Research Education Core

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PROJECT SUMMARY Research Education Core TUFCCC: Dr. Carolyn Fang (Co-Leader) HC: Dr. Olorunseun Ogunwobi The Research Education Core (REC) builds upon our successful 5-year U54 Partnership and rigorous multidisciplinary training environment at Temple University-Fox Chase Cancer Center (TUFCCC) and Hunter College (HC). The overarching goal of the REC is to promote inclusive excellence in the training and professional and scientific development of Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs) and students through intensive mentored experiences in cancer health disparities research. The REC leverages exceptional institutional strengths in training and research education across TUFCCC and HC, the outstanding core facilities of an NCI- designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, our combined interdisciplinary research infrastructure in population, clinical, translational and basic sciences, and a diverse student population across both institutions. In addition to research training, the Research Education Core will nurture and mentor students throughout their studies, infuse 21st century skills of collaboration and communication, and develop professional career opportunities. The overarching goal of the Research Education Core is to support educational activities that complement and enhance the training of a diverse workforce to meet the nation’s cancer research needs. To achieve this goal, the Research Education Core will address the following specific aims: Aim 1. Provide mentorship and research support for 8 diverse ESIs to enhance career development and facilitate their transition to independent investigators in cancer disparities research. The two-year fellowship will culminate with an application for external funding to support the trainee’s transition into an independent investigator. Aim 2. Implement an enhanced 10- week Summer Cancer Research Institute (SCRI) for 15 undergraduate and graduate students in biomedical or population cancer research per year (75 students over 5 years). Our successful SCRI program, which offers unique training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in biomedical, clinical, or population- based cancer research, will be expanded from 10 to 15 trainees per year (a 50% increase). Aim 3. Facilitate academic-community research opportunities to support the conduct of culturally appropriate cancer research in partnership with underserved minority communities and populations. In collaboration with the COC and key community partners, the REC will establish a semester-long rotation for ESIs and other trainees to foster greater skills in conducting community-engaged research to address health disparities. These novel training opportunities offered through collaborative academic-community partnerships will provide innovative hands-on fieldwork experiences for trainees. In sum, the Research Education Core will promote inclusive excellence in building a diverse workforce by breaking systemic barriers (including structural inequities and limited access to mentored training), building a sense of community, and offering a sustainable pathway for impacting change and advancing the careers of ESIs and other trainees working in cancer health disparities.