Author: Krista Gaedtke

AI in Cancer Surgery and Care Conference features wide range of expertise and fosters interdisciplinary dialogue

A panel discussion featuring two females and one male, during the AI in Cancer Surgery and Care Conference

In partnership with the Cancer Center at Illinois, the University of Illinois College of Law hosted the AI in Cancer Surgery and Care Conference on September 4th and 5th, 2025.

Organized by Sara Gerke, Associate Professor of Law & Richard W. & Marie L. Corman Scholar at the University of Illinois, the conference brought together a diverse group of experts to explore the transformative impact of AI on cancer diagnosis, treatment, and surgery. Keynote addresses were delivered by Dr. Ronan Cahill (University College Dublin) and Dr. Ravi Parikh (Emory University), and panel discussions featured 17 additional speakers from within academia and the medical field. The conference facilitated dialogue across disciplines and addressed not only medical and technical breakthroughs, but also the ethical and legal implications of these innovations. 

A male speaker presents during the AI in Cancer Surgery and Care Conference
Timothy Fan, a presenter at the AI in Cancer Surgery and Care Conference, holds a microphone and speaks
Dr. Ronan Cahill delivers a keynote address during the AI in Cancer Surgery and Care Conference
A woman holds a microphone and speaks during the AI in Cancer Surgery and Care Conference
Professor Sara Gerke and other panelists enjoy a reception during the AI in Cancer Surgery and Care Conference
Dr. Rohit Bhargava delivers a keynote address during the AI in Cancer Surgery and Care Conference

Aronson and Curtis selected for OpEd Project Public Voices Fellowship

College of Law building.

Professors Lauren Aronson and Yulanda Curtis have been selected for the University of Illinois System OpEd Project/Public Voices Fellowship. The program is part of a national initiative to help faculty amplify their expertise in ways that can contribute to public conversations about pressing issues.

The 20 faculty members in the 2025-26 cohort will attend four sessions during the 2025-26 academic year and will be paired with a journalism mentor who provides one-on-one editing and coaching. Fellows will publish two or more op-ed pieces during the program.

Congratulations to all of the faculty who were selected for this year’s program:

Chicago

  • Veerasathpurush Allareddy, professor and department head of orthodontics, College of Dentistry
  • Daylan Dufelmeier, director, Office of Community Engagement and Neighborhood Health Partnerships
  • Giamila Fantuzzi, professor and associate head, department of kinesiology and nutrition, College of Applied Health Sciences
  • Jeni Hebert-Beirne, professor, Division of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health

Springfield

  • Akash Belsare, assistant professor, department of English and modern languages

Urbana-Champaign

  • Luvell Anderson, professor, department of philosophy, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Lauren Aronson, clinical professor, director of Immigration Law Clinic, College of Law
  • Jose Atiles, assistant professor, department of sociology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Maria Bonn, associate professor and director, master of science in library and information science, School of Information Sciences
  • Yulanda Curtis, clinical professor, College of Law
  • Verena Erlenbusch-Anderson, associate professor, department of philosophy, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Rachel Hoopsick, assistant professor, department of health and kinesiology, College of Applied Health Sciences
  • Kathryn Huff, associate professor, department of nuclear, plasma, and radiological engineering, and director of advanced reactors and fuel cycles group, The Grainger College of Engineering
  • Fatima Husain, professor, department of speech and hearing science, and associate dean, College of Applied Health Sciences
  • Martin Persson, assistant professor, department of accountancy, Gies College of Business
  • Mary Phillips, associate professor, department of African American studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Koustuv Saha, assistant professor, department of computer science, Siebel School of Computing and Data Science
  • Bobby Smith II, associate professor, department of African American studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Haileleol Tibebu, assistant professor, School of Information Sciences
  • Travis Wagner, assistant professor, School of Information Sciences

Robert F. Wrobel ’70

Robert (Bob) Wrobel passed away on July 30, 2025. He was affiliated with the Stinson Mag law firm in Kansas City, Missouri; prior to that he was General Counsel for the Marley Company of Mission Woods, Kansas; General Counsel of the Duracell Corporation; and Vice President and Chief Legal officer of Alpharma, Inc. He retired in 2007 to Lakewood Ranch, Florida.

Dave Watson “85

Dave Watson is retiring from Reynolds Consume Products, where he served as General Counsel the past 10 years, including during Reynolds 2020 initial public offering.

Marvis Barnes ‘14

Marvis Barnes has joined Brookfield Properties, the real estate arm of Brookfield Asset Management, as an Associate General Counsel. Marvis previously practiced at K&L Gates LLP in Chicago, IL.

Thomas D. Berghman ’12

In recognition of his legal excellence, Thomas D. Berghman, a Shareholder with Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. (Munsch Hardt) in Dallas, was featured in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America directory in the Insurance Law category.

Wilson witnesses bill she provided written testimony for be signed into law at Wisconsin State Capitol

Professor Robin Fretwell Wilson poses with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and patient advocate Sarah Wright.

On Friday, August 8, 2025, Professor Robin Fretwell Wilson had the privilege of attending the signing of bill SB 14 at the Wisconsin State Capitol, making Wisconsin the 29th state to afford patients respect in medical teaching. Wilson filed written testimony in May that was used in both Wisconsin Senate and Assembly hearings surrounding the bill, wherein she advocated for written, informed consent for educational pelvic exams. Wilson is pictured with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Wisconsin patient advocate Sarah Wright. Wilson says that her Illinois Law students have benefitted from Sarah’s commitment to this cause, as she has guest lectured in class and will be returning again this fall to discuss the passage of SB 14 with Wilson’s students.

Mazzone explains how SCOTUS order in Louisiana redistricting case could have major implications for Voting Rights Act

Professor Jason Mazzone speaks during a panel

Professor Jason Mazzone recently spoke to the Alabama Reflector regarding an order from the U.S. Supreme Court to the parties in a Louisiana redistricting case. The Court asked parties to submit briefs on whether majority-minority congressional districts violate the 14th and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Experts say the Court may be considering invalidating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which forbids election laws that discriminate based on race, color or membership in language minority groups.

“The case might result in the Court invalidating entirely Section 2 of the VRA on the basis that the Constitution is color blind and it bars race-conscious districting, including when mandated by Congress to remedy historical racial discrimination in voting,” Mazzone said. “Such a result would represent a massive change in election laws and practices with seismic consequences for democratic processes at every level of government.”

Read the full article at alabamareflector.com.

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