Team-based Interdisciplinary Cancer Research Training Program

TEAM-BASED INTERDISCIPLINARY CANCER RESEARCH TRAINING PROGRAM PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT In advancing innovative ways to address complex cancer challenges, there is a growing trend to bring together scientists with knowledge and perspectives from different disciplines. The emphasis on developing relationships across scientific disciplines and adopting collaborative interdisciplinary approaches to scientific discovery has been recognized and shown to lead to significant advances in our fundamental understanding of cancer and its clinical management. In addition, it is abundantly clear that such advances rarely occur in isolation but typically represent team-based research endeavors. We believe that early exposure of trainees to interdisciplinary education and training coupled with team-based learning and research environments will better position them for successful careers in any area of cancer research. At present, there are no existing NCI-funded T32 programs devoted to team-based training. This concept is emphasized in our proposed Team-based Interdisciplinary Cancer Research Training (TICaRT) Program. The Program is based on four premises: 1) interdisciplinary training in team science will be critical in preparing future generations of cancer scientists; 2) team-based research translates into an improved training environment by providing trainees with access to scientists in different disciplines; 3) Florida needs a continuous supply of highly-trained cancer researchers including women, underrepresented minorities and individuals with disabilities; and 4) program graduates must have the skills to translate their knowledge and experience to achieve successful cancer research careers in academic, industry, or government positions. Our goal is to develop a cadre of outstanding independent investigators in a training program that encompasses cancer research across disciplines and unites laboratories, trainees, and mentors in areas, including dentistry, engineering, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, veterinary medicine, and communication. The TICaRT program capitalizes on our existing strengths at the University of Florida, including a core of well-established and productive investigators, outstanding research facilities, an exemplary record of collaboration, excellent institutional commitment, and a culture of successful mentorship of graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and early stage faculty. We have assembled a cohesive group of 29 basic science and clinical faculty from 22 departments, 9 Colleges, and 10 PhD Programs. Upon entering the TICaRT Program, each member of the trainee team will create and implement a tailored training plan under the guidance of his/her faculty mentors. Trainees will achieve their research and career development objectives through a combination of didactic, research, and professional development activities. The TICaRT Program requests NCI support for 1 pre-doctoral and 3 post-doctoral trainees; support for 2 additional pre-doctoral trainees is pledged by our institution. The TICaRT T32 is led by a Director and two Co-Directors, who will obtain input from Internal and External Advisory Boards, and ongoing program evaluations and quality improvement will be in place to ensure the long-term success of the trainees.