This is a new proposal to establish a training program at Columbia University focused on training physicians in research techniques that will form the basis of careers in translational investigation of cancer biology, diagnosis and treatment. We will identify and recruit individuals with outstanding research potential who have completed clinical training in medical oncology and prepare them for productive careers as translational investigators in oncology. We will utilize a comprehensive two-year program comprised of didactics, workshops, small group sessions, coursework, including a possible master's degree, and individualized training within the research programs of Columbia University faculty to develop the careers of the participants. Funds are requested in a graded fashion to support up to 4 trainees annually. The Molecular Oncology Training Program faculty is comprised of 26 independent investigators who will provide direct supervision of the trainees. The faculty members are uniformly funded by the NCI, other branches of the NIH and other cancer-focused research organizations and have established themselves as thought-leaders in a broad range of cancer-related disciplines. Participating faculty have been identified on the basis of their research productivity and quality, demonstrated collaboration with other investigators, often across research disciplines, and a history of supporting and developing research careers that transition beyond the post-doctoral level. The trainees will be chosen competitively from a highly select group of committed physician researchers on the basis of past accomplishments and their potential to develop careers as productive, independent translational investigators. The Molecular Oncology Training Program will be supported by the diverse research resources at Columbia University and the ongoing expansion and commitment to oncology that has included both laboratory and clinically focused research. The expansion was heralded by the opening of the Irving Cancer Research Center a 300,000 square-foot building within the Columbia University Medical Center that is entirely dedicated to cancer research and the ongoing recruitment of leading clinical-translational research faculty to the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology. These changes have significantly broadened the diversity of research at Columbia University with a concomitant increase in quality that has established Columbia in the top tier of oncology programs and has attracted a pool of consummately trained physicians committed to careers in translational cancer biology.

Public Health Relevance

Cancer diagnosis and treatment has become much more complex over the past several years. We propose a training program using the considerable resources of Columbia University Medical Center to provide cancer physicians of outstanding promise the tools and skills that will be needed to make key discoveries and to develop productive research careers in academic medicine.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Institutional National Research Service Award (T32)
Project #
1T32CA203703-01
Application #
9074112
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NCI (J1)-F)
Program Officer
Lim, Susan E
Project Start
2016-07-18
Project End
2021-06-30
Budget Start
2016-07-18
Budget End
2017-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
$71,471
Indirect Cost
$4,961
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
621889815
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10032
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