Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination

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ABSTRACT – CANCER RESEARCH TRAINING AND EDUCATION COORDINATION (CRTEC) The O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center (O’Neal) is strongly committed to strategically preparing the next generation of cancer researchers, physicians, and early stage investigators with the tools necessary to be dynamic leaders in cancer research and treatment. Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) is led by the Associate Director for Education and Training, assisted by a full-time Education Coordinator, and is guided by the mission of O’Neal with input from an Internal Advisory Committee. In order to seamlessly integrate cancer training and education of biomedical researchers, population scientists, and health care professionals into programmatic efforts, we established the Cancer Training and Career Development Office (CTCDO) housed at O’Neal. The CTCDO aligns its training programs closely with those of the eight Schools, and the Center for Community Outreach Development. CTCDO interacts with O’Neal Research Programs, Community Outreach and Engagement, and Shared Resources to provide outstanding opportunities for learning, scientific discussions, and career enhancement at O’Neal. In this section, we describe the role of the CTCDO (i) in educating and training the next generation of cancer clinicians and researchers and (ii) in effectively reaching out to, and training, individuals from populations that are historically underrepresented in cancer research, to create a more inclusive workforce that serves the needs of the diverse society in our catchment area. To maintain and expand O’Neal’s cancer research career enrichment activities, CTCDO has developed three specific aims for the next five years. Aim 1: Develop and enhance cancer education and training activities across the UAB community. Aim 2: Enhance the career success of early-stage investigators in cancer-focused research by providing career enrichment activities. Aim 3: Create pathways for underrepresented minority populations at all training stages to pursue careers in cancer research and cancer care. CTCDO adds value to O’Neal by (1) building and maintaining an infrastructure that coordinates and facilitates our diverse, expansive, and established cancer-related education and training opportunities; (2) improving and evolving cancer-related training activities for trainees at all levels; (3) augmenting professional growth of faculty through a multi-disciplinary faculty mentorship program, formalized grant-writing initiatives, and peer review programs; (4) enriching educational opportunities for oncology healthcare professionals at O’Neal and affiliate partners in our state; and (5) enhancing inclusion of underrepresented minorities in the cancer workforce including trainees from diverse racial/ethnic minorities, lower socioeconomic households, and rural populations who represent a significant untapped pool of talent from the O’Neal catchment area.