Read Time: 5 minutes
Takeaways:
- Ulrich has been elected vice president/president-elect of the AACI Board of Directors, a significant national leadership role in cancer research and care.
- In addition to her role as the chief scientific officer at Huntsman Cancer Institute and executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ulrich has served in a leadership capacity for several prestigious and international organizations dedicated to driving innovation in cancer care.
Impact: As a leader of the AACI, Ulrich will work collaboratively with other cancer leaders to ensure national support for cancer research.
, 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 (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.
鈥淚 am deeply honored to join the AACI Board and to be elected by my fellow cancer center directors鈥攍eaders of our nation鈥檚 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,鈥 says Ulrich. 鈥淭hrough 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.鈥
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.
鈥淒r. Ulrich鈥檚 visionary leadership has transformed cancer care and research for the people of Utah and the entire Mountain West.鈥
Bob Carter, MD, PhD
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 .
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鈥檚 鈥攖he region a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center serves鈥攖o include Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. Because of her efforts, Huntsman Cancer Institute was the first 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.
鈥淒r. Ulrich鈥檚 visionary leadership has transformed cancer care and research for the people of Utah and the entire Mountain West,鈥 says Bob Carter, MD, PhD, CEO of 91麻豆天美直播. 鈥淗er commitment to expanding access鈥攅specially in rural and frontier communities鈥攎eans that more families than ever benefit from the latest advancements in prevention, treatment, and survivorship. By broadening Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 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.鈥
鈥淒r. Ulrich will have the opportunity to shape cancer innovation and policy at a national and international scale.鈥
Bradley Cairns, PhD
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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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.
鈥淒r. 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,鈥 says , CEO of Huntsman Cancer Institute. 鈥淭hroughout 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鈥攁nd to share the advancements at Huntsman Cancer Institute with over 100 other centers.鈥
The critical research happening every day at Huntsman Cancer Institute is supported by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, including cancer center support grant P30 CA042014, as well as Huntsman Cancer Foundation.
Media Contact
Heather Simonsen
Public Affairs Senior Manager
Huntsman Cancer Institute
801 581-3194
public.affairs@hci.utah.edu
About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the 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 the most advanced cancer healing and prevention through scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology to create pioneering cancer treatments beyond the standard of care today. We have more than 325 open clinical trials and more than 300 research teams studying cancer. 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鈥檚 unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.