image: Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS
Credit: Huntsman Cancer Institute
Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS, chief scientific officer and executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) and Jon M. and Karen Huntsman Presidential Professor in Cancer Research in population sciences at the U, has been elected by the members of the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) to serve as vice president/president-elect of the AACI Board of Directors.
Ulrich is a leading epidemiologist, whose research has had a transformative impact on the global understanding of colorectal cancer, informed prevention strategies, and shaped public health policies worldwide. Through international collaborations and leadership roles in multicenter studies, Ulrich has helped bridge research across continents, improving outcomes and equity in colorectal cancer prevention and survivorship. Her influence continues to guide worldwide efforts to reduce the burden of this disease, including understanding how physical activity, obesity, and diet influence cancer risk and outcomes. She has authored more than 500 scientific publications and led more than 26 grant projects. Her work has advanced knowledge of genetic and environmental risk factors. A native of Germany, Ulrich started her professional career in the United States as a Fulbright scholar.
“I am deeply honored to join the AACI Board and to be elected by my fellow cancer center directors—leaders of our nation’s centers driving progress against cancer. Cancer research is highly valued in the community, and we must remain united in our focus on creating a world where cancer is a thing of the past,” says Ulrich. “Through collaboration and innovation, we can bring the newest cures from bench to bedside, engage all populations in prevention and care, and overcome the barriers that stand in the way of defeating this disease, which affects 50% of men and 33% of women in the United States.”
The AACI represents over 100 cancer centers in the United States and Canada. Its mission is to accelerate advancements against cancer by educating lawmakers and promoting partnerships between cancer centers to improve the quality of cancer care. Ulrich will serve as vice president of the AACI board for two years. At the end of her term, she will assume the presidency of the organization.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to research and public advocacy, Ulrich has also served in leadership capacities for several prestigious and international organizations dedicated to driving innovation in cancer care. She has held influential positions as a member of the American Association for Cancer Research, the European Association for Cancer Research, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. She has also been named chair of the newly formed National Cancer Advisory Board Working Group, whose 35 members will provide recommendations on research and research priorities to the National Cancer Institute.
These responsibilities are in addition to her role as executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute, where she oversees more than 300 research teams studying cancer. She is incredibly passionate about expanding access to rural and frontier regions in the Mountain West. She led the effort to broaden Huntsman Cancer Institute’s service area—the region a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center serves—to include Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. Because of her efforts, Huntsman Cancer Institute was the first NCI-designated cancer center to significantly expand its service area to include the largest geographic landmass of any center in the United States. While the institute has long partnered with communities and hospitals in the region, the formal expansion in 2022 was a historic and unprecedented move to reach rural populations. She has spearheaded a variety of initiatives, including expanded access to clinical trials, to overcome distance as a barrier in cancer care, prevention, and survivorship.
“Dr. Ulrich’s visionary leadership has transformed cancer care and research for the people of Utah and the entire Mountain West,” says Bob Carter, MD, PhD, CEO of University of Utah Health. “Her commitment to expanding access—especially in rural and frontier communities—means that more families than ever benefit from the latest advancements in prevention, treatment, and survivorship. By broadening Huntsman Cancer Institute’s service area and championing innovative collaborations, Dr. Ulrich has ensured that hope and healing reach every corner of our region. Her impact is felt not only in scientific discovery, but in the lives of those she serves.”
Over the course of her career, Ulrich and her work have been featured in news outlets like the New York Times, the BBC, CNN, and NPR among others. In 2024, Ulrich was honored with the prestigious Utah Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology, recognizing her exceptional leadership in cancer research and public health. This award celebrates individuals whose work has significantly advanced scientific innovation and community impact in Utah. In addition to this honor, Ulrich has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including recognition from national and international cancer research organizations for her contributions to cancer prevention, epidemiology, and translational science.
Ulrich’s role as president-elect of the AACI board will build on her previous leadership achievements at the organization. Outside of her work with the AACI, she has often collaborated with other cancer center leaders to ensure national support for biomedical research and cancer prevention. Her goal is to transform scientific discoveries into hope for patients and their communities.
“Dr. Ulrich is incredibly deserving of this recognition from her peers, given her unwavering dedication, collaborative spirit, strong leadership skills, and profound impact in the field of cancer care and research,” says Bradley Cairns, PhD, CEO of Huntsman Cancer Institute. “Throughout her career, she has been a passionate advocate for cancer research. As vice president and president-elect of the AACI, Dr. Ulrich will have the opportunity to shape cancer innovation and policy at a national and international scale—and to share the advancements at Huntsman Cancer Institute with over 100 other centers.”
About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering a cancer-free frontier to all communities in the area we serve. We have more than 300 open clinical trials and 300 research teams studying cancer at any given time. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient’s unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.