The Charles G. Moertel Memorial Lecture honors the legacy of Charles G. Moertel, MD, founding Group Chair of the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG), one of the three National Cancer Institute cooperative groups that came together to form the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. Dr. Moertel’s pioneering contributions helped shape modern cancer clinical trials and established a lasting legacy of scientific excellence and innovation.
Honoring achievements in community practice
Presented during the Alliance Spring Group Meeting, the lecture recognizes an internationally respected scientist or clinician whose research through the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) and the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) has significantly advanced cancer care and improved outcomes for patients. The lecture celebrates a sustained body of work that has influenced clinical practice while providing an opportunity to reflect on scientific progress, inspire future innovation, and recognize the enduring impact of collaborative research.
Who can be nominated?
Any Alliance member may nominate an investigator whose research within the NCTN and NCORP has had a major impact on community cancer practice. The award recognizes sustained scientific contributions rather than a single accomplishment. For more information about the Moertel Lecture, please e-mail Niveditha Subbiah, LLM, MA, Alliance Cancer Control Senior Program Manager, at Niveditha@AllianceNCTN.org.
Past recipients include:
- 2026: Electra Paskett, PhD, Marion N. Rowley Professor of Cancer Research and Director at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, James Cancer Hospital
- 2025: Sumithra J. Mandrekar, PhD, Program Director and Group Statistician for the Alliance Statistics and Data Management Program
- 2024: Monica M. Bertagnolli, MD, former Director of the National Institutes of Health
- 2022: Larry Norton, MD, Medical Director, Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center
- 2020: Heidi Nelson, MD, FACS, former ACS Cancer Programs Medical Director