To take a leading role in conquering cancers in our time.

Research

From nanoparticles and stem cells to antioxidants and drug discovery, researchers in around 80 laboratories of 16 K-State departments are demystifying cancer, conducting cutting-edge studies on such things as:

  • how cancer initiates and progresses.
  • what changes occur in the genetic information of cancer cells.
  • the role of viruses in cancer development.
  • substances that interfere with cancer cell growth.
  • potential methods of diagnosis and treatment.

Our Faculty Scientists page gives more detail about the cancer research at K-State.

To learn about our student research opportunities and support, see our Education page.

We support K-State cancer research with these competitive faculty award programs:

Innovative Research Awards

This program provides “seed money” for faculty who do not already receive extramural funding but intend to apply for future grants. More information and the application are available on our Award Programs page.

Equipment Awards

These awards help K-State remain at the cutting edge of research by helping purchase laboratory equipment and supplies. More information and the application are available on our Award Programs page.

Travel Fellowships

This program supports travel of cancer research faculty and their post-docs, to visit colleagues at other institutions for the purpose of learning new scientific techniques. This helps K-State keep up with the latest technologies. More information and the application are available on our Award Programs page.

Assistant Professorship in Cancer Biology

(seeking endowment for this named professorship)

This program supports the first three years’ salary of a newly hired tenure-track assistant professor. The goal is to increase the number of K-State faculty doing cancer-relevant research. The funds encourage and allow for a department, in anticipation of an open faculty line, to hire earlier if willing to recruit a cancer scientist. For more information, see the award programs page.

Cancer research has also been supported in the following ways:

Testimony to the State Legislature

Testimony has been provided by center staff about research and training needs at K-State.

Fundraising efforts for improved facilities

Efforts have resulted in the construction of Chalmers Hall, the home of the center’s administrative headquarters, and of biology and biochemistry laboratories and offices. The center continues to pursue donations that will provide state-of-the-art equipment necessary for research and training.

The Anti-Cancer Drug Development Laboratory

This was the first lab of its kind at K-State. Opened in 1980, thanks to a private fundraising campaign, this original lab is now joined by many others across campus in the quest for more knowledge about cancers.

Other Research information

Dr. Yuntao Zhang

Veterinary Diagnostic Lab – Studies the structure and function of glycosaminoglycans in cancer.


Faculty Award Winners

To promote advancement in cancer research at K-State, we offer competitive grants to affiliated faculty. Here are our most recent awardees.


Faculty Scientists

The Johnson Cancer Research Center’s multidisciplinary approach to cancer research makes the most of the knowledge and talents of numerous excellent scientists across the K-State campus. Here is a list of our affiliated scientists and their areas of study.


To further the understanding of cancers by funding basic cancer research, and supporting higher education, training, and public outreach.

Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research | 1 Chalmers Hall | Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS 66506
Phone: 785.532.6705 | cancerresearch@k-state.edu | Copyright © 2009 Center for Basic Cancer Research