SSO supports cancer research by providing research funding through its competitive Clinical Investigator and Young Investigator Awards programs. The SSO Clinical Investigator Award supports patient-focused research conducted by surgical oncologists in clinical and translational science. The SSO Young Investigator Award promotes and recognizes translational or clinical research that advances innovative ideas and concepts designed to improve health outcomes through advances in the delivery of cancer-related care.
2026 Award Applications
This year two Clinical Investigator and two Young Investigator Awards are available: one traditional award in each category supported by SSO and two dedicated to a specific topic. See the call for proposals for instructions on how to apply.
Applications close October 10, 2025 at 11:59 PM CST.
2025 Award Recipients
Clinical Investigator Award Recipients
SSO Clinical Investigator Award ($50,000/year for two years)
Supported by a grant from the SSO Research and Education Fund
Emily Keung, MD
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Lisa Kurtz Luciano Appendix Cancer and Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Clinical Investigator Award
($50,000/year for two years)
Supported by a grant from ACPMP
Oliver Eng, MD
University of California, Irvine
Young Investigator Award Recipients
SSO Young Investigator Award ($25,000 for one year)
Supported by a grant from the SSO Research and Education Fund
Roheena Panni, MD, MPHS
Washington University in Saint Louis
Young Investigator Award-Appendix Cancer Pseudomyxoma Peritonei ($25,000 for one year)
Supported by a grant from ACPMP
Kimberly Kopecky, MD, MSCI
University of Alabama at Birmingham