Career Enhancement Program

ABSTRACT The MSK SPORE in Leukemia is dedicated to supporting the ongoing development of talented researchers who are pursuing independent translational research programs in leukemia. The Career Enhancement Program (CEP) will provide research awards to support the scholarly development of 1) junior faculty from basic or clinical research backgrounds pursuing research related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of leukemia; 2) new or established faculty in other subject areas who wish to attain additional training and experience that will allow them to address areas of unmet need related to leukemia research; and 3) senior postdoctoral fellows who will continue their research program in leukemia and who are within one year of a faculty appointment. The SPORE PIs, Drs. Omar Abdel-Wahab and Martin Tallman, will oversee the program and each brings considerable knowledge and expertise in basic, clinical, and translational science to CEP activities. We will recruit up to two qualified investigators per year to receive CEP funding, with possibility of renewal for a second year. Candidates may be suggested by members of the SPORE Executive Committee, Project Leaders/Core Directors, the Internal Advisory Board, or at the recommendation of collaborating individuals where appropriate. To encourage scientific and social diversity among our applicants, we will also reach outside established research networks and issue a Research Funding Announcement (RFA) annually to research departments across the Tri-institutional area (MSK, Weill Cornell Medical College, Rockefeller University). We will consider candidates pursuing research including but not limited to cell biology, computational biology, experimental therapeutics, molecular biology, genetics, immunology, hematology, oncology, pathology, and medical informatics. Applicants will be evaluated on their research proposal as well as a career development plan, written in coordination with a proposed mentor. Successful awardees will be evaluated monthly on their research progress and career development milestones achieved. The CEP is committed to supporting diversity among our leukemia research faculty and will work closely with the institution's Office of Diversity Programs to promote the career advancement of women and underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in our healthcare research community.