Outreach

The United States has led the world in drug discovery for over 50 years; however, the majority of scientific ideas that progress to clinical trials frequently come from Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Unfortunately, not all local universities and colleges have the resources to take their ideas forward to drug development and clinical trials. Through a partnership between University of California, Riverside (UCR) and City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center (CoHCCC), we aim to develop the resources, infrastructure, and training to help 1) UCR take their scientific ideas forward to develop therapeutic agents and ultimately initiate clinical trials and 2) mentor the next generation of drug development researchers and clinical trialists. To this end, the UCR–CoHCCC Research Education Core (REC) will integrate research experiences, curriculum development, and education activities that focus on 1) drug discovery, 2) resources to translate basic science discovery to drive drug development, and 3) training ethics and HIPPA. Aim 1: Pathways. Research pathways to increase capacity in drug development and clinical trials. 1.1 Undergraduate Pathway to Graduate School: UCR Student Summer Research Rotation at CoH. Rotate in CoH laboratories that 1) develop drugs and 2) conduct clinical trials 1.2 Postbaccalaureate Clinical Trial Training and Pathway to Medical School: UCR and catchment area postbac students are trained as clinical research coordinators (CRC) at CoH and then formally employed as CRCs; structured mentorship, MCAT prep. Will be provided following a successful medical school interview at UCR (postbac). 1.3 UCR Medical Student to Clinical Investigator: Summer rotation at CoH to conduct clinical trials and attend oncology clinics. Aim 2: Curriculum. These courses will introduce both UCR and CoH students and faculty to methods and innovation in drug development. 2.1 Innovation in Drug Discovery: Meet the Teams that Developed the Drugs: Precision Medicine, CAR-T cells, Stem Cell Therapy, Targeted Agents, Repurposed Drugs. Aim 3: Outreach Education and Resources. This Aim will 1) expose students, post-doctoral fellows, and early-stage investigators to career opportunities in drug development and clinical trials and 2) provide training and capacity building. 3.1 Careers in Drug Development and Clinical Trials (all levels) 3.2 Grant Writing: Developing a Successful Grant Proposal Targeting Drug Development. 3.3 Participate in Community Partnered Research: (All U54 investigators).