Rivkin Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium
Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance is proud to present the 16th Biennial Rivkin Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium on October 16-18, 2026 at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown in Philadelphia, PA.
In This Section
Symposium Information
Since 1996, leaders in ovarian cancer research and treatment have come together at this symposium to share the latest breakthroughs. The event fosters networking and collaboration through poster sessions, breakout discussions, and career development opportunities. Sessions will cover novel therapeutics, immuno-oncology, tumor microenvironment, early detection, prevention, cancer biology, rare tumors, epidemiology, health disparities, and patient advocacy.
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Session topics were developed by the symposium co-chairs and will include invited talks and selected abstract presentations (oral and poster).
- Prevention & Early Detection
- Rare Subtypes
- New Therapeutic Approaches
- Overcoming Drug Resistance
- Immuno-oncology
- Epidemiology, Population Science, & Survivorship
- Health Disparities
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- April 14, 2026: Abstract Submission Opens
- May 26, 2026: Online Registration Opens
- July 14, 2026: Abstract Submission Closes
- August 18, 2026: Abstract Notifications
- Sept 1, 2026: Early Registration Closes – rate increase
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Questions? Contact Jackie Lang, PhD, OCRA’s Director of Scientific Programs, at jlang@ocrahope.org or 212-268-1002.
Sign Up for Email Updates: Rivkin Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium
Registration
Early registration: May 26 – September 1, 2026.
Registration is online and requires full payment. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Confirmation is emailed automatically.
Note: This is an in-person meeting only. Breakfast and dinner are included.
Set a calendar reminder for registration opening:
Please note, this is not a Continuing Medical Education (CME) event.
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Member type Advance rate
(by Sept 1)Regular rate
(after Sept 1)Industry $1,075 $1,315 Faculty & Clinician $635 $775 Postdoctoral Fellow $480 $585 Student $300 $365 Community (Nonprofit & Foundation) $165 $200 Survivor & Patient Advocate $0 $0 All fees are in U.S. Dollars (USD).
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Requests for cancellation must be submitted in writing to Jackie Lang at jlang@ocrahope.org. Cancellations received on or before September 18, 2026, will be refunded minus a $75 administrative processing fee. After September 18, 2026, registration fees are non-refundable. However, registration transfers to a colleague may be accommodated upon request.
Lodging & Travel
A discounted group rate is available at the symposium hotel:
Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown
201 North 17th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 19103
Tel: +1 215-448-2000
The group rate will be made available when registration opens on May 26, 2026.
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The Sheraton is 8 miles from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). No shuttle is available; we recommend taxi or ride share.
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Secure underground parking at the Sheraton is $49 per day.
Program
The symposium programming will run from approximately 4:00 pm on Friday, October 16 to 1:00 pm on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
The times below are subject to change as we develop the program.
| Friday, October 16, 2026 | |
| 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Opening Keynote Ronny Drapkin, MD, PhD |
| 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Patient Advocacy Panel |
| 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Session 1: Health Disparities Lauren Peres, PhD, MPH |
| 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm | Reception and Poster Session A |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | |
| 8:00 am – 10:00 am | Session 2: Epidemiology, Population Science, & Survivorship Kathryn Terry, ScD Rachel Vogel, PhD |
| 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Session 3: Rare Subtypes David Huntsman, MD, FRCPC, FCCMG |
| 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm | Lunch on own |
| 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm | Breakout Discussions (optional) |
| 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm | Session 4: Prevention & Early Detection Ranjit Manchanda, MD, MRCOG, PhD |
| 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Session 5: New Therapeutic Approaches Elise Kohn, MD |
| 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Reception and Poster Session B |
| Sunday, October 18, 2026 | |
| 8:00 am – 10:00 am | Session 6: Overcoming Drug Resistance Fiona Simpkins, MD Benjamin Bitler, PhD |
| 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Session 7: Immuno-oncology Sarah Adams, MD Dmitry Zamarin, MD, PhD Emese Zsiros, MD, PhD |
| 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Closing Keynote Daniela Matei, MD |
Abstracts
We welcome research and clinical abstracts across all areas of ovarian cancer research. Selected abstracts will be invited for 10-minute oral presentations; others may be accepted for posters. All presenters must register for the Symposium.
The deadline to submit an abstract is Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT.
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To submit an abstract for poster or oral presentation, click here.
Create a profile, complete the abstract submission form, and add co-authors after submitting. The submitting author may differ from the presenting author unless applying for a Travel Award (see section below for details). Limit: two abstracts per person.
- 500-word limit
- Include purpose, brief data summary, and conclusions
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- Prevention & Early Detection
- Rare Subtypes
- New Therapeutic Approaches
- Overcoming Drug Resistance
- Immuno-oncology
- Epidemiology, Population Science, & Survivorship
- Health Disparities
- Patient Advocacy
- Other
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Decisions will be sent by email approximately August 18, 2026.
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Abstracts will be posted online after the presenter accepts. Presenters will receive scheduling and format instructions by email.
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All presenters must register. If an abstract is not selected, the presenting author may request a refund.
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To withdraw an abstract at any time, log in, navigate to ‘Submission Home’, and select ‘Withdraw Submission’ under the abstract.
Travel Awards
OCRA is offering $500 Travel Awards for graduate students and postdocs. To qualify, you must be the submitting and presenting author of an accepted abstract. Special consideration will be given to applicants from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds and regions.
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To apply, submit an abstract and complete the optional Travel Award question in the submission form.
Personal statement (max 225 words) should include:
- Training stage, institution, and mentor
- Research interests
- Why you’re applying
- How the symposium will support your work
Deadline: July 14, 2026 at 8:00 pm ET / 5:00 pm PT
Co-Chairs
The chairs develop the symposium scope and program, including session topics and invited speakers, with an emphasis on advancing ovarian cancer research and supporting early-career investigators.
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Duke University
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University of Miami
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University of British Columbia
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Indiana University
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University of Pennsylvania
Planning Committee
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Director of Scientific Programs, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance
Sponsors
OCRA gratefully acknowledges our exhibitors and sponsors. Their support makes this symposium possible.
To sponsor the 2026 Rivkin Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium, please email jlang@ocrahope.org.