Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination

University Of Colorado Denver, Aurora CO

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT The mission of the UCCC Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) office is to serve and improve the care of cancer patients by fostering the careers of early-stage investigators and providing education and training activities across the spectrum of academic levels. CRTEC's objectives are to introduce and encourage the next generation of trainees to pursue careers in cancer research, nurture the careers of junior faculty, increase the participation of individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, and provide education and training activities to all faculty. Strategies employed include leveraging University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus' (UCAMC) and UCCC members' strong commitment to education and training; developing innovative approaches for training and mentoring cancer researchers; periodically evaluating and refining cancer-related education activities; interacting closely with UCCC research programs; and collaborating with UCCC's Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) Office to establish novel activities relevant to our catchment area. These objectives are accomplished through the following aims: Aim 1: Provide comprehensive cancer research education, training, and career enhancement activities across a wide continuum of trainees and faculty. Aim 2, Coordinate cancer center-wide activities for mentoring the next generation of basic, clinical and population science researchers. Aim 3 Nurture the pipeline and expand the diversity of cancer researchers while integrating basic, clinical, and population health research. UCCC fills a unique niche in the nation's Cancer Center program by serving a diverse catchment area that includes a large Latino and rural population. UCCC offers a rich environment for training, educating, and helping advance careers in clinical, basic, and population cancer research. From 2016-2020, trainees ranging from middle school to faculty, administrative staff, and community members, participated in an array of cancer-specific training and education activities offered by UCCC. In strong support of cancer-related career training activities and career development, the UCCC and UCAMC invested ~$8.6M since 2016 in these efforts. The UCCC CRTEC serves as the organizational and support center for education and training, mentoring, preparing education-related grants and training programs, sharing best practices, monitoring, and refining research training needs, and program evaluation.