Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination

PROJECT SUMMARY The Fred Hutch/University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Cancer Consortium aims to be at the forefront of training the next generation of cancer scientists and clinicians. Education and training have always been a core value and central to our mission, and we propose here to emphasize and enhance our training mission and impact. The Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) component serves as a centralized resource that leverages substantial institutional investment and Cancer Center Support Grant resources to advance the CRTEC strategic priorities: 1) enhance support for trainee and faculty professional development and leadership growth, 2) collect and use data and metrics on education and training outcomes across the Consortium, 3) build education programs and pathways that reach trainees and teachers across our catchment area, and 4) maintain and embellish outreach and communication programs that increase awareness and build literacy around cancer and cancer research related careers. In the last funding period, we built a CRTEC infrastructure through the Fred Hutch Office of Education and Training that is closely integrated with similar efforts at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s which we use in the current funding period to support four aims. We will inspire young students to engage in hands-on science and enter scientific career pathways (Aim 1), provide exceptional training and support for graduate students and postgraduate fellows (postdoctoral and clinical) so they will be poised to obtain a range of careers in cancer research (Aim 2), maximize the success of junior faculty through mentoring, enhancing leadership skills, and professional development resources (Aim 3), and support innovative programing for education and training opportunities across the educational continuum in our Consortium, our catchment area, and beyond (Aim 4). To accomplish these aims we collaborate extensively with Community Outreach and Engagement to ensure access and engagement of communities throughout Washington state. We partner with leadership to enhance recruitment of scholars and support their retention by creating programming and support structures that recognize the unique needs of trainees and faculty.