Research Training in Surgical Oncology

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PROJECT SUMMARY The decrease in the number of physician-scientists correlates with the NIH’s concern regarding the lack of skilled investigators capable of leading the translation of research discoveries to clinical practice. To address this national shortage, the Department of Surgery at the University of Miami (UM) Health System and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (Sylvester), have re-dedicated the renewal of this T32 training program to producing outstanding academic surgical oncologists—both clinician investigators and physician scientists. Integration of a two-year research experience into a general surgery residency or surgical oncology fellowship enhances the likelihood that surgeons will pursue academic careers. The trainees who have completed the research portion of their training are currently completing their clinical training, and we anticipate that they will pursue academic careers in fields related to surgical oncology following completion of their training. Trainees have demonstrated tremendous productivity as evidenced by publications, national presentations, and awards. The specific objectives of this program are to: 1) provide training in the conduct of basic, translational, health services, disparities and clinical hypothesis- driven research, through participation in a two-year, tailored didactic and mentored post-doctoral research training program experience; 2) integrate surgical oncology research into general surgery residency and fellowship programs; and 3) develop and expand the pool of surgeon-scientists to become productive researchers and future leaders in academic surgical oncology. Our program provides opportunities in a broad range of research training disciplines through two types of research tracks: 1) a basic and translational science research track in which trainees spend 24 months in the laboratory or 2) a health disparities and outcomes research track in which trainees spend 24 months under the direction of one or two of the faculty mentors; this track may include either one year of laboratory-based research followed by a year of population-based research or two years of population-based research. This versatility in academic training increases the likelihood of obtaining an academic position upon completion of training. The mentors in our program include a pool of experienced, extramurally funded physician- and research-scientists with active research programs in a variety of surgical oncology-related disciplines including surgery, oncology, population health, health disparities, and biomedical engineering, who are committed to the highest quality research experience. Our T32 Research Training Program in Surgical Oncology incorporates an effective assessment processes, a plan to promote diversity by recruiting and retaining both women and minorities, and a comprehensive plan for training in the responsible conduct of research in a dynamic, stimulating and collegial learning environment in which aspiring academic surgical oncologists can receive research training.