Huntsman Cancer Institute Oncological Data Science (ODSi) Training Program

Utah State Higher Education System--University Of Utah, Salt Lake City UT

Investigators

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY We propose the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) Oncological Data Science (ODSi) 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, ODSi provides a robust two-year predoctoral training program that leverages HCI research and infrastructure strengths in bioinformatics, molecular population health, and, jointly cancer data science, plus integrates trainee interactions with cancer clinicians and our Disease Centers, to provide broad multidisciplinary training in cancer biology. The program goal is to prepare young scientists to become data ambassadors and data innovators in the use of biomolecular-anchored data science techniques and methodologies to advance the understanding, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. We have carefully selected 27 experienced HCI members to serve as training faculty, with an additional 8 promising Assistant Professor mentors. The ODSi 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, Biomedical Informatics, Public Health, Population Health Science, and our MD-PhD program. These graduate programs recruit an average of 57 students annually, ensuring a deep pool of potential ODSi participants. ODSi trainees will be selected based on their academic performance, promise as cancer researchers, and commitment to cancer data science training. Training in the ODSi program includes courses in cancer data science, basic and clinical cancer biology, bioinformatics, epidemiology, and data science electives. To complement these didactic courses, our trainees will have multiple opportunities to understand cancer from a clinical and patient-centric perspective. These opportunities provide broad exposure to cancer as a disease, including exposure to different operational units within HCI, physician shadowing, and attendance at Molecular Tumor Boards. These activities are buttressed by Research-In-Progress presentations, a career development series, and participation in an annual ODSi trainee retreat. The ODSi program is strengthened by optional training activities, including internships at local biotechnology companies and a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation. ODSi trainees will receive experimental and career development advice from their mentors and their thesis committee, guided by required Individual Development Plans. The ODSi leadership team will receive guidance from an External Advisory Board comprised of leaders of successful NCI T32 programs and other cancer data science training, and an Internal Advisory Board comprised of U of U education leaders. We will use professionally-developed evaluation tools to ensure the effectiveness of the ODSi program, and we will track trainees for ten years following completion of the program.