The proposed Diversity Supplement project aims to develop new MR detector hardware to enable a new direction in the clinical management of prostate cancer. African-American men have the world's highest incidence of prostate cancer and a more than two-fold higher mortality rate compared with whites. Also, African-American men have twice the risk of non-Hispanic whites for presenting with advanced-stage prostate cancer. This means that it is critical to identify and stage aggressive, advanced prostate cancer accurately in this under-represented population. The parent grant is focused on improved MR molecular imaging of primary, organ-confined prostate-cancer and detecting response to therapy in bone and liver (distant) metastases. The proposed research in this diversity supplement, is within the scope of parent grant, but will be focused on developing novel 13C/1H RF detector hardware and methods for increased HP [1-13C]pyruvate & 1H mpMRI sensitivity and coverage to detect aggressive cancers within the prostate and local spread to the prostatic bed & adjacent lymph nodes. This is of particular relevance for African-American patients who more often present with advanced stage disease that has extra-capsular spread beyond the prostate and to nearby lymph nodes. As shown in his attached biosketch, the candidate is a highly motivated, successful trainee who meets the eligibility criteria and will benefit greatly from this diversity supplement in terms of his research, education, and efforts to promote diversity. This award will clearly enable the candidate to promote diversity within the Joint Bioengineering Program at UC Berkeley and UCSF with currently only a small number of African-American students, and ultimately science nationally to expand the number and input of under-represented minority scientists especially in the field of Bioengineering. He has been highly active in promoting diversity currently as a UC BioE graduate student. He is a member of Black Graduate Engineering and Science Students (BGESS) and benefiting the community through the East African High School Outreach Program at UC Berkeley. The diversity supplement career development plan is designed to expand the scientific knowledge and independent research capabilities of the candidate. The goals are to: 1) Improve knowledge and research skills in MR hardware and acquisition methods; 2) Learn patient study design and conduct; 3) Statistical and clinical study considerations; and 4) Grant and scientific writing skills leading to the submission of a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship to Promote Diversity in Health- Related Research (Parent F31 - Diversity) in the second year (12/8/21 or 4/8/22).
The goal of this diversity supplement to the parent Bioengineering Research Partnership project is to develop new MR molecular imaging hardware and techniques to better detect aggressive cancers metastasizing beyond the prostate gland and local spread to the prostatic bed & adjacent lymph nodes. This is of particular relevance for identifying and subsequently treating patients presenting with advanced stage disease that has extra-capsular spread beyond the prostate.
