CGC Webinars and Special Seminars
The Cancer Genomics Consortium is committed to providing high quality educational opportunities for members of the clinical genomics community. The CGC Webinar Series focuses on topics of high interest for CGC members, including implementation of new technologies in clinical genetic/genomic testing, standards and resources for interpretation of variants, germline predisposition to cancer, and novel approaches for detection of variants in constitutional and cancer samples. The CGC is also proud to offer Early Career webinars focused on subjects of interest to individuals in training or an early stage of their careers. Additionally, the CGC will continue the Genomics Case Conference Series, in collaboration with UW Collaborative Genomics Conference, in 2026. This lecture series provides a format for showcasing interesting and educational cases and consulting with colleagues about challenging test results.
CGC industry partners CLICK HERE for information about supporting or sponsoring CGC Webinars.
The CGC Webinar Series is part of the CGC's commitment to providing high quality education that serves to enhance and expand the knowledge of clinical cancer genomics professionals for the better utilization of genomic technologies for clinical laboratory testing.
CGC Early Career Webinars are an initiative of the CGC Early Career Committee designed to meet the career and technical skill development needs of those in training or recently out of training.
This monthly series, sponsored by the CGC and the University of Wisconsin Collaborative Genomics Conference, offers staff and trainees an opportunity to present interesting cases to an international audience.
The Cancer Genomics Consortium is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program.
Molecular Classification of Aggressive B-cell Lymphoma: A Focus on Gene Expression Subtypes
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
9:00 AM PDT / 12:00 PM EDT
We invite you to join Dr. David Scott, MBChB, PhD, who will outline the molecular classifications of aggressive B-cell lymphoma, focusing on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and how they relate to the current pathology classifications. These will include schema using chromosomal rearrangements, gene expression profiling, and co-occurrence of genetic aberrations. He will then expand on the gene expression-based cell-of-origin (COO) classification and its refinement, including methods for COO assignment and its potential clinical utility.
Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Review the current classification(s) of aggressive B-cell lymphoma.
- Describe the (refined) cell-of-origin classification of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
- Compare methods for cell-of-origin assignment.
David Scott, MBChB, PhD
David Scott, MBChB, PhD, is a clinician-scientist at BC Cancer in Vancouver, Canada, where he is also the Clinical Director of the Centre for Lymphoid Cancer and a professor at the University of British Columbia. He obtained his medical degree and PhD at the University of Auckland followed by fellowship training in hematology in Auckland, prior to moving to Vancouver. His laboratory focuses on the classification of aggressive B-cell lymphoma, mechanisms of treatment resistance, and development of diagnostic assays that can be deployed on routine pathology biopsies. He is a scientific advisory board member for the Lymphoma Research Foundation, a member of the Lymphoma/Leukemia Molecular Profiling Project and Lunenburg Lymphoma Biomarker Consortium, and the translational co-chair of the lymphoma committee for ECOG.
ACMG Secondary Findings: Recommendation Overview and Discussion of Challenges in Practice
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
9:00 AM PDT / 12:00 PM EDT
The introduction of Secondary Finding (SF) genes by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) has standardized the process of reporting variants and follow up counseling. While most of the SF genes are associated with autosomal dominant genetic conditions, laboratories may find variants in the SF genes associated with recessive conditions that may need further evaluation. Another challenge is the decision on how to report copy number variants (CNVs) in the ACMG SF genes after microarray and sequencing-based assessments.
In this webinar, Dr. Mahmoud Aarabi will provide a review of the SF genes and practical considerations and clinical examples applicable to recessive genetic conditions and CNVs. Attendees will deepen their understanding of SF interpretation and reporting and gain valuable strategies for navigating these nuanced scenarios with greater confidence and clarity.
Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Apply ACMG guidelines to the interpretation and reporting of variants identified in secondary finding (SF) genes.
- Discuss secondary finding (SF) genes associated with recessive genetic conditions and their unique reporting strategy.
- Identify copy number variants in secondary finding (SF) genes and their reporting considerations.
Mahmoud Aarabi MD, PhD, MBA
Mahmoud Aarabi MD, PhD, MBA, is an Associate Professor of Pathology and Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and the Medical Director of UPMC Cytogenetics Laboratories. Dr. Aarabi is the Past Chair of the Committee on Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (ELSI) at the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), and co-author of the ACMG guidelines on reproductive carrier screening. His recent research efforts have focused on the burden of carriers for recessive genetic conditions in various populations and frequency of copy number variants in secondary finding (SF) genes.
Accelerating precision oncology: Real-time genomic and epigenomic profiling with Oxford Nanopore
Friday, June 12, 2026
8:00 AM PDT / 11:00 AM EDT
This webinar, sponsored by Oxford Nanopore Technologies, highlights how real-time Oxford Nanopore sequencing is transforming precision oncology through rapid genomic and epigenomic profiling.
Dr. Parth S. Shah, Director of Genome Informatics at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, will present his approach to accelerating the diagnosis and molecular characterization of hematologic malignancies using nanopore sequencing. Dr. Bastiaan Tops, Head of Laboratory of Childhood Cancer Pathology at Princess Máxima Center, will showcase a rapid, methylation-based classification workflow for CNS tumors. Dr. Eleonora (Ellie) Juarez is currently the Director of Segment Marketing – Oncology at Oxford Nanopore Technologies.
Join us to hear how rapid molecular insights can be leveraged to inform clinical decision-making and advance time-critical cancer care.
This webinar is sponsored by:
Dr. Bastiaan B.J. Tops is Head of the Laboratory of Childhood Cancer Pathology at the Princess Máxima Center. He is a registered Clinical Molecular Biologist in Pathology (NVVP) with extensive experience in implementing innovative molecular techniques in routine diagnostics. He played a key role in the early adoption of next-generation sequencing in Dutch pathology laboratories. His work focuses on integrating research and diagnostics to improve precision diagnostics for children with cancer.
Eleonora (Ellie) Juarez is currently the market segment manager for Oncology at Oxford Nanopore Technologies. With her extensive cancer genomics experience and a doctorate in molecular and medical genetics, she drives the development of new oncology assays, enabling cancer researchers to answer the most complex biological questions using nanopore sequencing. Juarez has held leadership roles at Twinstrand Biosciences, Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), and Twist Bioscience, where she significantly contributed to product and application development and corporate strategy.
Cytogenetic Laboratory Automation: Analysis Solutions Roundtable Discussion
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Drs. Rachel Burnside and Joseph Testa, and members of their laboratories, Amy Leftwich and Ryan Neumann Domer, respectively, discuss the strengths, opportunities, and challenges of adopting automated karyotyping and FISH analyses for clinical cytogenetic testing with moderator Adrian Dubuc. The automation of cytogenetics analyses holds great promise in helping to streamline cytogenetics workflows; however, determining which system(s) to employ, how to best implement these tools in the laboratory, and how to appropriately train laboratory personnel to optimize the benefits of these technologies requires thoughtful consideration.
As part two of this webinar series focused on cytogenetic automation, this roundtable discussion showcases the viewpoints of three laboratories with experience bringing automated cytogenetic analysis tools in-house in an effort to optimize efficiency and decrease time to reporting. This session on 'Cytogenetics Automation' focuses on the analytical stage of cytogenetic testing.
Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify processes and software that can be used for automated analyses in cytogenetics laboratories.
- Evaluate speakers' experience with automation implementation including the strengths and limitations of certain analysis systems.
- Discuss and assess how cytogenetic analysis automation may help laboratories, including return on investment.
Panelists:
Rachel Burnside, PhD, MBA, FACMG
University of Florida
Ryan Neumann Domer, MS
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Amy Leftwich, CG(ASCP)CMMBCM
University of Florida Pathology Laboratories
Joseph Testa, PhD, FACMG
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Moderator:
Adrian Dubuc, PhD, FACMG
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Dr. Joseph Testa, PhD, FACMG, is the Carol & Kenneth E. Weg Chair in Human Genetics, Chief of Genomic Medicine, and Director of the Cytogenomics Laboratory at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Testa’s research focuses on genetic and signaling alterations in malignant mesothelioma and on AKT function and oncogenic activity. His group cloned the AKT2 proto-oncogene and provided the first evidence for its recurrent involvement in human cancers. He also discovered inherited and somatic mutations of key drivers of mesothelioma pathogenesis, including the tumor suppressor genes NF2, CDKN2A, and BAP1. His team has reported extensively on genetically engineered mouse models of cancer, particularly mesothelioma and thymic leukemia/lymphoma. In 2011, he and his colleagues described a novel BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome characterized by inherited susceptibility to mesothelioma, uveal melanoma, and several other tumor types. He has also published extensively on the use of mesothelioma mouse models for preclinical studies of novel molecularly targeted therapeutics, such as inhibitors of the Akt/mTOR, FAK, and JAK/STAT3 pathways.
He is the author of more than 450 articles and reviews and serves on the editorial boards of four scientific journals. Dr. Testa is an elected Fellow of the AAAS, has served as a member of the NCI Board of Scientific Counselors (Basic Sciences), and has received several awards for his work in mesothelioma and leukemia research.
Guidelines for the testing and reporting of cytogenetic results for risk stratification of multiple myeloma: a report of the Cancer Genomics Consortium Plasma Cell Neoplasm Working Group
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) remains the gold standard clinical assay to detect genetic abnormalities in multiple myeloma (MM). However, FISH panel design, use of conventional chromosome banding analysis and reporting practices have been reported to vary among laboratories. Therefore, standardization in FISH testing and reporting practices is needed to improve report clarity and avoid misinterpretation.
In this webinar, Dr. Linda Baughn will introduces the recommendations published by the Cancer Genomics Consortium Plasma Cell Neoplasm Working Group, which is comprised of cytogenetic laboratory directors and clinical investigators with expertise in the diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment of multiple myeloma. Prior to developing these consensus recommendations, they performed a full literature review and conducted a survey of 102 oncologists to assess current variations and challenges in MM cytogenetic/FISH testing and reporting. The guidelines establish best practices for the optimization of FISH panel selection, and recommendations for standardized reporting of cytogenetic results to align with the 2025 International Myeloma Society (IMS)/International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Updated Risk Stratification.
Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Describe the current variability in fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) panel design, chromosome banding analysis, and reporting practices for multiple myeloma across clinical laboratories.
- Apply the consensus-based recommendations from the Cancer Genomics Consortium Plasma Cell Neoplasm Working Group to optimize FISH panel selection and standardize cytogenetic reporting in multiple myeloma.
- Integrate standardized FISH testing and reporting practices with the 2025 International Myeloma Society (IMS)/International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Updated Risk Stratification to improve diagnostic clarity and patient management.
Linda Baughn, PhD, FACMG
Linda Baughn is a board-certified cytogeneticist and molecular geneticist and is a co-director of the Mayo Clinic clinical genomics laboratory. In addition to her clinical activities, Dr. Baughn has a focused interest in understanding the genetics of multiple myeloma and has been engaged in multiple myeloma translational research since 2004.
Introduction to Flow Cytometry: Principles, Cases, and Genetic Correlates
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Flow cytometry is a crucial diagnostic tool in the field of hematopathology, allowing elucidation of the immunophenotypic profile of lymphoma/leukemia entities, particularly acute leukemia. One of its strengths is relatively rapid turnaround time (TAT), on the order of hours, providing quick diagnostic information, especially for time-sensitive diagnoses such as new acute leukemias and aggressive lymphomas.
In this webinar Dr. Stephen Stalls reviews the principles of flow cytometry and the appearance of normal peripheral blood/bone marrow flow specimens, then review a few cases of commonly seen diagnoses in hematopathology practice, incorporating genetic findings into these cases.
Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Discuss principles of flow cytometry
- Identify characteristics of normal populations within blood and bone marrow on flow cytometry
- Analyze flow cytometry cases of a few common diagnoses in hematopathology practice
Stephen Stalls, MD
Dr. Stephen Stalls is a native of eastern North Carolina. Several of his close family members had a cancer diagnosis, including a sister who is an acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivor. These experiences originally led him to a career in medicine, to help others suffering from cancer. He completed medical school and residency training close to home, at ECU Health in Greenville, North Carolina. After residency training, he and his wife enjoyed the experience of living in a new area for one year as he completed hematopathology fellowship at Yale New Haven University. He is grateful to have been hired as an assistant professor of hematopathology at MUSC in lovely Charleston, SC.
One of the primary reasons he was drawn to hematopathology is the beauty of weaving together different modalities to solve a diagnostic puzzle (including morphology, IHC stains flow cytometry, and genetic data), which is characteristic of this subspecialty. In his spare time, he loves reading and spending time with his family; he and his wife love going to concerts and traveling.
The Negotiation Gene: Do You Have It?
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
10:00 AM PDT / 12:00 PM CDT / 1:00PM EDT
The CGC Early Career Committee is pleased to invite you to a webinar on October 28 focused on the art of negotiation with experts Dr. Kelly Quesnelle and Dr. Avni Santani. Whether negotiating a new position, salary, resources, responsibilities, or opportunities for advancement, effective negotiation skills are essential for advocating for yourself and achieving your professional goals. This webinar will provide practical strategies and advice to help participants approach negotiations with confidence and effectively communicate their value. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the experts about one of the most important skills you can develop throughout your career – negotiation.
Speakers:
Kelly Quesnelle, PhD, FAAPE
Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine
Avni B. Santani, PhD, FACMG
Boston Health Partners, Harbinger Health
Kelly Quesnelle, PhD, FAAPE
Dr. Kelly Quesnelle is Professor and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Assistant Dean for the Foundational Sciences Curriculum at Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine. She previously served as Chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville. Dr. Quesnelle is a graduate of the University of Michigan and earned her PhD in Molecular Pharmacology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where she also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Vascular Medicine Institute.
A dedicated pharmacology educator, Dr. Quesnelle has delivered hundreds of hours of classroom instruction and has extensive expertise in a wide range of active learning pedagogies. She is actively engaged in all phases of curricular administration, including curriculum design, implementation, integration, and evaluation, with particular emphasis on foundational sciences education in undergraduate medical curricula. Her scholarly background includes prior NIH-funded research supporting both basic science investigation and curriculum development, and her current work focuses on medical education, with particular attention to the roles of biomedical scientists and leadership development in health professions education.
Dr. Quesnelle is co-editor of An Introduction to Medical Teaching: The Foundations of Curriculum Design, Delivery, and Assessment (3rd Edition, Springer) and Perspectives on Leadership in Health Professions Education (IAMSE Manual Series, Springer). She currently serves as President-Elect of the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) and serves on the Administrative Board of the Council for Faculty and Academic Societies (CFAS) of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
Avni B. Santani, PhD, FACMG
Dr. Avni B. Santani is a founder of Boston Health Partners, a boutique advisory firm for diagnostic companies. She is also the SVP of Platform at Harbinger Health, where she leads Machine Learning, Data Science, Clinical Laboratory Operations, and Research & Development. Her work is on early cancer detection using cell-free DNA, methylation, and machine learning. She also hosts On Target, a podcast exploring the future of diagnostics and precision healthcare. She brings over two decades of experience at the intersection of genomics, molecular diagnostics, and precision medicine with a track record of building and scaling clinical testing programs that translate scientific discovery into actionable patient care.
Prior to Harbinger, Dr. Santani served as Chief Genomics Officer at LetsGetChecked and Chief Medical Officer at Veritas Genetics, and founded Opus Genomics, a rare disease company. She spent more than a decade at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where she served as Director of the Division of Genomic Diagnostics and Director of CLIA Laboratories within the Center for Applied Genomics, and held a faculty appointment at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
A board-certified clinical molecular geneticist and cytogeneticist, Dr. Santani has published more than 60 peer-reviewed papers and has been an active leader in shaping national standards for next-generation sequencing — through the Association for Molecular Pathology, College of American Pathologists, and Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute. She is a recipient of the Philadelphia Business Journal's Innovator of the Year Award and has been recognized among the Top 25 Women Leaders in Healthcare Technology.
Coffee Break with CGC Mentors
Sessions begin on Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Various times available
The CGC Coffee Break with CGC Mentors sessions are designed for trainee or early career (within 1–3 years of completing training) CGC members looking to expand their network, connect with peers and experts across institutions, and find guidance about training or career paths.
These one-hour, small-group mentoring sessions pair a CGC mentor with up to six trainee or early-career members, creating a supportive space for meaningful conversation, guidance, and connection. Whether you’re just starting out or exploring your next steps, these casual virtual sessions are your chance to gain insights and build meaningful connections.
CLICK HERE for more information about the 2026 sessions and mentors.
2026 Mentors:
Xia Wang, PhD, ABMGG
Ai Life Diagnostics
Alaa Koleilat, PhD, FACMG
Knight Diagnostic Laboratories, Oregon Health & Science University
Aiko Otsubo, PhD, FACMG
University of Michigan
Lu Wang, MD, PhD, FACMG
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Bryan Krock, PhD, FACMG
Caris Life Sciences
Madhuri Hegde, PhD, FACMG
Revvity, Inc.
Early Career Virtual Social
Thursday, April 23, 2026
10:00 AM PDT / 1:00PM EDT
Would you like to learn more about the CGC and make valuable network connections? Please join us for a Virtual Social Event led by the CGC Early Career Committee to learn more about the benefits of CGC membership and network with colleagues at various career stages. Attendees will hear from CGC senior leadership to discuss current and upcoming CGC programs that support professionals in their career development. During the second half of the event, you will have the opportunity to join Zoom break out rooms for informal networking with peers and leadership representatives from the CGC.
Speakers:
Fady Mikhail, MD, PhD
CGC President
Cate Paschal, PhD
CGC 2026 Program Chair
Patty Miron, PhD
Representative from the CGC Nominatons Committee
Melanie Babcock, PhD
Representative from the CGC Membership Committee
Xiaoming (Mindy) Wang, PhD
Representative from the CGC Early Career Committee
Mentors, Moments, and Mistakes: Stories that shaped my career
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
9:00 AM PST / 12:00PM EST
The CGC Early Career Committee will host a Fireside Chat on February 25, 2026 designed specifically for early career professionals. This engaging session will feature candid and insightful conversations with seasoned professionals in cancer genomics, as they share the defining moments that shaped their careers, the mentors who guided them, and the lessons learned from both successes and setbacks. Through real-life stories and practical wisdom, our speakers will offer a behind-the-scenes look at navigating the dynamic and evolving landscape of clinical cancer genomics. Designed specifically for early career professionals, this webinar provides actionable advice, inspiration, and strategies to help you overcome obstacles, seize opportunities, and build a meaningful career in this exciting field.
Panelists:
Yassmine Akkari, PhD, FACMG
Professor and Senior Director, Clinical Laboratory
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Jane Houldsworth, PhD
Professor and Vice-Chair of Division of Molecular Pathology at Mount Sinai Health System
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Honey Reddi, PhD, FACMG
Chief Laboratory Officer
Belay Diagnostics
Yassmine Akkari, PhD, FACMG
Jane Houldsworth, PhD
Honey Reddi, PhD, FACMG
Building on the remarkable success of this educational series, the CGC Education committee is excited to continue the monthly case conference series offered in collaboration with the UW Collaborative Genomics Conference in 2026.
This lecture series focuses on topics of high interest for CGC members and attendees of the UW Collaborative Genomic Conference, including implementation of new technologies in clinical genetic/genomic testing, standards and resources for interpretation of sequence and copy number variants, germline predisposition to cancer, and novel approaches for detection of structural variants in constitutional and cancer samples. The CGC is currently accepting cases for inclusion in the 2026-2027 Case Conference Series.
These conferences will allow CGC members to: showcase their interesting and educational cases, promote their clinical and research work, consult with colleagues about challenging test results, earn CE credits at no charge through the University of Wisconsin–Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (ICEP), and identify collaborators with similar cases and shared clinical or research interests. Additional benefits for trainees include winning the 'Best Case Presentation' award and the option to submit a case report for publication.
2026 Collaborative Genomics Case Conference Series Webinars
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
1:00 PM CT/ 2:00 PM ET
Collaborative Genomics Case Conference
Leah Frater-Rubsam, PhD, and Mehrdad Noruzinia, MD
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
1:00 PM CT/ 2:00 PM ET
When Chromosomes Form Rings: MYC Amplification Driving Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Parastou Tizro, MD
To attend, click the button below
to join the conference:
Meeting ID: 945 6708 1449
Passcode: CGC2026-27
- Register for an account with the University of Wisconsin Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (UW-ICEP)
- Per new ACCME’s Standards-UW Madison, ALL attendees must text the code every time to confirm attendance, (deadline to text the code is 48 hours after the end of the conference). Instructions for texting your attendance will be provided at the event.
- Complete the online evaluation (must be completed within 45 days after the conference).
- You can track your participation through your account with ICEP.