Neuro-Oncology Translational Research Training Program (NOTR-TP)

ABSTRACT Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive form of malignant glioma, carrying a dismal prognosis of a median survival of around 14-20 months; while brain metastases (BMs) affect 10-25% of all adult patients with cancer, with an annual incidence of 98,000-170,000 new cases and rising. The dismal prognosis of malignant brain tumors along with lack of effective therapies emphasizes the need for comprehensive and multi- disciplinary training programs that prepare the next generation of brain cancer scientists. Neuro-oncology is multidisciplinary field involving coordinated research and clinical activities between oncology, neurology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, radiology, immunology, pharmacology, pathology, computational biology, neuroscience, biochemistry, and biostatistics. As such, there is tremendous need for translational research training programs that can cross these broad disciplines and provide mentoring and support for young investigators who will become future leaders in neuro-oncology research. The Neuro- Oncology Translational Research Training Program (NOTR-TP) at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) will establish a new multidisciplinary translational research program within Southern California with the goal of considerably expanding and significantly impacting brain tumor research and clinical care. The UCLA NOTR-TP will support a total of 4 trainees: 1 predoctoral and 3 postdoctoral trainees, including 1 basic scientist (PhD) postdoctoral trainee and 2 clinician-scientist (MD or MD/PhD) postdoctoral trainees, over 2-3 years. Twenty-two expert senior investigators spanning more than 10 different departments and 6 training programs will form the core faculty mentor group. These investigators have unique experience in mentoring pre- and post-doctoral fellows, have a remarkable publication record in neuro-oncology research, and have extensive NIH and extramural support. Outstanding applicants with a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD will be recruited with emphasis on identifying trainees from underrepresented backgrounds to promote diversity. The UCLA NOTR-TP Training Program is an comprehensive, multidisciplinary translational research program consisting of (1) a core curriculum of educational courses across a broad range of disciplines and scientific programs at UCLA; (2) research rotations and training in 2 or more neuro-oncology focused laboratories at UCLA; (3) participation in weekly brain tumor board meetings; (4) attendance and presentation at regular intramural (e.g. SPORE) and extramural scientific and educational meetings (e.g. SNO, ASCO, AACR, etc.); and (5) immersive and concentrated research in a laboratory or laboratories focused on translational neuro-oncology research. Trainees will learn critical thinking skills related to solving clinical and biological problems in neuro- oncology, gain an understanding of diverse areas in neuro-oncology research, as well as master experimental methods and proficiencies related to specific sub-disciplines within in the neuro-oncology research field.