Microenvironmental Influences in Cancer

PROJECT SUMMARY This application seeks continuing support for the Microenvironmental Influences in Cancer Training Program (MICTP) at Vanderbilt University. Over the past 35 years, we have successfully recruited and trained excellent students and postdoctoral fellows, including many from groups underrepresented in science. Based on the strength of our training faculty, in the next five years, we will focus on training our students and postdoctoral fellows in emerging areas of the tumor microenvironment, including quantitative analysis of large datasets, tumor immunology, influences of bone and bone marrow cells, hypoxia and blood vessel normalization, spatial analyses of tumor interactions with the microenvironment, and extracellular vesicles. Overall, the MICTP training program encompasses a group of 30 faculty members from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine who are experts on the tumor microenvironment. The training program is conducted within a vibrant academic environment and is supported by close interactions with the Vanderbilt-Ingram Comprehensive Cancer Center. In addition to preceptor-specific laboratory instruction, each trainee receives program- specific training in the form of (1) Topical workshops, which introduce trainees to emerging fields of the tumor microenvironment; (2) Individualized training coursework that may include “Cancer Precision Medicine” with individualized clinical experience, (3) a monthly T-32 Scientific Forum with trainee works-in-progress talks and faculty presentations covering science and careers, (4) an annual MICTP mini-retreat, and (5) a five-session grant workshop (6) Training in Diversity and inclusion in collaboration with the Diversity office in the School of Medicine. Faculty preceptors also receive mentorship training including “Culturally Aware Mentoring”. Furthermore, predoctoral students are supported by an Interdisciplinary Graduate Program and the Program in Cancer Biology. Postdoctoral trainees are supported by an institutional Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, which provides both financial and academic support as well as career development advice and career development opportunities. Vanderbilt University and the VICC have committed a significant ongoing investment in training programs, core facilities, state-of- the-art laboratories, and equipment that help create a rich training environment for our trainees. Our program uniquely intersects with VU and VICC to provide training in a novel and critical area to create an essential workforce to understand the complexities of the microenvironmental influence on cancer development and progression, and to translate this information into more effective and less toxic approaches to the treatment and prevention of cancer.