Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Consortium Career Development Program in Clinical Oncology

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The goal of the Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Consortium Career Development Program in Clinical Oncology (DF/HCC K12) is to prepare the next generation of clinical investigators in oncology to work at the interface of laboratory science, clinical medicine, and population science. We propose the following Specific Aims to continue this highly successful training program for physician/scientists from various disciplines: Aim 1: We will recruit and select a highly qualified group of K12 Scholars. We will issue an annual Request for Applications (RFA) using a variety of mechanisms to reach the widest possible pool of candidates. An Internal Advisory Committee (IAC), comprised of 16 DF/HCC faculty members with leadership roles and established track records in original research and mentoring, will assist Program Leadership with Scholar selection. We request a continuation of support for five Scholars per year with two-year appointments and the potential for one additional year contingent on sufficient progress and continued demonstration of a need for mentored support. Aim 2: We will provide a program of rigorous didactic training, career development, and mentored clinical oncology research. Each Scholar will be guided by two Faculty Mentors, one for laboratory (or data science) training, and one for clinical investigation. A group of 35 highly qualified and motivated Faculty Mentors have been identified, but Scholars may elect to include additional mentors from the pool of >1,100 investigators within the seven DF/HCC institutions, as well as faculty from the Koch Institute at MIT and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT. An individualized career development plan will be devised and updated annually by the Scholars with input from the Mentors that includes components of required and optional didactic training, hands-on laboratory research, and development of a clinical trial. Aim 3: We will monitor the performance and refine the K12 Program to optimize recruitment and training of new investigators in clinical oncology research. The IAC will review annual progress reports from Scholars and Mentors and make recommendations for changes in mentoring and/or research focus, as needed. An External Advisory Committee (EAC), comprised of five PDs from other successful K12 Programs, will evaluate Program performance, participate in an annual retreat, and provide recommendations for Program enhancements to the K12 Leadership. The Program will track Scholar productivity, including presentations, publications, promotions, grants, and clinical trial activity on an annual basis.