California State University - Interdisciplinary Cancer Meeting (CSU-ICM)

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R13 Application Kelber, Tamae, De Bellard Title: The California State University – Interdisciplinary Cancer Meeting (CSU-ICM) PROJECT SUMMARY The average mortality across all cancer types remains at over 30%. To develop transformative solutions to central problems in oncology research, we have established the biennial California State University – Interdisciplinary Cancer Meeting (CSU-ICM). This application is to support the 2022 meeting on The Tumor Microenvironment: Challenges and Opportunities that will be held on Friday, October 21 at the California State University Northridge, Plaza del Sol Performance Hall. This meeting addresses the need for cancer research meetings that provide affordable and focused platforms for interdisciplinary exchange between life scientists, non-life scientists and cancer experts. The inaugural 2018 CSU-ICM welcomed Dr. Joan Brugge and over 150 participants. The second CSU-ICM in 2020 was virtual due to COVID19 but was a big success and welcomed Dr. Carlos Arteaga and over 70 participants. This application is based upon preliminary data collected from the 2018 and 2020 events demonstrating diversity of participation at ethnic, discipline, geographic and institute levels. We postulate that strategic expansion of this meeting will stimulate novel, collaborative lines of investigation that lead to transformative advances in cancer research and increase diversity in oncology research. The short talk sessions will be chaired by faculty leaders and designed around trainee presentations - increasing the upward mobility of those traditionally underrepresented in cancer research. Involvement of cancer survivor- advocates will underscore the need to ensure that even the most basic science research is grounded in clear personal perspective. The world-renowned plenary speakers ensure the highest quality of scientific exchange. The graduate school information session will provide a tangible conduit for undergraduate and masters-level graduate students to gain meaningful insights about program and application details from faculty representatives at top-tier R1 institutions. Finally, the poster session is designed to foster scientific exchange, networking opportunities and constructive feedback on work-in-progress. In summary, the CSU-ICM is designed to advance scientific knowledge, learning, and discovery; promotion of professional development; and preparation of a diverse scientific workforce while also fulfilling an important need in the broader cancer research community.