Buckeye Talks on Tap welcomes Ohio State Marion Associate Professor of Molecular Genetics, Dr. Ruben Petreaca to Bucci’s Italian Scratch Kitchen, in downtown Marion on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., for a lecture titled, “Cancer Mutation Signatures at High Resolution.”
In this Buckeye Talks on Tap, Dr. Petreaca, who conducts research as a member of Ohio State’s James Comprehensive Cancer Center, will discuss details of his research.
According to Petreaca, although all cancers are characterized by an accumulation of mutations, not all mutations are equal. Some mutations known as "driver" are key to causing cancer while many accumulate in the background and are known as "passenger". Using artificial intelligence algorithms, we can now identify which mutations are important for cancer and can generate specific signatures that distinguish one cancer from another. This research has implications in diagnosis, prognostication, and therapy.
The presentation will also include a discussion of how undergraduate students can be leveraged for high quality scientific research which also serves the mission of the Ohio State’s regional campuses to provide education beyond the classroom and promote student success.
Buckeye Talks on Tap is free and open to all and offers community members a chance to explore timely issues in an accessible, conversational setting. Inspired by the international Science Café movement, the series brings scholars and citizens together in relaxed environments—pubs, restaurants, and cafés—to discuss topics that matter to our region and our nation.
The event will take place at Bucci’s Italian Scratch Kitchen inside Passenger & Rail Co., 320 W. Center St., Marion, Ohio. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the lecture at 5:30 p.m. followed by a short Q&A. Attendees will be entered into a door prize drawing provided by Marcie DeWitt of Anchor and Away Travel. Guests are welcome to purchase dinner or drinks during the program.
Ohio State Marion looks forward to welcoming the community to this timely conversation and reaffirming its commitment to open inquiry, civil dialogue, and shared learning.
The Ohio State University at Marion was established in 1957 in Marion, Ohio as one of four Ohio State regional campuses. The 187-acre campus provides an open access portal to Ohio's flagship university, faculty expertise, and the breadth and depth of opportunity synonymous with one of the country's top public universities. Students can earn a bachelor's degree in biology, business, education, engineering technology, English, history, leadership, psychology, or social work on the Marion campus or begin any of 200+ Ohio State degree programs. Ohio State Marion's caring community of world-renowned faculty scholars and researchers and dedicated staff are passionate about fostering the full potential of each student in an inclusive environment that embraces the idea of caring and personal attention. Ohio State Marion prepares students for meaningful careers through innovative, engaging, and inclusive learning experiences and seeks to be the destination of choice for those seeking a university education at a campus recognized for excellence in teaching, research, community outreach, and citizenship.