Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) Cancer Genetics, Epigenetics, Models, and Signaling (Cancer GEMS) Training Program

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PROJECT SUMMARY We propose the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) Cancer Genetics, Epigenetics, Models, and Signaling (Cancer GEMS) Training Program. HCI is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and the official Cancer Center of the State of Utah. Contributing to HCI’s mission of reducing morbidity and mortality from cancer, GEMS provides a robust two-year predoctoral training program that leverages HCI research strengths in cancer genetics and epigenetics, cancer modeling, and cancer cell signaling, plus integrates trainee interactions with cancer patients, cancer clinicians, and our Disease Centers, to provide broad multidisciplinary training in cancer biology. The program goal is to prepare young scientists who are broadly trained in cancer biology and well-versed in multidisciplinary research approaches for impactful and rewarding opportunities in cancer-focused post-doctoral fellowships or other cancer-related research-intensive career paths. We have carefully selected 28 experienced HCI members to serve as training faculty, with an additional 12 promising junior faculty as associate mentors. The GEMS program will support six predoctoral candidates per year. Trainees will be recruited into mentor’s laboratories after entering the University of Utah (U of U) via graduate programs in Molecular Biology, Biological Chemistry, Public Health, and Population Health Science. The program will also recruit students from our MD-PhD program. These graduate programs recruit an average of 69 students annually, ensuring a deep pool of potential GEMS participants. GEMS trainees will be selected based on their academic performance, promise as cancer researchers, and commitment to transdisciplinary cancer training. Training in the GEMS program includes courses in basic and clinical cancer biology and cancer-focused electives. To complement these didactic courses, our trainees will have multiple opportunities to understand cancer from a clinical and patient-centric perspective. These opportunities include broad exposure to cancer as a disease, including interactions with patients, exposure to different operational units within HCI, physician shadowing, and attendance at Treatment Planning Conferences. These activities are buttressed by Research-In-Progress presentations, a career development series, and participation at an annual GEMS trainee retreat. The GEMS program is strengthened by optional training activities, including a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and a certificate in Genome Sciences. GEMS trainees will receive experimental and career development advice, the latter guided by required Individual Development Plans, from their mentor and their thesis committee. The GEMS leadership team will receive guidance from an External Advisory Committee comprised of leaders of successful NCI T32 programs and a Steering Committee comprised of U of U education leaders. We will use professional evaluation tools to ensure the effectiveness of the GEMS program, and we will track trainees following completion of the program.