Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination

Columbia University Health Sciences, New York NY

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

CRTEC leadership and their administrative team facilitate and coordinate cancer research training and education across the continuum, with robust pipeline opportunities for biomedical cancer researchers and health professionals. CRTEC activities span the training continuum from (Aim 1) junior scholars, including middle/high school, undergraduate, and postbaccalaureate students; (Aim 2) graduate scholars, including graduate and health professional students and postdoctoral clinical/research fellows; and (Aim 3) early faculty. Reflecting the HICCC dedication to training the next generation of cancer researchers, CRTEC has been markedly enhanced during this project period. For example, peer-reviewed funding for cancer training increased from $3.7M to $7.2M since the last submission, with Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) Member-led training grants (e.g., T32s, R25s) expanding from 10 to 16. Since 2020, CRTEC implemented several new programs for over 2,000 junior scholars (eCLOSE, Scientific Enrichment Month, YES in THE HEIGHTS) and close to 500, Trainee Associate Member program, Rising Stars in Engineering in Health), as well as grant-writing workshops and pilot funding for over 40 early faculty. CRTEC is co-led by Katherine D Crew, MD, MS and Jasmine A McDonald, PhD who have complementary roles that necessitate co-directorship with reinforcement of strategy, operational, and fiscal implementation. Crew, Avon Products Foundation Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology, medical oncologist, and clinical researcher, leads training and career development activities for postdoctoral fellows and early faculty, particularly clinician-scientists and translational researchers. McDonald, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, NCI-funded breast cancer researcher, and molecular epidemiologist, leads training and mentoring for middle/high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. Together, they apply their complementary expertise to enable progression of scholars across the training continuum. CRTEC works with the Community Outreach and Engagement Offices to advance the HICCC’s deep commitment to its Catchment Area. CRTEC coordinates cohesively and synergistically with the four Research Programs and with other institutional efforts to maximize impact and reduce overlap. Cancer training and education is the HICCC’s Strategic Pillar 5 with priority goals that include: (1) Recruit, retain, and advance the scholar workforce; (2) Improve training experiences and opportunities for pre- and postdoctoral fellows; (3) Enhance the clinician-scientist pathway to facilitate team science in translational cancer research. Supported by the HICCC, CRTEC has created a robust institutional home for cancer scholars at all stages, providing rich opportunities for learning, mentorship, networking, funding, and more. As metrics of success, junior and graduate scholars have advanced in their career trajectories and pilot funding has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts and almost 4-fold return in extramural funding.