Vanderbilt Clinical Oncology Research Career Development Award

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PROJECT SUMMARY The Vanderbilt Clinical Oncology Research Career Development Program (VCORCDP) provides junior faculty conducting patient-oriented research in cancer with the tools and experience to design and implement hypothesis-driven research and effectively lead cancer research projects. This program is a cornerstone of the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), and its activities are embedded across the entire VICC enterprise, training leading investigators from every specialty related to cancer. This program ensures that we develop a strong and diverse pipeline of emerging investigators who have the skills necessary to drive impactful programs, and who have been accelerated in their trajectory by multidisciplinary and community-engaged focused learning. The primary components of VCORCDP are mentored clinical research in oncology coupled with tailored didactic training that may lead to a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation or other approved individualized educational pathway and group skill development, with exposure to the breadth of cancer research. Our mentors are a diverse group of 39 committed, experienced faculty. Scholars conduct research across the cancer care continuum in one of three domains: 1) Clinical Trials and Drug Development, 2) Translational Cancer Biology, and 3) Cancer Health Outcomes and Epidemiology. Through regular meetings with the Program Directors, peer scholars, and mentorship committees, as well as preparation of Individual Development Plans and structured Progress Reports, VCORCDP scholars tailor their career development to be able to address the most relevant and meaningful issues in their field. The program is co-led by two physician scientists, a medical oncologist who conducts translational research and a pediatric oncologist who conducts population science and clinical research. An Internal Advisory Committee representing the diversity of VCORCDP research evaluates the progress of individual scholars and the program’s success. Metrics include diversity of program participants, program completion, retention in research-focused careers, funding success, publication, and impact. An External Advisory Committee, composed of a cancer epidemiologist, a community representative, and four oncology physician-scientists, provides input into the scientific direction of program, ensures it is meeting national workforce needs and cancer priorities, and monitors progress, accomplishments, and trajectory to further programmatic advancement. Fifty-six scholars have entered the VCORCDP since its inception, 57% male and 43% female. As of June 2021, seven scholars (12%) represent URiM groups. Our 56 scholars have published over 1,800 manuscripts over their careers to date. Of the 50 scholars who have graduated, 45 (90%) continue in research-intensive careers, and 38 of the 45 (84%) have peer-reviewed grant support, including clinical trials. The VCORCDP is poised to continue to successfully develop investigators to lead patient-oriented cancer research and advance cancer care.