Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination

Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem NC

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

CANCER RESEARCH EDUCATION TRAINING AND COORDINATION (CRTEC): PROJECT SUMMARY The goal of the Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) is to increase the pool of next- generation cancer researchers and professionals and to develop and integrate cancer-focused training, education, and professional development activities across all levels of learners. This is realized through sustaining and growing the depth and breadth of the cancer research enterprise by recruiting promising junior faculty members, student/postdoctoral trainees, and other medical professionals, and by providing them with strong mentoring and training support. CRTEC is led by Kounosuke Watabe, PhD, Associate Director, and Heidi Klepin, MD, MS, Assistant Director. Both have extensive experience in translational and clinical cancer research training and education. Annually, CRTEC provides career development services to over 800 individuals, including high school and undergraduate students, pre- and postdoctoral trainees, faculty members, and medical professionals. Over the project period, CRTEC designed tailored programs that have trained more than 180 under-represented minorities (URMs), or 22% of all its trainees. CRTEC also helped establish two new NCI-funded T32 training programs and one NCI-funded R25 entitled, “Training Program to Promote Diversity in Cancer”. Through this R25 award, CRTEC built a community network with two Historically Black Colleges and University institutions in the catchment area of Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center (WFBCCC) to recruit underrepresented trainees. Over 100 Cancer Center members participate in seven other NIH-funded training programs. Since 2016, more than 90 pre- and post-doctoral trainees are now independent faculty members at various institutions, 13 faculty members received career development awards, and 18 junior faculty obtained R-type research funding as a result of rigorous training and mentoring activities. CRTEC is strongly committed to supporting the career development of next-generation cancer researchers and has developed multiple innovative approaches, including a Cancer Career Development Award, Clinical Trial Boot Camp, Director's Cancer Research Award for Trainees, NIH F/K grant workshops, and travel awards for pre- and post- doctoral fellows. In addition, CRTEC successfully advocated for salary support of Institutional training program Directors and funding for high school summer internships. To further strengthen the WFBCCC training infrastructure, CRTEC sets four Specific Aims for the next funding period: (1) provide a strong infrastructure to train next-generation cancer researchers and professionals, and sustain an integrated system to support assessment, and outcome tracking for all levels of trainees; (2) coordinate and assist in mentoring activities and career development; (3) coordinate CRTEC activities with Research Programs, Community Outreach and Engagement, Clinical Protocol Data Management, Disease-Oriented Teams, and Shared Resources and integrate with other institutional training efforts; and (4) support career development for underrepresented and women trainees, faculty, and other medical professionals.