncancer prevention and policycancer risk lifestyle factorscolorectal cancer epidemiologyDr. Neli Ulrich cancer research leadershipequitable healthcare delivery in cancerFulbright scholar contributions to cancer researchgenetic predispositions and environmental factorsinternational cancer studies collaborationphysical activity and obesity impactpublic health strategies in cancerscientific publications in oncology
