Cancer Heterogeneity, Immunity, and Microenvironment (CHIME) Training Program

PROJECT SUMMARY This proposal requests renewed support for a robust and successful postdoctoral training program at the Salk Institute. Under the guidance of a new leadership team, co-Directors Drs. Susan Kaech and Geoffrey Wahl have renamed the Salk T32 Cancer Training Program the “Cancer Heterogeneity, Immunity, and Microenvironment (CHIME) Training Program,” reflecting: 1) a revitalized program now focused on cancer heterogeneity (within each tumor and across different cancer types and individuals), cancer immunity, and the tumor microenvironment, 2) the evolving and diverse expertise of the T32 Program Faculty and members of Salk’s NCI-designated Cancer Center, and 3) technologies now available in Salk’s Scientific Core Facilities that enable researchers to attack cancer from these diverse vantage points. Major research interests of the Program Faculty include cancer metabolism, immunology, autophagy, mitochondrial biology, genomic/epigenetic variability, and computational biology, which coalesce into the two research programs of the Salk Cancer Center: Genetic, Epigenetic & Immune Circuits, and Animal Models of Cancer & Therapeutics. The Salk Cancer Center includes 36 faculty members, 29 of whom are members of the T32 Program Faculty. There are ~160 postdoctoral trainees in the Salk Cancer Center, representing a robust and highly qualified applicant pool. The overall goal of the T32 Training Program is to provide Fellows with the research training and career development opportunities that will enable them to launch successful careers in cancer biology research. Training elements available exclusively to T32 Fellows (i.e., those that add value to their training experience over other Salk trainees) include: 1) a Pulling Back the Curtain Workshop – a partnership with the UCSD Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center that includes meetings with oncologists and clinical researchers, as well as participation in Cancer Rounds and Molecular Tumor Board Meetings, 2) a Tumor Heterogeneity Workshop delivered by Salk Core Directors and Faculty, 3) the ability to present their research-in-progress annually in the Cancer Center Trainee Research Seminar Series, 4) Chalk Talk Tutorials, 5) opportunities to organize the yearly T32 Cancer Symposium, and 6) frequent interactions with the co-Directors, the T32 Steering Committee, and the T32 External Advisory Board. Additional career development opportunities include courses on Cancer Biology, Modern Drug Discovery, and Responsible Conduct of Research, as well as workshops on Emerging Technologies, Grant Writing, Entering Mentoring, and Rigor and Reproducibility. The Salk Postdoctoral Office also provides a wide range of career development opportunities. This training program will support six postdoctoral trainees (PhD, MD/PhD, or MD) selected as T32 Fellows based on the strength and cancer relevance of their research proposal, their prior achievements, and an interview. Fellowships are for two years, with the potential for a third year if the Fellow demonstrates progress and has applied for external support. This rigorous Training Program will equip each T32 Fellow with the scientific and career skills necessary to establish themselves as successful, independent cancer researchers.