Developmental Research Program

University Of Michigan At Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor MI

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Recognizing that developmental research funds are an integral part of the Michigan Prostate SPORE, we commit approximately $100,000 per year to these endeavors. This represents a significant portion of the Prostate SPORE budget and reflects the continued commitment to the development of innovative translational research in prostate cancer. The focus of the Developmental Research Program (DRP) is to provide investigators with the resources to generate preliminary data for the submission of an R01 grant application or be the basis for a future SPORE project. Investigators from outside the field of prostate cancer are encouraged to apply through campus-wide announcements as well as through personal interactions with the SPORE investigators. We developed a stepwise proposal solicitation and review process for pilot projects utilizing an NIH-type PHS 398 format that has been streamlined for rapid turnaround of research proposals and which recognizes that these projects may have little preliminary data. Since 1995, we have invested over $4.0 million in our DRP, funding a total of 93 investigators though 81 pilot projects, 63 seed grants, and 35 summer student projects. These awards have led to over $50 million in subsequent SPORE and non-SPORE peer-reviewed funding and over 150 published manuscripts. During this current grant cycle, we funded five pilot projects ($50K each) that led to over $9.5 million in subsequent peer-reviewed grant funding and 15 publications. Drs. Robert Dess and Ulka Vaishampayan will serve as Co-Directors for the DRP. Dr. Dess is an Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology and Chief of the Genitourinary Radiotherapy Program at U-M. His research focuses on maximizing cancer treatment efficacy and minimizing disparities in timely, high-quality care delivery. Dr. Dess is well positioned to develop and support new investigators and to help them translate findings into practice and will serve as a clinical expert. Dr. Vaishampayan is a Professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at U-M. She is also the Chair of the Phase I Clinical Trials Program at the Rogel Cancer Center. She has vast experience in translational drug development and early phase clinical trials in cancer, with a focus on genitourinary cancers. Dr. Vaishampayan will provide expertise in translational and clinical research to DRP awardees. In this proposal, the DRP will be employing $75,000/year of institutional cost-share funds. We are requesting the remaining $25,0000 per year from NCI.