Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination

Rutgers Biomedical And Health Sciences, Newark NJ

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

CANCER RESEARCH TRAINING AND EDUCATION COORDINATION (CRTEC) PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT CRTEC leverages Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey’s (CINJ’s) multi-disciplinary environment, resources, and Consortium to train a diverse workforce of Basic, Clinical, and Population Researchers cancer scientists, in partnership with the Offices of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Edmund C. Lattime, PhD, leads CRTEC with the support of Sunita Chaudhary, PhD. An Internal Advisory Committee (with representation from Research Programs, COE, DEI) and an External Advisor provides additional guidance. CRTEC supports curriculum development and submission of individual and institutional training grants, and coordinates incentives for trainees who receive external grant funding and travel awards for them to present at regional/national meetings. CRTEC initiatives are integrated with Research Programs across the Consortium. CRTEC collects vital trainee metrics to report to key stakeholders and for grant submissions. Aligned with CINJ’s Strategic Plan, CRTEC aims to: 1) leverage strengths of the Consortium to secure Training Grants to develop the next generation of Basic, Clinical, and Population Researchers; 2) organize educational initiatives that integrate with Research Programs to contribute to training across the Consortium and the community; 3) provide mentorship and comprehensive University-wide resources to trainees and junior faculty to support professional development; and 4) integrate DEI in all education and training initiatives. In this grant period, CRTEC was instrumental in developing new opportunities and educational forums and coordinating resources to successfully train the next generation of a diverse scientific research and clinical cancer workforce. Eleven NIH institutional training grants (4 from NCI) were secured by CINJ Members in this grant period, with two other NIH training grants at Princeton University (PU) involving Members as mentors; CINJ Members/their trainees also secured 17 NIH individual training awards (5 F, 7 K, 5 R00). NCI-funded institutional training grants increased from zero to four and individual NIH training grants increased from 23 to 27 (17%) compared to the last funding period. CINJ faculty secured new NCI funding to train high school science teachers and students (high school, undergraduate, medical) from underrepresented backgrounds (R25 and Diversity Supplement); secured an NCI T32 Training Grant for post-doctoral trainees; developed new undergraduate summer internship programs with PU and undergraduate and graduate programs with regional academic institutions including Middlesex College (funded, in part, through a $25M work-force training award from Middlesex County, NJ); mentored >500 research and >50 clinical trainees; and reached thousands of K-12 students through the Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science Program and other initiatives. Future plans include securing additional training grant funding with research mentors from across the Consortium (e.g., Post-doctoral Training Program in Cancer Genomics and Systems Biology to be submitted in 2023), developing Consortium-wide training initiatives, and collaborative opportunities with COE and DEI to engage the diverse communities in our catchment area.