Genomics Research Experience for Master's Students (GEMS) Fellowship

ABSTRACT The last decade has seen an exponential increase in multimodal cancer -omics data due to the development of high throughput cutting-edge technologies that capture DNA, RNA, protein and metabolite level data. There is a critical need for training the next generation of data scientists in genomics who can be tasked to translate the complex integration of these high dimensional data to deliver precision oncology using sophisticated statistical and computational methods and tools. Due to growing enticements from industry, there is significant threat of “brain drain” from academia that is especially prevalent among those with data science and high dimensional computational skills. This proposal seeks to develop the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Genomics Research Experience for Master’s Students (GEMS) Fellowship Program, a structured and specialized program that targets master’s level trainees in biostatistics, statistics, data science, computer science or related quantitative discipline (6 per summer over 5 years). The GEMS program is a hands-on, 12-week immersive and interdisciplinary summer research experience in cancer genomics with several components that make the program unique: access to the world's leading resources of cancer genomics data and tools, a quantitative and scientific dual-mentoring model, pairing with a peer advisor, and a lecture/mini workshop series on cutting-edge genomic technologies and high dimensional data analysis given by program faculty who are world experts. The fellows will gain experience working with whole-genome and whole-transcriptome next-generation sequencing data and obtain a real understanding of high-dimensional data analysis, advanced statistical genomics concepts and modeling techniques, parallel computing and reproducible research paradigms. This combination of large data resources, computational infrastructure, didactic lecture and hands-on workshop series from program faculty creates a unique environment in which the following aims will be pursued: 1) develop a genomics research internship program that annually recruits 6 students to provide them a 12-week immersive hands-on research training experience addressing cutting edge cancer genomics research questions; 2) develop and facilitate a bi-directional evaluation plan to provide timely assessment and feedback for the participants and their mentors; and 3) track participants' career development over time to evaluate the success of the program and to support program alumni to pursue quantitative careers in genomics. GEMS will be co-led by 2 PDs at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center with long track records of impactful research, mentorship, and successful knowledge translation. The dual team mentoring approach will prepare students for the inter-disciplinary translational science workforce and will learn to become critical thinkers. GEMS will prepare trainees for impactful careers as -omics data scientists and will obtain work-force training in genomics cancer medicine.