News
UToledo News:
August 13, 2026: UToledo Research Receives Funding from Stand Up To Cancer to Test Early Warning for Lung Cancer
Dr. James Willey, a pulmonary physician at UToledo Health and holder of the George Isaac Chair In Cancer Research, has received a $200,000 Stand Up To Cancer grant to support a simple, noninvasive screening test for lung cancer. The grant, in collaboration with investigators at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, will fund continued work on the test developed in Willey’s lab that could identify patients at elevated risk for lung cancer before symptoms ever appear.
The Blade:
July 29, 2026: When cancer drugs stop working, UT team searches for answers
Jian-Ting Zhang, a cancer researcher, UT professor, and executive director of the Northwest Ohio Cancer Research Institute, said drug resistance remains a stubborn reality across many cancers — not just breast cancer.
13 ABC:
July 27, 2026: UToledo research focused on treating TNBC
UToledo News:
July 23, 2026: UToledo Researcher Tackles Drug Resistance in Aggressive Breast Cancer
Dr. Yong (Kevin) Jiang, an associate professor in the Department of Cell and Cancer Biology and a member of UToledo’s Northwest Ohio Cancer Research Institute, is leading the project, titled “Enhancing Chemotherapeutic Efficacy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer via DSTYK Silence.” This latest award of more than $374,000 brings total NIH funding for the project to more than $1.39 million across four years.
WTOL 11:
March 3, 2026: New Effort to Fight Cancer Here in Toledo
Dr. Jian-Ting Zhang, Senior Associate Dean for Research and director of the Northwest Ohio Cancer Research Institute, discusses the regional impact of the new collaborative initiative to advance detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
The Blade:
March 4, 2026: University of Toledo Launches Cancer Research Institute
Dr. Jian-Ting Zhang, Senior Associate Dean for Research and director of the Northwest Ohio Cancer Research Institute, joined UToledo leaders on Tuesday, March 3, in inaugurating the initiative that brings together regional clinicians and researchers.
WTOL 11:
Jan. 28, 2026: UToledo & Northwest Ohio Cancer Research Institute
Dr. Jian-Ting Zhang, professor and chair in the Department of Cell and Cancer Biology and director of UToledo's Northwest Ohio Cancer Research Institute, discusses the new collaboration among regional clinicians and researchers to advance cancer treatment.
On Dec. 19, 2025, the launching of NOCRI was announced with a press release.
UToledo News:
Dec. 17, 2025: UToledo Launches Northwest Ohio Cancer Research Institute
“Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. The Northwest Ohio Cancer Research Institute aims to unite the strengths of UToledo and our partners to advance scientific discovery, improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of cancer in and beyond northwest Ohio,” said Dr. Jian-Ting Zhang, a professor in UToledo’s College of Medicine and Life Sciences and inaugural director of the Northwest Ohio Cancer Research Institute.
Toledo Blade:
Dec. 17, 2025: University of Toledo launches cancer research institute
“We will train the next generation of cancer researchers and clinicians right here,” President James Holloway said. “We already have the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center for the treatment of cancer. The institute will be the research arm to find new treatment and medicines.”