Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC)

CANCER RESEARCH TRAINING AND EDUCATION COORDINATION (CRTEC) ABSTRACT The UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) has a strong commitment to exceptional cancer research education, training, and mentoring, dedicating significant effort and resources to benefit trainees. Trainee career development occurs throughout the educational continuum, from K-12 to junior faculty, to provide future cohorts of talented cancer investigators. The JCCC Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) Unit works tirelessly to develop, implement, and enhance Center education and training activities. CRTEC is led by Director Maie St. John, MD, PhD (STT), JCCC Associate Director for Education, Training and Mentoring, and CTREC Co-Director, William Lowry, PhD (CSCB). CRTEC Directors lead and are guided by a dedicated CRTEC Steering Committee. Committee members include Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) leaders, members from all six JCCC Research Programs, and additional Center and institutional educators who possess a wide range of skills and perspectives. CRTEC aims to spark trainee interest and creativity in many interdisciplinary cancer education and training settings with innovative programs that span didactics, seminars, workshops, and networking events. CRTEC cultivates partnerships with UCLA Schools, Departments, Centers, and Institutes, and with educational organizations throughout the region and beyond. Since 2019, CRTEC achievements include creation of a JCCC Trainee Membership category with a trainee web portal for easy access to cancer training resources; an increase in NIH F- and K-awards to JCCC trainees by 48% and 100%, respectively; development of comprehensive systems for trainee tracking, outcomes reporting, and data analyses; expansion of collaborative education and training workshops with the UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI); an increase in collaborative support of six fully cancer-related NIH T32 training programs, including four from the NCI; and co-hosting the 2023 CABTRAC Annual Conference. A Center priority in the JCCC Strategic Plan is to ensure broad access to all Center training and education programs. To guide progress, CRTEC has three Specific Aims: (1) To enhance existing and build additional infrastructure that supports all trainees and programs across the continuum, using outcomes tracking and analysis to optimize program performance; (2) To develop inspirational programs for K-12 and undergraduate students that attract future cancer researchers; and (3) To create and deliver education, mentorship, and career development programs for graduate students, fellows, and junior faculty. In the next period, CRTEC will expand NIH F- and K- grant application assistance for JCCC Fellowship recipients; grow work with the UCLA Center for Community College Partnership to enable more community college students to partake in cancer training pathways; expand clinical research training with the JCCC Clinical Research Unit (CRU); and support junior faculty career development with additional leadership workshops and skills development activities.