RAS Initiative Symposium 2026
Mechanisms, Resistance, and New Frontiers
October 7–9, 2026
Advanced Technology Research Facility, Frederick, MD
Day 1 – Wednesday, October 7
Theme: Discovery and Therapeutic Innovation
Welcome (9:00–9:40 AM)
Welcome and Meeting Logistics
Symposium Overview — Frank McCormick
Patient Advocate Perspective — Beth Stronach (RASopathies Network)
Session 1: RAS Therapeutics and Resistance Mechanisms (9:40 AM–12:15 PM)
9:40–10:05 — Andy Aguirre: TBD
10:05–10:30 — David Hong: RAS inhibition in the clinic: What have we learned, What are we learning, What do we need to learn?
10:30–10:45 — Short Talk — Jonathan A Pachter (Abstract #85)
10:45–11:10 — Coffee Break
11:10–11:35 — Mallika Singh: Targeting the Oncogenic State of RAS with Tri-Complex Inhibitors
11:35–12:00 — Karen Cichowski: Strategies for enhancing responses to RAS pathway inhibitors
12:00–12:15 — Short Talk — Matthew Whitley (Abstract #16)
Lunch and Poster Session 1 (12:15–2:30 PM)
1:45–2:30 — RASopathies Therapeutic Roadmap Workshop (Auditorium)
Session 2: RAS Regulation and Biochemistry (2:30–5:00 PM)
2:30–3:10 — Matthew Sale: How do receptors activate RAS signaling?
3:10–3:35 — Xosé Bustelo: R-RAS2: a genetic and pharmacological view on cancer
3:35–3:50 — Short Talk — Toshiyuki Araki (Abstract #38)
3:50–4:05 — Break
4:05–4:30 — Dhirendra Simanshu: A Non-Catalytic Mode of RasGAP Regulation of RAS Signaling
4:30–4:45 — Short Talk — Vinh Ton (Abstract #56)
4:45–5:00 — Introduction to the Proposed European RAS Initiative — Colin Lindsay
Day 2 – Thursday, October 8
Theme: Integration and Collaboration
Session 3: Prevention and Immunotherapy (9:00–11:05 AM)
9:00–9:10 — NCI Director Remarks
9:10–9:35 — Julian Downward: Targeting the interplay between oncogenic RAS signaling and tumor immune evasion in lung cancer
9:35–10:00 — Tyler Jacks: TBD
10:00–10:10 — Coffee / Stretch Break
10:10–10:35 — Laura Wood: The promise of RAS targeting for pancreatic cancer interception
10:35–10:50 — Short Talk — Rachel Lew (Abstract #104)
10:50–11:05 — Short Talk — Ren-Wang Peng (Abstract #23)
11:05–11:15 — Break / Transition
Session 4: RAS and Other Small GTPase Signaling in Cellular and Disease Contexts (11:15 AM–1:00 PM)
11:15–11:40 — Martin McMahon: TBD
11:40–12:05 — Channing Der: Unlocking RAS: combinations are the key
12:05–12:30 — David Tuveson: TBD
12:30–12:45 — Short Talk — Eric Seidel (Abstract #46)
12:45–1:00 — Short Talk — Erik Larsen (Abstract #74)
Lunch (1:00 PM—2:00 PM)
Poster Session 2 (1:45 PM - 4:00 PM)
3:15–4:00 — European RAS Initiative Workshop
Session 5: RAS–RAF Signaling and Pathway Integration (4:00–6:00 PM)
4:00–4:25 — Mariano Barbacid: Therapeutic Strategies Against KRAS Driven Pancreatic Cancer
4:25–4:50 — Debbie Morrison: Analysis of RAS-driven RAF activation
4:50–5:05 — Coffee / Stretch Break
5:05–5:30 — Allan Balmain: Coordinated control of tumor-immune interactions by Hras and the minor Kras4A isoform
5:30–5:45 — Short Talk — Silvia Palladino (Abstract #44)
5:45–6:00 — Short Talk — Julius Pampel (Abstract #58)
6:00 PM — Networking Reception
Day 3 – Friday, October 9
Theme: Future Directions
Session 6: Early Intervention Views and New Horizons in RAS Drug Discovery (9:00–10:45 AM)
9:00–9:25 — Neeha Zaidi: Vaccines Targeting RAS in Pancreatic Cancer: From Treatment to Cancer Interception
9:25–9:40 — Short Talk — Matthew Holderfield (Abstract #62)
9:40–10:05 — Piro Lito: TBD
10:05–10:20 — Short Talk — David Santamaria (Abstract #72)
10:20–10:45 — Kevan Shokat: TBD
10:45–11:15 — Break
Closing Session: Scientific Integration and Community Priorities (11:15 AM–12:15 PM)
11:15–11:25 — Summary from European RAS Initiative Workshop
11:25–11:35 — Summary from RASopathies Therapeutic Roadmap Workshop
11:35–12:05 — Future Directions for RAS Pathway 3.0
12:05–12:15 — Closing Remarks — Frank McCormick
12:15 PM — Adjourn