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Research Workshop

2027 Research Workshop

Collaboration for a Cure

April 30-May 1, 2027, in Ann Arbor

This event is a forum for DIPG/DMG researchers to collaborate, especially on unpublished work, to accelerate our path to a cure. It is also an opportunity for DIPG/DMG families that partner with our foundation to get updates on recent advancements and network with researchers.

Airport

Detroit International Airport (DTW) is the airport nearest Ann Arbor. Travel time from DTW to Ann Arbor is approximately 25 minutes. For a complete listing of accommodations and transportation options in the Ann Arbor area please visit Destination Ann Arbor.

Official Hotel Partners

We encourage you to consider one of these wonderful hotels to make your evening even more enjoyable. Special ChadTough Defeat DIPG rates will be available soon. Book before April 1, 2027, as rooms are limited.

  • The Kensington Hotel, 3500 S.State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
  • Even Hotel, 600 Briarwood Circle, Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Part 1: Collaborate

Friday, April 30

All DIPG/DMG researchers are invited to participate in a full day of collaboration, innovation, and discover aimed at advancing the fight against these devastating brain tumors.

The morning will feature plenary talks and presentations highlighting recent breakthroughs, emerging science, and cross-institutional collaborations driving progress in the field.

In the afternoon, participants will take part in an interactive session: Combinatory Frontiers: DMG Treatment Pitches.

This year, instead of traditional breakout sessions, attendees will join one of four pre-clinical teams to design a future clinical trial. Each team, comprising a few dozen participants, will have several hours to develop innovative, multi-modal approach to treating DIPG/DMG, built on concepts and targets from their published or ongoing research.

Each team will include a clinical trialist to help shape the design and ensure clinical feasibility. The session will culminate with each group’s co-leads presenting a brief “pitch” to the full audience, sharing bold, creative strategies and sparking dialogue about the next frontier of combinatorial therapy in DIPG/DMG.

The evening will bring together researchers and ChadTough Defeat DIPG Partners for an informative Poster Session and strolling dinner reception, hosted by our founders and intended to foster networking, collaboration, and informal scientific discussions.

Saturday, May 1

Join us to hear from keynote speaker Dr. Mariella Filbin.

Keynote speaker: Dr. Mariella Filbin
Her research focuses on establishing cellular networks of tumor dependencies in pediatric brain tumors with the goal of finding new targeted therapies. Current areas of emphasis are: (1) utilizing single-cell transcriptomics to determine the tumor architecture and heterogeneity in pediatric brain tumors and (2) exploring the downstream effects of epigenetic driver mutations and their potential therapeutic applications in DIPG and high-grade gliomas.

Registration

Stay tuned for more information regarding the 2027 event.

Friday, April 30

Research Workshop
8am-4:30pm

Researchers Only
Thomson Reuters
6300 Interfirst Dr.,
Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Poster Session & Reception
7:00pm-9:00pm

Researchers + Foundation Partners
Kensington Hotel, 3500 S State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Saturday, May 1

Research Workshop
8am-12pm

Researchers + Foundation Partners
Kensington Hotel, 3500 S State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48108

ChadTough Defeat DIPG Gala, 5:30pm-11pm

Read more about our ChadTough Defeat DIPG Gala

Interested in Sponsoring?

Sponsorship opportunities are available! If you are interested in sponsoring, please reach out to us at info@chadtough.org.

Part 2: Celebrate

While the research portion of the event will conclude by noon on Saturday, there will also be an opportunity to join us that evening for our annual ChadTough Defeat DIPG Gala.

To get a sense of this incredibly moving night, where researchers are treated like celebrities, please watch this video for highlights from the event.

We are truly looking forward to gathering our community together for this special evening. This is more than a celebration — it is a powerful reminder of why we collaborate and push the boundaries of research. Seeing families, scientists, supporters, and advocates in one room, united by hope and determination, is what makes this night so meaningful every single year.