Training Grant in Cancer Biology

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This revised application seeks renewal for Years 11-15 of the Training Program in Cancer Biology (T32CB) in the Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC) at the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB). We are requesting support for 4 predoctoral students and 4 postdoctoral fellows each year. To enrich the T32CB, UMGCCC will provide an additional postdoc position, especially an underrepresented minority, raising the total T32CB postdoc slots to 5/year. T32CB focuses on multidisciplinary cancer biology research training with a translational mission. Our objectives are: 1) to provide productive bidirectional translation between lab and clinic through research and didactic sessions, 2) to provide outstanding training in critical areas of contemporary basic and translational cancer research and 3) to recruit and retain a strong group of expert faculty mentors to enable networked productivity of trainees. These objectives are accomplished in a carefully structured program that ensures individual flexibility with specific cancer-focused components. The 36 mentors were selected from UMGCCC faculty based on their published scientific achievements, track record of research funding, interest in translational cancer research and experience in mentoring trainees. The predoc component, which includes PhD and MD/PhD scholars, builds from and enhances training in the Cancer Biology Track of the Graduate Program in Life Sciences (GPILS). The postdoc component provides research training for PhD, MD and MD/PhD postdocs, including physician-scientists during the research years of Surgery residency or Hematology/Medical Oncology fellowship training. A longstanding T32CB strength is integration of predoc students, postdoc PhD- scientists, and physician-scientists who participate side-by-side in journal clubs (JC), in research-in-progress (RIP) seminars and at the bench in laboratories. The T32CB enjoys strong institutional support and an outstanding research training environment, with collaborative relationships between translational and basic cancer research faculty and access to cutting-edge technologies that facilitate specialized research activities. Based on program evaluations, several innovations are proposed in this renewal application, including expanded training in cancer genomics/bioinformatics and exposure to cancer bioengineering. Professional development opportunities prepare all trainees for the next stages in their careers. The T32CB training record is extremely strong: trainees publish productively and are recipients of awards, grants and fellowships. The effectiveness of our mission to train the next generation of cancer researchers is high, with 100% of T32CB graduates continuing in research-related careers. The T32CB leverages UMGCCC’s emphasis on cancer disparities to attract and train underrepresented minorities at a high rate (18%). A new Diversity Advisory Committee will further enhance T32CB recruitment and retention of highly qualified trainees from diverse backgrounds. Our team science approach, guided by stellar mentors, enables our talented physician- and PhD-scientists to create and contribute to transdisciplinary science that is likely to yield innovative benefits for cancer patients.