Membership

AACR Membership — 
Members by the Numbers

The foundation of the AACR is a diverse and dedicated membership, numbering over 35,000 investigators from around the world. These members are the heart of the cancer research community, working together in a global effort to prevent and cure cancer. Participation in cutting-edge AACR programs provides members with vital opportunities to foster important relationships and collaborations across the entire spectrum — from early-career researchers to senior investigators, from academia to industry, and from scientists to patient advocates. Members of the AACR make critical discoveries in all areas of inquiry, from epidemiological, prevention, and basic science to translational and clinical research.

Members by Category

Active Members: Established laboratory researchers, physician-scientists, clinicians, and population scientists

Associate Members: Young laboratory scientists and physicians-in-training (graduate students, medical students and residents, and clinical and postdoctoral fellows)

Student Members: Undergraduate and high school students

Emeritus Members: Active members who have reached the age of 70 years

Affiliate Members: Other health care professionals (practicing oncologists, nurses, laboratory technicians, non-scientific corporate professionals, and patient advocates)

58
Nobel Laureates have been members of the AACR.

103
Patient advocates are members of the AACR.

2,658
Individuals have been AACR members for more than 25 years.

143
Individuals have been AACR members for more than 50 years.

101
Countries are represented by AACR members.

Note:
Totals may not equal 100% due to rounding.

Members by Work Setting

Members by Race/Ethnicity

Members by Degree

Members by Gender

AACR Membership — 
Diversifying the Cancer Workforce

Cancer touches everyone, affecting patients and their loved ones regardless of their age, ethnicity, or gender. To maximize patient benefit, the AACR works to ensure that the cancer workforce is as diverse as the community of patients it serves. For decades the AACR has pursued this goal by identifying, training, and mentoring talented investigators in populations that are underrepresented in the scientific community. These efforts are coordinated by three vital groups: Minorities in Cancer Research (MICR), Women in Cancer Research (WICR), and the Associate Member Council (AMC).

AACR-Minorities in Cancer Research (2015 Council Chairperson: Edith A. Perez, MD)

  • The innovative AACR-MICR Distinguished Lectureship Series brings the AACR’s world-class scientific programming to the campuses of Minority Serving Institutions, to inspire young minority students and educators at these institutions to pursue a career in cancer research. The 2015 Lecture series was held on November 16 at Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia. Organized by chairpersons John M. Carethers, MD, and Rick A. Kittles, PhD, the lecture program was titled “Disparities in prostate cancer: Outcomes to biomarkers.”
  • This past year marked the 30th anniversary of the AACR Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Awards program. These awards support the education and training of minority researchers and increase the visibility and recognition of minorities in cancer research. Through a generous grant from the National Cancer Institute’s Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, the program has supported more than 1,000 trainees since its establishment.

AACR Women in Cancer Research (2015 Council Chairperson: Victoria M. Richon, PhD)

  • The AACR Women in Cancer Research Scholar Awards enhance the education and training of women scientists while increasing their visibility. In 2015, a total of 30 young investigators attended the AACR Annual Meeting through the awards. The program was also expanded in 2015 to support attendance at Special Conferences, enabling early-career female investigators to focus in on their chosen areas of research.
  • • The AACR-Women in Cancer Research Charlotte Friend Memorial Lectureship was established in honor of Charlotte Friend, PhD, renowned virologist and discoverer of the Friend virus, to recognize a scientist who has made major contributions to the field of cancer research and furthered the advancement of women in science. In 2015, the eighteenth annual lecture was delivered by Sara A. Courtneidge, PhD, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Dr. Courtneidge delivered her award lecture, titled "Cancer cell invasion and metastasis," at the AACR Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.

AACR Associate Member Council (2015 Chairperson: Mark D. Stewart, PhD)

  • In 2015, the Associate Member Council launched three new AMC-led committees. The Communications Committee enhances communication with Associate Members by providing them with information on the AACR and AMC programming, career advancement, and professional development. The Fundraising Committee increases awareness of and support for the AACR and for cancer research. The Program Committee creates career development content and fosters new and existing networking opportunities for Associate Members.
  • The AMC recognizes the importance of advocating for increased funding for early-career cancer scientists. In 2015, a representative member of the AMC attended the “Rally for Medical Research Hill Day,” where the AACR joined with more than 300 organizations from across the country to advocate for robust, sustained, and predictable increases in funding for the National Institutes of Health.