At the 2026 CLL Global Research Foundation Alliance Meeting, Dr. Christopher Oakes shares his appreciation for research funding and its impact on driving innovation forward.
Guest
Christopher Oakes, PhD
Associate Professor of Hematology
OSUCCC – James: Cancer Treatment and Research Center
Transcript:
Dr. Christopher Oakes:
Well, I mean, the work that they’re doing is so heavily valued. We wouldn’t be able to do what we’re doing without them. This project that I’m working on would still just be preliminary data and a concept. And, you know, now we’re driving forward in a new direction, identifying better ways to deploy the therapies we have, and also develop novel therapies for the next generation so that we can treat patients that are gaining resistance or need additional therapies from what’s out there. So, you know, really, we have shown that in CLL, research has really driven innovation in the clinic and, you know, it’s our goal to continue that.
I think, you know, every dollar matters. I think if you look at – like today and the breadth of the research that the foundation has been able to fund, I think is really exceptional. The groups that are here and involved in the foundation and are funded are really amongst the leaders in the world in multiple different countries. And, you know, just to say keep up the good work in that all this funding is so helpful and is really important for us to keep doing what we’re doing.
I mean we all learned during COVID how much we missed getting together and seeing each other in person. And just the opportunity to present your ideas and to share your data to get feedback from the community is very helpful in guiding, you know, your thinking and making sure we’re not duplicating efforts. But then also our ideas are in sync with the other, you know, thought leaders in the field. But sharing ideas and just, a lot of times being able to just discuss over coffee or over lunch. You start to realize some new ideas and new directions for the next round of grant applications.